Sustaining Connections : The Story Exchange Project
The Story Exchange Project evolved as a result of community needs analysis conducted through College Connect.
The initiative was a partnership between the Mountjoy Prison and Maynooth University Partnership working in cooperation with Gaisce – The President’s
Award. Young people incarcerated in Mountjoy Prison’s Progression Unit and young people in Maynooth University, were brought together in Mountjoy Prison over the course of 6 months to work towards a Gaisce award.
Community Needs Analysis with Higher Education Traveller & Roma Students
This report offers detailed, evidence based insights into the lived experiences of Traveller and Roma students currently studying in our institutions. Whilst the report reflects the opportunities that Traveller and Roma students aspire to for their higher education journey, it highlights the multiple, intersecting barriers faced by these students—barriers that include systemic racism, discrimination, financial hardship, and intergenerational educational disadvantage. The report’s recommendations are both practical and actionable, aligning closely with current national policy and offering a clear framework for institutions seeking to deliver meaningful change.
Community Needs Analysis with Prisoners and Former Prisoners
This Community Needs Analysis (CNA) is a pilot study carried out by College Connect, in collaboration with the Pathways Centre for Prisoners and Former Prisoners. The report was carried out from April to October 2019. Participative, experiential, and creative methods were used to explore the views and insights of 34 participants on the factors that may either encourage or discourage participation or progression in higher education. The research generates key insights on the barriers experienced by this group as well as highlighting areas where action is required.
Without the Help… I Would Have Dropped Out
Without the Help… I Would Have Dropped Out – Evaluation of the 1916 Bursary Fund for the Midlands East North-Dublin (MEND) Region was carried out by College Connect to document the impact of the 1916 Bursary funding had on successful applicants in the MEND Cluster from 2018 to 2022.
The 1916 Bursary Fund is a targeted funding scheme that aims to provide support for economically marginalised students from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
The 1916 Bursary Fund was first announced by the Minister for Education and Skills on the 30th of December 2017 to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising, with the purpose of encouraging participation and success by students from sections of society that are significantly underrepresented in higher education. The Fund is administered under strand two of the Higher Education Authority’s’ Programme for Access to Higher Education.
A Community Needs Analysis With FET Students
This Community Needs Analysis (CNA) was carried out by College Connect, in collaboration with Dublin City University (DCU). The research was carried out from March to July 2022 using participative and creative approaches to encourage collaborative leadership and engagement throughout all stages of the research process. The research process engaged with 58 further education students in seven Further Education Colleges in the Dublin/DCU catchment area to find out how better to support their educational progression to higher education.
Community Needs Analysis with Refugees
Community Needs Analysis with Refugees & People in the Asylum Process – Exploring Access & Barriers to Higher Education in Ireland
This Community Needs Analysis (CNA) was carried out by College Connect in collaboration with the Irish Refugee Council. The research was carried out from October 2020 to March 2021. Participative, peer-to-peer, and creative methods were used to explore the views and insights of over 100 participants with lived experience of the protection process on the access issues and barriers that affect their participation or progression in further or higher education. The research generates key insights on the experiences of this community of people and puts forward a series of recommendations.