How the Project K programme works

Project K is delivered through licensees

Project K is run in participating schools and delivered through licensees (local trusts) across the country, ensuring the initiative remains community driven.  The licensees are responsible for hiring staff and service providers, programme delivery and fundraising.

Project K is a Foundation for Youth Development Programme.  FYD’s National Support Office provides intellectual property, programme materials, quality assurance, coaching, national networking, research and evaluation and other support to licensees.

How students are selected for Project K:

Year 10 students who will most benefit from the Project K programme are identified in part through a self-efficacy questionnaire which is completed by the whole form. After consultation with a school liaison team, some students are then invited to participate (with their parents/caregivers' permission), at no cost. Students cannot be referred. 

Project K has three distinct, but complementary stages:

Wilderness Adventure

The New Zealand's wilderness provides the backdrop for students to learn goal setting, teamwork, perseverance, self-reliance and self-knowledge. The adventure starts with 10 days at a camp in preparation for a 10-day journey that can involve kayaking, abseiling, tramping, mountain biking and camping.

Community Challenge

During the community stage, students adapt the lessons learned in the wilderness to their community and are challenged to explore the resources, opportunities and support available in their local areas.

They are encouraged to pursue stronger links with their community by meeting with local figures and visiting organisations such as the council, emergency services and marae.

Students also undertake a project to give something back to the community. And towards the end of this stage, students set academic, health and fitness and personal goals to achieve within 12 months.

Project K Mentoring

Each student is then paired with a screened and trained mentor for a year. The mentor supports the student in achieving their self-set goals, provides an objective, friendly ear and helps sustain and strengthen the positive changes achieved in the first two stages.

Mentors attend a training programme and are screened and interviewed, after which they qualify for consideration as Project K mentors.

Throughout the mentor partnership, mentors can expect a strong level of support from Project K, their mentor coordinator and other mentors in their group. Mentors keep in touch with students at least every two weeks. As well as helping their student stay on track with their goals, mentors spend informal time with them. The mentoring journey is aimed at being a fun experience.

For more information on how to become a Project K Mentor please click here