An inclusive innovation programme creating new pathways to employment for young people
Dare to be a Stryver?
Stryve is a one-of-a-kind programme designed to inspire, up-skill, and prepare you for the jobs of the future. Through Stryve, you’ll gain leadership and creative media qualifications, receive training in creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking, and experience real work environments with tailored work experience at our partner companies.
Let us help you take your place, develop your skills, grow your network, and build your confidence!
Who is Stryve for?
Stryve is for young people (16-25) who found that traditional education or career pathways weren’t the right fit and are looking for a new way forward. It’s a chance to gain real-world skills, build confidence, and explore new opportunities in innovation and entrepreneurship.
This programme is open to young people who are not currently in employment, education or training.
Where and when does it happen?
Stryve will begin in September 2025.
We will have two cohorts: Belfast and Derry~Londonderry.
What does the programme involve?
-
Phase 1
Innovation Skills and Entrepreneurship Training – Learn how to think like an innovator and solve real-world problems creatively. Then, apply those skills to your own business ideas.
-
Phase 2
Gain Recognised Qualifications – Earn OCN Level 2 qualifications in Creative and Digital Media, Leadership, and Internet Safety, all delivered in partnership with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation.
-
Phase 3
Real Work Experience – Put your new skills into action with tailored work experience in an innovation-driven business.
Why Stryve?
Stryve isn’t just about qualifications – it’s about your future. Whether you aspire to be an entrepreneur, innovator, or leader – or are still figuring out your next step – Stryve equips you with the skills, experiences and confidence to explore your potential, stand out and succeed.
The team behind Stryve
Judith Camblin
Programme Manager - Youth and Ambition
Judith is the programme manager for Youth and Ambition within Catalyst. She designs and delivers the Generation Innovation programme and our Inclusive Innovation Programme. Through these programmes Judith gets to inspire, equip and encourage young people across NI to gain the skills they need that will set them up for a successful future.
Judith has worked with young people in a variety of settings over the past 12 years and her passion is seeing young people thrive, grow in confidence and supporting them to make their best next step in life!
Mark Miskimmin
Project Administrator
Mark is the Project Admin to support the Innovation+ team. He supports the team in all administrative tasks, data collection and reporting for the programme.
He is also a member of Catalyst’s Inclusive Innovation team. Where he supports people with disadvantaged backgrounds to innovate.
Mark has over 12 years of experience working with young people. He has a degree in Youth Work and Practical Theology. Mark loves working alongside people and seeing them being released into their true potential.
Emma Carson
Innovation Officer
Emma Carson is an Innovation Officer at Catalyst, where she works on the Innovate+ programme within Open Innovation. Her role focuses on supporting small and medium-sized businesses across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland to develop new products, services, and ways of working through innovation, collaboration, and the use of technology.
Working closely with the Innovate+ team, Emma helps businesses explore new technologies, test ideas in practical ways, and improve productivity through hands-on, tailored support. She has experience across innovation support, stakeholder engagement, and programme delivery, and enjoys helping businesses turn early ideas into something real and useful.
Emma is particularly interested in building inclusive innovation ecosystems and supporting sustainable growth. She is motivated by collaboration across sectors and borders, and by working with organisations to help them realise their potential through innovation and creative problem-solving.
