About
Being a young woman in Ireland can be really tough….
Here at Shona, we celebrate women from all over the world, those who succeed and those who overcome, those who lead and those who think, those who win and those who learn. We share our stories so that we don’t feel alone. We laugh, learn, try and cry together.
Figuring out who we are, and where we fit into this world is hard, and there are so many challenges; anxiety, depression, body image, self-esteem, boys, family drama, social media, exams stress, hormones, sexuality, relationships, bullying and feeling like we don’t fit in.
The world (and Instagram) tells us we should have it all figured out by now, and that we should be perfect, which none of us will ever be. Really, we should be helping each other to be smart, strong and, above all else, kind.
When girls support each other, there’s no limit to what we can achieve
We know exactly how it feels to struggle and feel alone, because we’ve been there. We believe that we all need to give ourselves a break, and take care of ourselves, and of each other, to celebrate each other’s differences, and to support each other so we can all achieve everything our quirky little hearts desire.
Whether you identify as a cis- or trans girl or as a non-binary individual—wherever you are on your journey of gender expression and identity—you are welcome here.
Who we are?
The Shona Project is a registered charity (RCN: 20206722). Company registration number: 592520.
The Shona Project is a movement that helps girls in Ireland believe in themselves and each other.
We create safe, supportive spaces online, in schools, and in communities. Spaces where girls can talk openly, build resilience, and grow into confident, kind leaders. We don’t tell girls who they should be. We help them feel better about who they already are.
The Shona Project was founded by Social Entrepreneur Tammy Darcy, and named in memory of her sister Shona. Shona was kind, brave and full of compassion. Her legacy lives on in every girl we support. The story behind The Shona Project is a very special one, you can read about it here.
Our Mission
The Shona Project aims to educate, empower and inspire today’s girls in Ireland, to become tomorrow’s strong, confident and curious young women. Growing up can be tough. We exist to help girls face those challenges with strength, self-belief and support. Through honest conversations, practical tools, and a community that truly cares, we empower girls to own their stories, know their worth, and believe in their future.
Our Impact
Since our launch in 2016 we’ve gone from strength to strength, and this is just some of our reach so far:
- 40,000+ girls through school workshops
- 130,000 girls through our Survival Handbook
- 300,000 girls monthly through our online platforms
- 60,000+ girls through SHINE Festival
- 72% of all-girl and co-ed schools in Ireland
And we’re just getting started.
We listen to our girls: The Perfect Storm
In late 2024, we asked 1,035 girls and non-binary teens (aged 12–19) across 23 counties what life feels like right now—because their voices guide everything we do.
They told us the picture is complex: ambition and hope, yes. But also real struggles. The mix that came up again and again is what we call The Perfect Storm:
- 67% say their school environment is not a safe or welcoming space to all
- 89% carry anxiety or worry that no one knows about
- 79% sometimes feel “no good at all”
- 80% believe their generation faces more challenges than those before
- 70% feel social media negatively affects their mental health
This isn’t about one big challenge. It’s about layers—social media, school stress, body image, gender expectations—all colliding. The result? Many young people feel overwhelmed and unheard.
Read the full Executive Summary here.
So how do we respond? Check out our programmes below…
What We Do
Girls all over Ireland, through our various programmes have welcomed us with open arms, and open hearts so that we can honest conversations, laugh, cry and learn together. In schools, at events, and online, we share conversations, practical tools and inspiring stories that help girls feel seen, heard and valued. Here’s how we do it:
School Workshops
We’ve worked with over 40,000 students in every county in Ireland.
We run two workshops:
- One focuses on using kindness to create more positive school communities
- The other helps with confidence and builds strong mindsets by exploring values, stress, and using our voice
Enquire about a school workshop here
SHINE Festival
SHINE is our multi-award-winning annual festival.
For our in-person event, in October of each year, we welcome thousands of girls to join us for two powerful days of connection, laughter, and inspiration in celebration of International Day of the Girl.
We also have Shine Online, our website which has over 200 tailor-made pre-recorded videos, along with class discussion and journal prompts on topics such as women’s health, women in sports, careers, the arts, activism and much more
The Survival Handbook for Girls
Each September, 35,000 copies of this free handbook is given to incoming 1st-year students across Ireland. It’s packed with advice, stories, and practical tips to help girls navigate their first year in secondary school.
So far, since 2019, over 130,000 girls have received their copy.
Order Handbooks for Your School for September 2025 here
Teacher Lesson Plans
We’ve turned some of our most powerful content from Shine Festival into free ready-to-use classroom packs. Each one includes a Shine Festival videos, journal prompts, and discussion questions to help spark meaningful conversations with links to the Learning Outcomes (LOs) for Wellbeing.
They’re easy to use and perfect for a 40-minute classes!
Explore Lesson Plans here.
Junior Ambassador Programme
We work with schools to empower and support a team of young leaders on our Junior Ambassador Programes, but they are known to us as our “Jambos”. These girls lead change in their schools and communities, and many go on to advocate nationally for issues they care about, while always keeping the Shona values close to their hearts.
Jambos get to connect with experts in the Shona community, meet other amazing students, and share their voices with the world.
Learn More About Becoming a Jambo here.
Mentorship Programme
Launched in 2024, our mentorship programme connects senior cycle girls with professional women across Ireland. Together they explore careers, goals, and self-belief in monthly 1:1 chats.
Our 2025 programme is fully subscribed with us growing from 26 pairs to 38! But don’t worry, you can stay up to date with all the action on our socials! While you’re here, you can check our what Katie, one of our Mentees from 2024, had to say about her experience on the programme here.
Read About the Mentorship Programme here
The Safe Bathrooms Challenge
We want to turn your school halls and bathrooms into a safe and positive space by providing a free stencil kit, which can be used by your students in whatever way they wish!
All the details can be found here
We believe every girl deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported. If you believe that too, you’re in the right place.
Welcome to The Shona Project. We’re so glad you’re here ❤️
P.S. If you’d like to support us further, and join our movement for change…
Join 500 x 500
500 x 500 is a growing community of women standing with the next generation of girls.
Each member contributes €500 to directly support our programmes. But it’s more than a donation. It’s about showing up, sharing stories, and lifting each other up.
Together, we’re building a powerful network of funders, mentors and changemakers.
This is not charity. This is solidarity.
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