Ten youth climate projects across Ireland are due to receive almost €500,000 in funding, Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee has today announced.
Among the groups set to receive money are youth organisations Foróige and SpunOut, as well as consortiums led by Eco-UNESCO and the National Youth Council of Ireland.
The ‘Youth Climate Justice Fund’ will support youth-led projects that “raise awareness and take action on climate issues,” according to the department.
The fund has given almost €3 million in total investment to youth projects since 2020.
“I’m delighted to support this year’s Youth Climate Justice Fund. These creative, youth-led projects — ranging from training programmes to hands-on sustainability efforts — empower young people to make a real difference in their communities,” Minister McEntee said following the announcement.
“I’ve been inspired by their passion for climate justice and the dedication of youth workers across the country.”
Ten applicants secured funding under this year’s scheme, with a consortium lead by Youth Work Ireland receiving the greatest amount (€100,000) for a project that aims to connect Irish youth with “peers in the Global South to explore and advocate for Climate Justice”.
“Expansion of the Youth Climate Assemblies model, enabling youth-led local climate conferences; support for local groups through citizen science, training, and funding to research; and to present policy innovations at local, regional, and national levels,” are listed among the other activities the consortium intends to engage in, supported by the funding.
Listed below are the successful applicants for funding, with the amount each has been allocated:
- Youth Work Ireland consortium: €100,000
- Eco-UNESCO consortium: €99,986
- National Youth Council of Ireland consortium: €70,915
- Irish Red Cross: €49,958
- Kinia: €45,000
- Foróige: €39,235
- SpunOut: €36,962
- Ógras: €28,140
- Voluntary Service International: €18,050
- Junior Chamber International Ireland: €10,000
The total funding allocated for 2025 under the scheme comes to €498,246.
With its funding, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ireland plans to expand its ‘Climate Justice Debate Series’, which are described as events designed to “empower young people to challenge climate norms, propose solutions, and build skills in advocacy and public speaking”.
“The series aims to educate and inspire a new generation of climate leaders, aligning with JCI’s mission and the goals of the Youth Climate Justice Fund,” the project description reads.
Youth information portal SpunOut is being funded to support the development of what’s described as “a high-quality Climate Hub that includes up-to-date, supportive and accurate information on climate issues”.
“This content is guided by youth volunteers, validated by experts and proofread by young people. The project will focus on three key areas: climate justice and mental health; promotion of climate hub content; and climate action statement,” a statement accompanying the announcement said.
Meanwhile, Voluntary Service International plans to deliver workshops to explore “climate justice from a human-centred, inequality-focused perspective”.
Among the skills participants can expect to receive are the abilities to create social media campaigns, and deliver their own workshops.
“The project supports youth-led activism aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to inspire ongoing engagement in climate action,” the department release reads.
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