The T:BUC Strategy reflects the NI Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. The relevant strategic aim relating to young people is:
‘To continue to improve attitudes amongst our young people and to build a community where they can play a full and active role in building good relations.’
The T:BUC Camps Programme is funded by the Executive Office and administered by the Education Authority.
About
Beginning in summer 2015, the programme provided a range of opportunities for young people aged 11 to 19 across Northern Ireland to come together to build positive relationships across what have become divided parts of our community. The Camps are about challenging historic positions, encouraging debate and discussion and providing a way for young people to get to know each other, try new experiences, have fun and help to build longer term relationships. Camps must be delivered on a cross-community basis, with good relations learning at the heart of every camp.
Over £8 million of funding has been awarded to date. 645 Camps have been delivered to approx 22,000 young people. It is anticipated that a further 113 Camps will be delivered in 2021/22.
T:BUC Camps Programme 2023/24
The 2023/24 T:BUC Camps Programme has now opened. The closing date for applications is 4pm on 31 January 2023. Any awards of funding are subject to the availability of budget.
EA Support Workshops
The Education Authority will host 6 funding support workshops and any group who would like to deliver a Camp in 2023/24 is encouraged to sign up for one of these workshops. These workshops are a great opportunity for all groups, whether considering delivering a camp for the first time or a returning group, to find out more about the programme and to gain support to make a high-quality application. The workshops are also an opportunity to provide support in programming, resources and developing partnerships.
These events are due to take place on the following dates and locations:
- Thursday 1 December 2022, 1-3pm Magherafelt Youth Centre
- Monday 5 December 2022, 10-12.30pm Broughshane Youth Centre
- Monday 5 December 2022, 4-5.30pm Online (Schools Only)
- Tuesday 6 December 2022, 1-3pm Derry Youth Office
- Tuesday 6 December 2022, 5-7pm Mountcollyer Youth Centre
- Tuesday 17 January 2023, 11-12.30pm Online
Registration to an Education Authority Support Workshop can be made via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/education-authority-funding-workshop-events-18191285824
Applications to T:BUC Camps 2023/24 Programme can be made via: www.eanifunding.org.uk/tbuc
T:BUC Camps Programme 2022/23
The 2022/23 T:BUC Camps Programme will open for applications on 22 November 2021 at 4pm. The closing date for applications is 4pm on 31 January 2022.
EA Support Workshops
Due to the current covid-19 pandemic, this year’s support workshops will be delivered remotely.
The Education Authority will host 10 support workshops remotely to help support groups in developing good quality applications and provide support in programming, resources and developing partnerships.
These events are due to take place on the following dates:
- Wednesday 1st December 2021, 11-1pm
- Monday 6th December 2021, 7-9pm
- Tuesday 7th December 2021, 10-12pm
- Thursday 9th December 2021, 11-1pm
- Tuesday 14th December 2021, 7-9pm
- Monday 10th January 2022, 11-1pm
- Wednesday 12th January 2022, 7-9pm (SCHOOLS ONLY)
- Saturday 15th January 2022, 10-12pm
- - Thursday 20th January 2022, 5-7pm
- Monday 24th January 2022, 7-9pm
Registration to an Education Authority Support Workshop can be made via www.eafunding.eventbrite.co.uk
Applications to T:BUC Camps 2022/23 Programme can be made via: www.eanifunding.org.uk/tbuc
T:BUC Camps Programme 2021/22
In 2021/22 as the Programme builds from the challenges of delivering during the pandemic, 113 groups are currently delivering T:BUC Camps.
T:BUC Camps Programme 2020/21
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020/21 was a very challenging year for groups to deliver with the ever changing guidelines and social distancing measures in place.
Groups were required to find alternative and innovative ways to deliver, with many groups moving to online platforms for the majority of their programme.
As a result, 75 groups successfully delivered T:BUC Camps in 2020/21.
