Our Approach
What about the boys? In 2026, The Shona Project is continuing to develop a programme for boys with the aim of fostering open and honest conversations about masculinity, leadership, and power; and equipping young men with the skills and perspectives necessary to build respectful, inclusive communities.
The programme has just completed its first pilot year, pulling together best practice from our international colleagues, and is supported by existing research and our own robust evaluation framework.
In our pilot year:
79% of students found the workshop engaging
100% of teachers rated it as relevant for their school
With every teacher saying they would welcome MARK back.
Our facilitators are experienced in youth work, receive specialist training, and are Garda vetted. They are supported by our team as well as mentors and advisors.
What is MARK?
MARK is a school-based pilot programme developed by The Shona Project. It is a facilitated space where boys and young men can speak honestly about growing up today, without performance, pressure, or prescription. Many boys carry unspoken expectations around strength, success, sport, appearance and fitting in.
MARK shares the same values and credibility as The Shona Project, with a distinct approach designed specifically for boys and young men. The programme is designed around what we know works best for boys from existing research: safe, respectful environments that focus on strengths, identity and real-life experiences.
MARK is not about fixing boys or telling them what kind of men to be. Instead, it uses calm, age-appropriate discussion to help students reflect on the pressures they face, including peer expectations and online influence, and to recognise that they have choices in how they respond.
Why Now?
Schools increasingly recognise that many boys:
Carry unspoken pressures around strength, success, appearance and comparison
Are shaped by powerful peer, sporting and online narratives
Lack safe, structured spaces to speak honestly without judgment
MARK supports schools by:
Complementing existing SPHE, CSPE, Wellbeing, and Bí Cinealta Framework
Strengthening emotional literacy, empathy and peer understanding
Providing a calm, respectful space that boys engage with meaningfully
How Does MARK Work?
Each MARK workshop is designed to reduce resistance, build trust and support meaningful engagement.
The session opens with a clear welcome and shared ground rules, followed by light icebreakers that highlight shared experience without pressure to speak.
Students then explore everyday pressures and expectations through small group activities, before reflecting together on common patterns and unspoken social rules. The workshop closes with quiet individual reflection and a clear message that reinforces awareness, agency and choice.
The workshop is:
One 90-minute session during school time
Discussion-based and age-appropriate
Facilitated by a trained MARK facilitator (who has been Garda Vetted and holds all child protection and safety requirements)
Supported by a teacher in the room
What We Require from Your School
Pilot schools are key partners in the development of MARK. Participating schools are asked to provide feedback to help inform the programme’s national rollout.
Teacher presence for the full session (supports safety and engagement)
Student feedback at the end of the workshop (short, age-appropriate survey on students' experiences of the session)
Teacher feedback at the end of the workshop (teacher experiences and insights to school experiences)
Optional follow-up phone call with a Shona Team member
If you would like to find out more about MARK, and how your school can get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Education Team.
Our Pilot Evaluation
What did the students think of the MARK Pilot?
65% outlined a clear personal takeaway or intended change.
69% discovered something new about thoughts and pressures.
79% of those found the workshop engaging.
94% felt comfortable taking part and sharing their views.
72% better understood pressures boys face today.
80% said the facilitator helped them understand the topic.
In their own words…
"Other people had the same thoughts as me — I wasn't alone"
"I can reshape masculinity into something I like"
"It made me feel more confident about speaking about mental health"
"I'll be more open and talk to people more going forward"
What did the teachers think of the MARK Pilot?
100% want to re-engage with Mark, 83% want more than a one-off workshop.
92% found the workshop style appropriate and engaging for students.
100% found the topic relevant to their students.
100% teachers confirmed MARK aligned with at least one of the key school frameworks; SPHE, Wellbeing, Bí Cineálta
In their own words…
“I believe it was eye-opening for many of the boys, they may never have touched on this topic before.”
“A handful definitely got some things off their chest that maybe they hadn’t before.”
“The facilitator managed to keep the group quiet and engaged, when they’re usually rowdy.”