Young People at Risk (YPAR) initiative is located in the North East Inner City (NEIC) of Dublin, which experiences some of the highest levels of deprivation and marginalisation in the city

Dublin’s North Inner City is a community with a long history of social and economic disadvantage but also with a strong history of community responses to this disadvantage. These community responses have been based on strong local leadership but have also involved asking the state to be involved as a partner with the community.

The area has a very strong culture of community development and advocacy on key policy issues which is led by the Inner City Organisations Network (ICON) which represents 65 local community and voluntary organisations.

The arrival of immigrant communities and an increase in private home ownership have been two new dimensions in the North East Inner City over the last 20 years.

During the 1990’s Inner City Organisations Network highlighted the need for more integration between state and voluntary agencies in the areas of dealing with young people at risk.

In 2000 ICON brought together a group comprising members of voluntary, statutory and community organisations that work with young people at risk. The group aimed to promote integrated, high quality, effective and co-ordinated services to children at risk. This was the start of YPAR.