MARK is a national programme creating space for boys to explore who they are and supporting them to choose the mark they want to make on the world.
“I believe it was eye-opening for many of the boys, they may never have touched on this topic before.”
— Teacher, MARK pilot school, 2026
MARK exists to create space for boys to explore who they are, rather than telling them what they should become.
MARK is The Shona Project’s national, facilitated programme for boys aged 12-19. It creates structured, open spaces where boys can explore their values, their experiences, and the pressures they face. MARK does not tell boys what masculinity should look like. It helps them notice what influences are shaping them, provides frameworks to understand themselves more clearly, and supports them to choose how they want to express themselves.
In our pilot year:
79% of students found the workshop engaging
100% of teachers rated it as relevant for their school
Every teacher said 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.
Mark has signed up to a set of principles for working with men and boys to help ensure our work contributes to ending violence against women and girls. Read them in detail, and see other organisations who have signed up here
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 on personal values and a clear message that reinforces agency and choice in how the boys make their own mark on the world.
MARK Workshops
Join our Community
Education happens within the context of a larger community. Our approach extends beyond the school to help ensure students have the necessary support to do their best learning.
Contact
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.
Email
info@thisismark.ie
Phone
086 014 4728
MARK is supported by The Shona Project.
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