Clár na nÓg: Youth Sector Updates – September 2026
National Youth Council of Ireland: News
Upcoming training, deadlines, and calls
- Call for Marketplace Participants – European Union Youth Conference Dublin 2026 deadline Sep 4
- Racial Justice Training course – 4 sessions Sep 15 – Nov 17
- Online Seminar with Bodywhys- The Eating Disorder Association Sep 16
- Thinking Together… about Youth Work Responses to Racism Sep 21
- Policy & Advocacy Forum Sep 22
- Launch your practice to another level – European Youth Work Agenda webinar 1 Sep 23
- Bearing Witness, Building Belonging – Webinar Sep 29
- Launch your practice to another level – European Youth Work Agenda webinar 2 Oct 7
- Beyond Welcome: Creating Intentional Communities Oct 22
- Information & Dialogue Young Voices EU Youth Dialogue Consultation Oct 28
- One World Week 2026 Nov 14 – 21
Resources you might like
- Youth Unemployment and the Youth Guarantee in Ireland Download now
- AI in Youth Work eLearning Enrol now
- NYCI Budget 2027 Toolkit Find out more
Remember to check out our News Feed for regular updates.
In the news: Youth Unemployment and the Youth Guarantee in Ireland Report Launched
Today, we were delighted to launch the report “Youth Unemployment and the Youth Guarantee in Ireland”, produced by Oisín Gilmore, Senior Economist at TASC. It provides new analysis of data on youth unemployment, employment conditions and Ireland’s implementation of the European Youth Guarantee. Following this morning’s launch, he report has received widespread national coverage.
Coverage so far today includes:
- Irish Times: Youth unemployment still well above pre-crash levels
- Irish Independent: Youth unemployment still below pre-financial crisis levels, but progress has stalled, says report
- The Journal: Calls for ‘exploitative’ sub minimum wage to be scrapped as young people struggle to afford rents
- RTÉ: Youth employment never fully recovered from financial crash – report
- RTÉ Radio: Young Irish workers facing significant issues in jobs market
New AI in Youth Work eLearning Launched
The STEAM in Youth Work programme are proud to share AI in Youth Work, a new CPD online course which focuses on the practical use of AI for youth workers, helping participants build confidence in using AI tools to support planning, communication, and professional practice. The programme was developed in response to the growing role of AI in young people’s lives and the increasing demand from youth workers for guidance, practical learning, and opportunities to critically explore emerging technologies.
Find out more and enrol >>
Celebrate Black History Month with NYCI
This October, in celebration of Black History Month, NYCI is proud to host “Beyond Welcome: Creating Intentional Communities”, a day of exploration and conversation on ethnicity, identity, belonging, and power in youth work settings. We will come together to explore what it really means to be included in a community, fully and intentionally, with a focus on building spaces where every young person has the opportunity to flourish. Places are limited and advance registration is required. We encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.
Find out more and register >>
Member News
Irish Girl Guides: Opening Ceremony of Ireland’s EU Presidency
Irish Girl Guides joined the opening ceremony of Ireland’s EU Presidency. Hear from one of their members about her experience and why it matters for young people across Ireland in their newest blog post.
Find out more >>
ECO-UNESCO: Register Now for Part-Time Course Intake: QQI Level 6 Ecology and the Environment
ECO-UNESCO is offering a Level 6 Ecology and the Environment course for learners, providing a thorough introduction to ecological systems, biodiversity, and environmental conservation. We’re proud to share this course is validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national awarding body for further and higher education and training. All learners welcome.
Find out more >>
ECO-UNESCO: Youth Climate Justice Programme 2026
ECO-UNESCO’s Youth Climate Justice (YCJ) Programme is an invaluable opportunity for young people aged 14 to 17 to become inspiring leaders and advocates for climate justice and climate action. This after-school programme runs from September to December and provides young people with opportunities to develop new skills and grow as young climate leaders in a safe and supportive environment.
Find out more and register >>
ECO-UNESCO: Young Environmentalist Awards 2026-2027
Registration is now open for ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards (2026/2027). For over 25 years, this youth programme has remained free and open to young people aged 10 to 18 across the island of Ireland.
Find out more and register >>
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 >>
Vacancies
Foróige: Various roles nationally
Other Youth Sector News
Jigsaw: Child and youth mental health advisory panels for young people and parents
The HSE and Jigsaw are working in partnership to establish two independent child and youth mental health advisory panels: one for children and young people, and one for parents and carers. Working with the HSE Child and Youth Mental Health Office, the panels will give children, young people and families a meaningful role in shaping change, ensuring their voices inform national policy, service design and service delivery across child and youth mental health services, including CAMHS.
Deadline: 5:00pm, 7 September
Find out more and apply >>
Children’s Rights Alliance: Winter Food Poverty Initiative 2026
The Children’s Rights Alliance’s food poverty initiative will support member organisations in communities across Ireland. Through this funding opportunity, member organisations will be supported to address holiday hunger during December 2026 and January 2027 for children, young people, and families. There will be two categories of grants available: Category 1 – Between a minimum of €5,000 and a maximum of €12,000 and Category 2 – Between a minimum of €20,000 and a maximum of €30,000
Deadline: 4:00pm,11 September
Find out more and apply >>
Rural Action: Rural Action Awards are now open
Rural Action is delighted to announce that the Rural Action Awards are now open for applications, offering £1,000/€1,000 to support practical projects that make a positive difference in rural communities.
Deadline: 20th September
Find out more >>
DevelopmentEducation.ie: Back to Learning
Working with young people this autumn? The Youth area on DevelopmentEducation.ie brings together practical global citizenship and development education resources for exploring global issues, participation and social change. Users can also save useful materials and create collections through the Members Area.
Explore resources >>
Highlight your Event or Update
Send your news, events, and activities for inclusion in the next edition of Clár na nÓg, the youth sector newsletter, to charlie@nyci.ie
