What Springboard Opportunities Limited does

Springboard Opportunities Limited is a registered charity and private company (NI Charity No NIC101249; Company No NI027175) founded in 1992 and headquartered at 112-114 Donegall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland. The organisation delivers youth development, peacebuilding and good-relations programmes for young people aged 14-24 (with some programmes extending to age 30) facing disadvantage, social exclusion or marginalisation, particularly those affected by the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland (Cavan and Monaghan). Core programmes include Journeys, HeadStart, YouthStart, M-Space, GameChanger, Ignite, Gener8, Fuse, Xceler8, Rise, Fusion+ Belfast and North West, Wall2Wall, Directions, TikTok Creative Academy, Apprenticeships NI, and Our Lives, Our Legacy, plus the consortium-delivered ACCEPT programme.

The organisation operates a grant-funded, non-commercial business model. It receives no revenue from participant fees; programmes are delivered free of charge to participants aged 14-24. Funding is sourced primarily from government grants — PEACEPLUS (a €1.14bn cross-border programme administered by SEUPB), the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, the NI Department for the Economy, The Executive Office NI, and Belfast City Council — supplemented by charitable foundations including Spirit of 2012, Comic Relief, the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, Dormant Accounts NI and the International Fund for Ireland. Programmes are delivered directly by Springboard staff and through a partner delivery network spanning schools, community organisations and statutory bodies (with 38% of engagement via schools, 18% via voluntary/statutory referrals and 13% via word-of-mouth).

The technology footprint is intentionally minimal: the organisation is not a technology product company and uses only basic digital tools (Google Analytics, mainstream social media platforms, video production) to support programme delivery, communications and impact reporting. There is no proprietary platform or software product. Springboard employs 11 staff and has, over 34+ years, worked with more than 15,500 individuals across 400+ programmes, with 526 participants supported in 2024/25 and outcome metrics including 82% progression to education/employment/training and 97% participant recommendation rate. Leadership transitioned in November 2024 from Angila Chada MBE to Steph O'Rourke as Executive Director.

Name

Springboard Opportunities Limited

Legal name

Springboard Opportunities Ltd.

Website

https://springboard-opps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Springboard Opportunities Limited is a Northern Ireland-based registered charity founded in 1992 that delivers youth development and peacebuilding programmes for disadvantaged young people aged 14-24, funded primarily through government grants and charitable foundations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth and Community Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Youth development programmes
• Peacebuilding and reconciliation
• Good relations initiatives
• Employability and skills training
• Community youth work

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding & Grants: Springboard operates as a charity funded primarily through government grants and EU funding programmes. Major funders include PEACEPLUS (€1.14 billion cross-border programme), UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, Department for the Economy Northern Ireland, The Executive Office NI, and Belfast City Council. Funding is received for specific youth programmes targeting disadvantaged young people, good relations work, and peacebuilding initiatives.
2. Foundation & Trust Funding: Additional revenue streams from charitable foundations including Spirit of 2012, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, Comic Relief, International Fund for Ireland, and Dormant Accounts NI. These grants support specific programme delivery, research initiatives, and community projects.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Springboard Opportunities Limited is a registered charity that delivers free youth development, employability, and peacebuilding programmes to young people aged 14–24 across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Cavan and Monaghan. Its core offerings include the Journeys capacity-building programme, HeadStart skills programme, YouthStart employability support, Apprenticeships NI vocational training, M-Space mental health and wellbeing services, Fusion+ cross-community programmes, and the Wall2Wall peace barriers leadership project. Programmes are delivered directly by Springboard staff and through partner organisations, with all services provided at no cost to participants and funded by government grants and charitable foundations.

Product overview

Springboard Opportunities Limited is a youth development and peacebuilding charity organisation offering a portfolio of community programmes rather than a unified technology product. The core offering consists of multiple distinct programmes targeting young people aged 13-30 across Northern Ireland and border counties. The main programmes include: Journeys (a capacity-building programme with sub-programmes Ignite, GameChanger, Gener8, Fuse, Xceler8, and Rise for different age groups and needs), HeadStart (skills and employability programme), YouthStart (employability support for 16-30 year olds), Apprenticeships NI (Level 2/3 vocational qualifications), Fusion+ (cross-community programmes in Belfast and North West), Wall2Wall (peace barriers leadership project), M-Space (mental health and wellbeing support), Directions (youth-led social action), TikTok Creative Academy (creative industries), and Our Lives, Our Legacy (Good Friday Agreement legacy exploration). Most programmes focus on good relations, personal development, citizenship, community participation, health and wellbeing, and employability skills. The organisation operates primarily in Northern Ireland with some cross-border reach to Cavan and Monaghan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Journeys: A targeted capacity-building programme for young people aged 14-24 who face significant disadvantage, focusing on good relations, personal development, citizenship and employability. Part of PEACEPLUS.
• HeadStart
• YouthStart
• GameChanger
• Ignite
• Gener8
• Fuse
• Xceler8
• Rise

