National Youth Council of Ireland: News

Upcoming training, deadlines, and calls

• Let’s Launch our New Resource – Supporting Young People with Anxiety: A Guide for Youth Workers May 14
   
• NYCI Policy & Advocacy Forum May 20
   
• Traveller Pride in Practice: Empowering Traveller Youth May 22
   
• Addressing consent and pornography with young people May 27 – 28
   
• Apply Now to Become Ireland’s next Climate Youth Delegate 2026-2028 deadline May 25
   
• One World Week Seed Fund deadline Jun 5
   
• Summer School – The Creative Well: Creativity and Wellbeing in Youth Work Jun 6 – 7
   
• Save The Date – NYCI National Conference 2026 Jun 17
   
• Grow It Yourself – A one-day Professional Retreat at Grow HQ Jun 19

Resources you might like

• Braver, Safer Engagements Download now
   
• Working Safely in a Youth Club Download now
   
• eLearning: Understanding Racism for Youth Workers On demand
   
• From Anti-Racism to Racial Justice: Tools, Analysis and Action for Youth Workers Download now
   
• Youth Information Web Resource for Young Refugees & Young People in International Protection Learn more

Remember to check out our News Feed for regular updates.

NYCI National Conference – tickets on sale next week
This year our conference will take place on Wednesday, 17th June, 2026 in The Aisling Hotel, Dublin. It will bring the youth work sector together to connect, share learning and build momentum for a shared vision for youth work, from local to global. Tickets will be limited this year, and will go on sale next week.
Find out more >>

Another monthly rise in youth homelessness extremely concerning
It is extremely concerning that over 2,000 young people aged 18–24 are currently living in emergency accommodation, representing 17.7% of adults in homelessness. While wider housing pressures such as rising costs and lack of supply continue to drive homelessness across the population, young people face additional risk factors.
Find out more >>

Inspiring Future Youth Workers Conference
The Inspiring Future Youth Workers movement continues to grow, building on the success of the Dublin pilot project and responding to a clear need across the sector. The Inspiring Future Youth Workers national conference in Dublin brought together a combination of 90 youth practitioners, educators, and organisations from across Ireland to explore innovative and sustainable approaches to developing future youth workers.
Find out more >>

Foundations for the Future: Strengthening Core Skills in Young People – Conference Highlights and Why Skills Summary Matters
In December 2025, youth workers, practitioners, educators, experts and sector leaders gathered in Dublin’s Wood Quay Venue for Foundations for the Future: Strengthening Core Skills in Young People, a conference hosted by NYCI’s Skills Summary project. 
Find out more >>

UN Youth Delegate Reflective Blogs
Ireland’s 2025-2026 United Nations Youth Delegates, Aisling Maloney and Carla Fusciardi Wallace recently attended the ECOSOC Youth Forum as well as the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York. They have reflected on their experiences through a series of blog posts.
Find out more about the 2026 ECOSOC Youth Forum >>
Find out more about CSW70 >>
 

Member News

BelongTo: Recruitment Open for Rainbow Award Accreditation for Youth Services
The Rainbow Award is a nationally recognised, action focused programme that supports youth services to build safe, welcoming and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ young people. This year, we are proud to partner with youth services across Ireland, offering tailored support. Through a whole organisation approach, the accreditation strengthens practice across policy, culture and service delivery, ensuring that LGBTQ+ young people – as well as staff and volunteers – feel respected, supported and valued.
Find out more and apply >>

Irish Girl Guides: Campfire Song Competition
Irish Girl Guides launched a special once-off Campfire Song Competition. Huge congratulations to the Guides from the Carrigdhoun Unit, South West Region, whose song lyrics were selected as the winning entry.
Watch performance >>

VSI: Volunteer in Europe this summer 
VSI has just launched our 2026 programme of short-term International Volunteer Projects in Europe. With more than 200 projects to choose from, you can protect the planet and work against climate change, take action for equality, promote peace and support communities while making lifelong friends
Find out more >>

ECO-UNESCO: Young Environmentalist Awards 2026
ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards 2026 will conclude with a Final Showcase and Awards Ceremony on May 12 at the Concert Hall, RDS Dublin. The national event will feature over 110 finalist projects from young people across 29 counties, alongside exhibitions, workshops and talks for up to 1,000 attendees. It celebrates youth-led environmental action on themes like biodiversity, climate and sustainable living, with the showcase free to attend and open to all.
Book your tickets >>

ECO-UNESCO: Summer Camps Open for Registration
ECO-UNESCO’s summer camps will run throughout July and August in Dublin and Cork, with Green Teen (13–16) and ECO-Explorers (10–12) programmes. The camps combine outdoor activities, environmental learning and day trips to help young people build confidence, skills and connections. They run Monday to Friday, 10am–3pm, with central drop-off points.
Find out more >>

ECO-UNESCO: Free Biodiversity Week Workshops
ECO-UNESCO is hosting a series of free workshops from May 15-22 as part of National Biodiversity Week Ireland 2026, exploring biodiversity and sustainability. Sessions cover topics such as ecosystems, Ireland’s flora and fauna, marine biodiversity, climate change and practical actions to support nature. Delivered by ECO-UNESCO’s experts, the workshops are open to all and offer accessible ways to build knowledge and take positive environmental action.
Find out more >>

ECO-UNESCO: QQI-Accredited Courses Open Now
ECO-UNESCO is offering in-person courses in Dublin: a Level 6 Minor Award in Ecology and the Environment (June 2026) and a Level 5 Minor Award in Sustainable Development. The Ecology course runs over two weeks with fieldwork and practical training, while the Sustainable Development course runs over 10-12 weeks, covering key sustainability concepts alongside applied project work. Both are suited to educators, mentors, youth workers, students and early-career professionals, with a focus on hands-on learning and real-world application.
Find out more and apply >>

Is your organisation an NYCI Member?
As well as advocating on your behalf, NYCI provides advice, networking and development opportunities, and expert training in all areas of youth work, including child protection, development education, equality, arts, health, and more.
Find out more >>

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Vacancies

Foróige: Various roles nationally
 

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Other Youth Sector News

IDEA: Conference 2026 – Register Now
The Irish Development Education Association’s 2026 Annual Conference will take place on Wednesday, 24 June in The Grand Hotel Malahide, Co. Dublin. The theme this year is Education for Liberation: GCE in an Age of Crisis, and we will be drawing on the legacy of Paulo Freire to explore education for liberation in the context of our world today. The day will feature a range of inspiring speakers, panellists, workshops and performances, along with plenty of space for conversation and connection. We will also host a member social gathering afterwards for those who wish to continue the discussions informally.
Find out more >>

Vhi: Health & Wellbeing Fund
Vhi are partnering with the Irish Youth Foundation again this year to manage the 2026 Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund. A fund of €85,000 is available to community-based projects and programmes that are focused on empowering young people aged 12-25 years. The fund will support projects that seek to strengthen resilience in young people and help them manage anxiety, with the emphasis on early intervention and prevention.
Deadline to apply: Friday 15th May, 23:59
Find out more and apply >>