Results of the 2020/21 evaluation showed that:
- 89% of participants felt more favourable towards people from a different religious/community background;
- 88.4% of participants felt more favourable towards people from a different ethnic background;
- 75.7% of participants now have a better understanding of other cultural traditions and backgrounds;
- 85.3% of participants feel more strongly that the culture and traditions of different religious backgrounds add to the richness and diversity of NI;
- 84.6% of participants feel more strongly that the culture and traditions of different ethnic backgrounds add to the richness and diversity of Northern Ireland; and
- 90.7% of participants plan to stay in contact with friends made at camp after the project ends
A selection of short articles on groups that delivered T:BUC in 2020/21 can be viewed via the link below:
A list of the funding awarded for the T:BUC Camps Programme 2020/21 can be accessed via the Education Authority website.
Camps in the Community 2020/21
A virtual event was held to celebrate the completion of the T:BUC Camps Programme 2020/21.
Previously, T:BUC Camps in the Community events would bring young people aged 11-19 years of age from different Camp projects together for a larger residential experience where they would engage in good relations activities and team building exercises, and have an opportunity to share their different experiences of T:BUC Camps whilst learning about different cultures and issues relevant to young people.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and in adherence to social distancing guidelines, this year’s celebration was held online.
With many young people sharing a laptop or smartphone screen to watch and participate, it is difficult to give an exact figure of the number who took part in the event.
However, the Education Authority (EA) estimate that at least 400 young people took part in Camps in The Community this year, which is very encouraging.
The compere for the event was comedian Andrew Ryan and included contributions from actor Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (Michelle from Derry Girls) who spoke about her acting career and how she dealt with rejection, a Good Relations Quiz, craft demonstration (attendees had been provided with materials in advance allowing them to follow the demonstration) and a magic show.
Each participant also received a goodie bag including T:BUC branded items such as a hat, reusable water bottle, blue tooth speakers and notebook and pen.
T:BUC Camps in the Community 2019-20
T:BUC Camps in the Community events bring young people from different Camp projects together for a larger residential experience.
Participants are engaged in good relations activities and team building exercises, and have an opportunity to share their different experiences of T:BUC Camps whilst learning about different cultures and issues relevant to young people. Participants are also given the opportunity to plan social action projects to deliver in their own communities.
Three residential Camps in the Community events were delivered to 331 young people from across Northern Ireland between September and November 2019 at Corrymeela in Ballycastle, the Share Centre in Lisnaskea and at Greenhill YMCA in Newcastle. A final day event was held at Parliament Buildings in Stormont in February 2020. 120 young people and 25 invited guests, including Junior Minister Gordon Lyons, were in attendance.
During each event participants are also given the opportunity to plan social action projects to deliver within their own communities.
The videos below showcase 2019/20 T:BUC Camps in the Community events.
T:BUC Camps Programme 2018-19
130 Camps received funding in 2018-19, you can find details of the programmes and awards on the EA website via the link below:
T:BUC Camps in the Community 2018-19
The participants are given time to plan social action projects to be delivered in their local communities. The video below showcases these projects.
The video's below are of T:BUC Camps in the Community events. The first one was held on 6 and 7 October at the Share Centre in Lisnaskea. The second one was held on 20 and 21 October 2018, at Greenhill YMCA in Newcastle Co. Down.
T:BUC Camps Programme 2017-18
113 T:BUC Camps were delivered within the 2017-18 programme with 4,200 young people participating. The following infographic shows the key findings of the evaluation.
The full evaluation of the 2017/18 programme is via the link below:
T:BUC Camps Programme 2016-17
104 camps received funding in 2016/17, details of these camps can be found via the link below:
Summer Camps Pilot Programme 2015 – Evaluation
A full and independent evaluation of the Summer Camps Pilot Programme 2015 has been carried out by the Strategic Investment Board (SIB). You can view the Together Building a United Community Summer Camps - Final Evaluation Report below:
Equality Impact Screening and Statement of Impact
The Section 75 Screening Form of the T:BUC Camps Programme is available at the link below:
If you would like more information about T:BUC Camps Programme, please contact the T:BUC Camps Team.
Rural Impact Statement
It is intended that the Summer Camps Programme would have a positive impact on young people living in both urban and rural areas. In order to rural proof this policy, we have developed a Rural Impact Statement for the programme, which can be viewed via the link below: