The Foróige Comhar Programme is an initiative designed to meet the personal development needs of pupils and to improve their performance at school. It was first piloted and evaluated in three schools in the west of Ireland. Comhar is an Irish word meaning mutual assistance, co-operation, combined work, partnership. The word was traditionally used among communities in Ireland to denote neighbourly co-operation.

In this programme, Comhar denotes co-operation and partnership between schools, parents, local communities and the youth organisation Foróige, in order to meet the learning and development needs of pupils. The Comhar Programme combines best practice in youth work and formal schooling. It combines classroom activities and community based activities. It brings together resources and personnel from the school, the community and Foróige in order to enhance the development of young people involved in the programme.

This manual is a practical resource for youth workers and teachers who are delivering the Comhar Programme. It offers practical guidelines on how to introduce the programme to schools. It also describes practical activities and learning experiences that can be used in the different programme sessions.