For many young people, life can feel like a series of obstacles rather than opportunities.

Growing up in tough realities, they often learn to keep their expectations low, believing that leadership and success are reserved for others. But something shifts when they take part in a Columba 1400 Young People’s Leadership Academy (YPLA) – a space where they are truly seen, heard, and valued.

From the moment they begin, they can tell something is different. There are no lectures, no pressure – just an environment where their potential is recognised, even before they see it themselves.

Over the next few months, through deep conversations, personal reflection, and shared experiences, they begin to discover that they are capable of leading, of contributing, of shaping their own futures.

This transformation is not an isolated event. Thousands of young people have walked this path with Columba 1400, discovering a sense of self-worth, confidence, and resilience that changes the course of their lives.