Products and services

• Journeys Targeted capacity-building programme for young people aged 14-24 facing disadvantage, exclusion or marginalisation. Focuses on good relations, personal development, citizenship and employability across Belfast, Limavady, Derry, Cavan and Monaghan. Delivered as part of the PEACEPLUS cross-community programme.
• HeadStart Skills for Life and Work programme supporting young people aged 16-17 (or 18-23 if care-experienced or with a disability) to build personal and employability skills, gain qualifications, and prepare for employment or training. Participants earn £40/week plus bonuses.
• YouthStart Employability programme for young people aged 16-30 providing development opportunities to work out career aspirations through 1-1 support, group work and training tailored to individual needs.
• Apprenticeships NI Apprenticeship programme offering Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Youth Work and Business Administration for individuals aged 16+ in Northern Ireland, combining practical work experience with professional development.
• M-Space 2023-2024 Mental health and wellbeing support programme engaging over 500 young people through recovery-focused services, working with Mental Health Ambassadors and peer networks.
• M-Space 2025 Wellbeing support programme providing increased mental health services for young people, engaging and supporting 115 young people through recovery-focused services.
• Wall2Wall Leadership project for young people aged 16-20 from Shankill and Clonard areas of Belfast, engaging them in conversations around peace barriers with an overseas study visit to Cyprus.
• Fusion+ North West Self-development programme for young people in Greater Limavady/Coleraine area to explore culture and traditions, meet others from different communities, and design and deliver service projects.
• Fusion+ Belfast Self-development programme for young people aged 14-17 in Belfast to explore culture and traditions, meet others from different communities through workshops, teambuilding and residentials.
• Directions Youth-led programme for 16-25 year olds interested in meeting others from different backgrounds, building personal and employability skills, and working on social action projects.
• TikTok Creative Academy Creative industries programme providing industry insight, access to creative professionals, portfolio building, creative CV creation and interview preparation for young people aged 16-24. Delivered in partnership with TikTok and Catch 22.
• Our Lives, Our Legacy Programme marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, bringing young people together across the sectarian divide to explore the legacy of The Troubles and build connections between divided communities.
• Challenging Prejudice Development programme for civic and community leaders from Derry/Londonderry and Strabane focusing on identity, difference, Holocaust Education and travel to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
• JobWorks+ Education, training and employment programme supporting young people aged 16-24 to co-design development plans, gain qualifications, and connect to employers through world of work activities. Archived programme.
• GameChanger Programme for young people facing barriers to choose their own path, develop coping strategies and form positive relationships through needs-led group work and one-to-one support. Sub-programme within the Journeys portfolio.
• Ignite Programme for young people aged 14-17 facing exclusion, disadvantage or marginalisation, helping them build positive relationships, strengthen self-confidence and develop a sense of purpose. Sub-programme within the Journeys portfolio.
• Gener8 Youth-led programme for 16-24-year-olds enabling participants to take control of their own journey and shape the programme. Includes OCN Level 2 qualifications, residentials, and Journeys Camp participation. Sub-programme within the Journeys portfolio.
• Fuse Innovative programme for young people aged 16-24 with a passion for creativity, using experiential learning to enable participants to explore new perspectives through community projects. Sub-programme within the Journeys portfolio.
• Xceler8 Leadership programme for young people aged 16-24 enabling them to gain initiative skills and connect with like-minded individuals and organisations, completing Level 2 OCN Youth Leadership qualification. Sub-programme within the Journeys portfolio.
• Rise Programme for young people aged 16-24 wanting to challenge themselves in outdoor environments and build resilience through alternative therapies and adventurous approaches. Sub-programme within the Journeys portfolio.
• NextGen Youth Advisory Group programme enabling young people aged 16-25 to shape Springboard, reflect lived experience, and contribute to Springboard activities through leadership development.
• 14-NOW Community empowerment programme supporting Creggan, Monkstown and Greater Limavady communities to design and lead on local activities, focusing on wellbeing, disability perception, youth empowerment and social connection. Directly engaged 11,000+ participants (2018-2021).
• ACCEPT Programme Cross-community and cross-border peace-building programme focused on community cohesion, participation and trust, engaging over 3,300 participants across Northern Ireland.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of participants were happy with their self-confidence and communication skills
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ACCEPT Programme PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Springboard is a partner in the ACCEPT (Achieving Community Cohesion through Engagement Participation and Trust) Programme, delivered by Northern Ireland Alternatives in partnership with Include Youth and Beyond Skin. PEACEPLUS funded with 3,300+ expected participants.
• YouthStart ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2023Seven youth work charities consortium led by YouthAction NI: Springboard Opportunities, The Prince's Trust NI, Include Youth, Start360, NI Youth Forum, and Bytes. Consortium received £6m UK Government funding through UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support 2,200+ young people across Northern Ireland (2023-2025).
• Roe Valley Residents AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey delivery partner for the Journeys programme, working with young people in the Limavady area. Also a community partner for 14-NOW programme.
• Creggan EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery partner for Journeys programme in the Creggan area of Derry/Londonderry. Community partner for 14-NOW project working on local community responses.
• Cavan & Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-border delivery partner for Journeys programme, bringing the programme to young people in the Republic of Ireland border counties of Cavan and Monaghan.
• Northern Ireland ScreenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on documentary 'Beyond Twenty Five' exploring the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement through the experiences of young people. Provided archival footage through Digital Film Archive.
• Old Library TrustminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner for 14-NOW project in Creggan area, delivering local activities responding to community needs.
• Monkstown Boxing ClubminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner for 14-NOW project in Monkstown area, supporting local residents and empowerment activities.
• Northern Ireland AlternativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead organisation for ACCEPT Programme with Springboard as delivery partner. Focused on restorative practice, creative expression and community participation.
• Include YouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth charity partner in ACCEPT Programme and YouthStart consortium, providing services to young people across Northern Ireland.
• Beyond SkinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organisation partner in ACCEPT Programme focused on peacebuilding and intercultural work.
• Rural ActionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFunding partner for Directions programme, a youth-led initiative for 16-25 year olds in Greater Belfast.
• Skilled NIminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organisation supporting HeadStart programme delivery, providing vocational training and placement support.
• Journey FreeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for HeadStart residential activity, providing adventure learning and team building experiences.
• InFocusminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResearch and evaluation partner that produced 14-NOW final report and co-hosted theory of change webinar with Springboard.
• Anaka Women's CollectiveminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity organisation that delivered diversity and inclusion masterclass for Journeys programme participants, sharing stories from refugee, asylum seeking and migrant backgrounds.
• Theatre of WitnessminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPeacebuilding organisation that delivered masterclass on storytelling and reconciliation for Journeys programme participants.
• Share Discovery VillageminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVenue partner for annual Journeys Camp, hosting over 140 participants at residential facility in Enniskillen.
• Together CIC / ArtsektaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivered 'Small Worlds' workshop exploring migration and diversity, hosted at Artsekta venue for Journeys programme participants.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Include Youth: NI charity supporting young people in custody, leaving care and other vulnerable groups; co-delivery partner with Springboard on the ACCEPT Programme and fellow YouthStart consortium member. Direct peer working in NI youth services.
• Bytes NI: NI youth organisation providing training and personal development for young people not in education, employment or training; YouthStart consortium partner with Springboard. Direct peer in NEET and youth employability services.
• Northern Ireland Alternatives: Lead organisation of the ACCEPT Programme alongside Springboard, focused on restorative practice, creative expression and community participation for at-risk young people across NI. Direct peer in post-conflict youth work.
• Start360: NI charity supporting young people through mentoring, youth work and conflict-related programmes; YouthStart consortium partner with Springboard. Direct peer in the NI youth work space.
• NI Youth Forum: Youth-led advocacy organisation amplifying the voices of young people aged 11-25 across Northern Ireland; YouthStart consortium partner alongside Springboard. Direct peer in NI youth participation and voice.
• YouthAction Northern Ireland: Lead organisation of the YouthStart consortium alongside Springboard, working across Northern Ireland on youth development, employability and participation programmes for 14-30 year olds. Direct peer in the NI youth work space.
• The Prince's Trust Northern Ireland: Regional arm of the Prince's Trust focused on youth employability, personal development and training for 11-30 year olds in NI; YouthStart consortium partner alongside Springboard. Direct peer in NI youth development.

Broad incumbents

• Catch22: UK-wide social business delivering employability, education and youth justice services; partnered with TikTok to deliver the TikTok Creative Academy, which Springboard also runs. Broader incumbent in UK youth and social services.
• The Prince's Trust: UK-wide youth charity supporting 11-30 year olds through training, employability and personal development programmes; operates NI arm as a competitor and consortium partner. Broader incumbent in the same youth development space.

Regional players

• Youth Work Ireland: Federation of youth work organisations across the Republic of Ireland supporting young people through targeted programmes; comparable in mission and youth work methodology to Springboard but operates primarily in ROI rather than NI. Regional peer across the border.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/springboardopp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWN5qAQQTBUPDPD20P3c1CA
• Facebookfacebook.com/springboardopps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/springboard-opportunities-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/springboardopps

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Springboard Opportunities Limited