The Irish government has announced a €1.2 million investment to strengthen youth services and expand volunteer-led youth clubs across the country. The funding, awarded through the Volunteer Activation Fund, will support 12 national youth organizations working to recruit, train, and retain volunteers while increasing access to youth programs for young people in communities nationwide.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton said the funding reflects the government’s commitment to supporting volunteers who play a vital role in delivering youth work services. The investment will help organizations enhance their capacity, establish new youth clubs, and provide high-quality opportunities for young people to develop skills, confidence, and community engagement.
Funded projects will focus on a variety of initiatives, including the creation of new Scouting groups in underserved areas, expansion of environmental action clubs, development of Irish-language youth programs, support services for young people with additional needs, and new youth arts and filmmaking opportunities. Several projects will also introduce innovative volunteer recruitment and training strategies aimed at encouraging greater participation in community-based youth work.
Since the Volunteer Activation Fund was launched in late 2024, more than €2 million has been allocated to support volunteer development and the growth of volunteer-led youth organizations across Ireland. The latest funding round is expected to further strengthen the youth sector by increasing volunteer numbers and expanding the availability of local youth clubs.
A total of €1,218,153 has been awarded to 12 successful organizations, including Foróige, Scouting Ireland, ECO-Unesco, Youth Work Ireland, Irish Girl Guides, Macra na Feirme, and several other national youth groups. Government officials say the investment will help ensure that more young people across Ireland can access valuable youth work opportunities and benefit from stronger community support networks.
