Digital Creative Lab

What will you
make today?

You can make almost anything you want at our Digital Creative Lab! And you will gain great creative & digital skills in the process... Spraoi agus Sport brought this fabrication lab (or Fab lab) to Inishowen to provide the digital skills our new generations need to complete fairly. We believe these skills can also bring jobs and business opportunities here.

678678
Young People

including 3 with disabilities, have completed a 6-week programme
358358
Of These

did not have a computer at home or one that they had access to
500500
Young People

did not know what STEAM meant before they did our programme
9898%
Of These

said programme made them more confident using digital tech & their digital skillset

How We Got Our Digital Creative Lab

Fab Labs were founded in 2012 by Neil Gershenfeld of MIT, the world’s top-ranking university. Spraoi agus Sport’s lab is one of around just 7 on the island of Ireland – bringing world class facilities to a small rural town, and demonstrating Spraoi’s ability to deliver the very best for our area.

Fab Labs mission is “to provide access to the tools, the knowledge and the financial means to educate, innovate and invent using technology and digital fabrication to allow anyone to make (almost) anything, and thereby creating opportunities to improve lives and livelihoods around the world”.

The Nerve Centre in Derry had one of the first Fab Labs on the island of Ireland. When we wanted to establish one here in Carndonagh, the Nerve Centre gave us all the help we needed. Led by John Peto, their team provided staffing and training support until we were ready to stand on our own two feet.

The Impact of Our Digital Creative Lab on Our Community and Economy

We are delighted with what has been achieved to date but we also plan to keep making an impact:

Intended Outcomes:

Support economic recovery and resilience in our rural area

Bring world class technology to a rural area and improve digital creative skills of our young people

Young people will learn skills to build their capacity and resilience post-Covid

Young People will enjoy STEAM based activities

Young People will be supported emotionally

Impact on our community and economy

Improving Mental Health – supporting and mentoring disadvantaged young people

Social Inclusion – ensure our disadvantaged young people are supported to pursue a career in STEAM

Bridging the digital divide

This project is supported by Inishowen Co-Op, Dormant Accounts, LEADER and the Irish Youth Foundation:

Spraoi agus Spórt is an award winning social enterprise based in Carndonagh, Inishowen, Co. Donegal providing excellent social, recreational and educational activities for the community.

ABOUT US

Spraoi is a multi-award-winning sustainable social enterprise in Inishowen, Co. Donegal that offers affordable and inclusive opportunities, activities and experiences for every member of our community.