A State-funded programme which teaches Irish primary school children about “the benefits that EU membership brings to Ireland” and seeks to give them an “early understanding of what it means to be European” has been launched for the upcoming academic year.
The programme was launched today by European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne at St Patrick’s National School in Stamullen, Co. Meath, according to a Department of Foreign Affairs press release announcing the 2026/27 Blue Star Programme.
The initiative, which is coordinated by European Movement Ireland on behalf of the Department, has involved more than 1,300 schools and 220,000 pupils since 2011.
According to the Department, the programme “educates primary school pupils about the European Union and the benefits that EU membership for Ireland.”
Launching the programme, Byrne highlighted Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union and praised teachers who have supported the initiative.
“Their commitment to encouraging pupils to learn about the EU, and engage with European values and policies, fosters an active civic society and inspire future leaders,” Byrne said.
“As European Affairs Minister, I want to commend and thank the thousands of pupils who have participated in the Programme.”
“Never forget, the future of the EU belongs to you, because we are the EU.”
The Department said the programme gives young people “an early understanding of what it means to be European and how the EU operates through projects that complement the national curriculum.”
According to the programme’s website, pupils explore the history, geography, culture, creativity and institutions of the European Union through a range of activities carried out in schools.
The Blue Star Programme is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which provides €100,000 annually over a three-year period.
In notes accompanying today’s announcement, the Department described the programme as “an investment by Government in raising awareness of EU issues among the next generation, ensuring they have a strong understanding of how the EU works and the benefits that EU membership brings to Ireland.”
The programme involves a number of organisations and State bodies. Its website states that it is operated by European Movement Ireland in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the office of the Minister of State for European Affairs, the European Commission Representation in Ireland, the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, and the Department of Education and Skills.
The website also states that the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence serves as the programme’s political patron.
European Movement Ireland is an NGO which works to “make the connection between Irish people and the EU” and campaigns “for every Irish person to get involved with the EU.”
Today’s launch comes weeks after a Fine Gael TD called for schools to play a greater role in promoting understanding of the European Union among young people.
As reported by Gript last month, Barry Ward, who chairs the Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs, said there should be greater education about the European Union and a stronger emphasis on fostering what he described as a “sense of dual identity” among young people.
TD calls for “education campaign” on how EU benefits Ireland
“If we want the next generation to shape the future of Europe, we need to start in the classroom,” Ward said.
“That can mean improved education around the EU institutions, but it can also mean fostering a sense of dual identity – we are proudly Irish, but are also Europeans, and what happens in Europe matters to us in Ireland.”
Ward also called for what he described as an “education campaign” to demonstrate how EU membership affects daily life and to improve understanding of European institutions.
The proposal drew criticism from Independent TD Carol Nolan at the time, who described it as “indoctrination” by “missionaries of the EU”.
“I wouldn’t trust this proposal as far as I could throw it,” Nolan said.
ACTIVISM IN SCHOOLS
The discussion forms part of a wider debate about the role of schools in encouraging activism among young people.
Previously speaking to Gript, Tánaiste Simon Harris defended the inclusion of climate activism-related material in schools last year, saying it was “a good thing” for young people to become “active citizens”.
Children’s Minister Norma Foley has also praised student involvement in climate advocacy, saying in comments to Gript that young people can play an important role in encouraging wider society to become more climate conscious.
Meanwhile, the Leaving Certificate subject Climate Action and Sustainable Development includes topics such as climate injustice, climate disinformation, colonialism, lobbying, civil disobedience and environmental racism, while aiming to encourage students to develop what course materials describe as “a realistic and hopeful perspective on the nature of action”.