Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has announced nearly €500,000 in funding for ten youth-led climate justice projects across Ireland in 2026. The initiative forms part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to empowering young people to take a leadership role in climate action within their communities. The projects include both national and regional initiatives, such as a social innovation programme in the west of Ireland and a scouting programme at the Lough Dan Scout and Eco Centre.
The Youth Climate Justice Fund supports young people aged 10 to 25 to design and participate in projects that raise awareness, build skills, and drive practical climate action. The 2026 projects focus on diverse activities, including strengthening climate literacy and youth leadership, organizing Climate Justice Week events, hosting a residential for 50 young people led by the National Youth Council of Ireland, and delivering hands-on renewable energy education to 100 participants. Other initiatives include conservation work linked to UN Sustainable Development Goal 15, the creation of Climate Justice toolkits for volunteers and youth workers, sustainable theatre-making, and the establishment of a Youth Climate Justice Innovation Team at Lough Dan. Collectively, these projects aim to promote climate education, community engagement, awareness campaigns, and practical environmental action.
Since its inception in 2020, the Youth Climate Justice Fund has provided almost €3.5 million to youth-led initiatives, reflecting the Government’s continued investment in young people as active agents of climate action. Minister Naughton emphasized that the fund enables young people to move from awareness to practical action, supporting projects that are locally rooted and impactful, and highlighted the importance of sustaining youth participation and leadership in Ireland’s national climate response.
The 2026 funding includes consortium-led projects and individual initiatives. ECO‑UNESCO, in partnership with Feachtas Óg‑Ghluaiseacht Gaeilge, Poppintree Youth Project, and Macra na Feirme, aims to empower young people across Ireland in climate justice education and advocacy. The National Youth Council of Ireland, working with YMCA Ireland, Sphere 17 Regional Youth Service, and Concern Worldwide, leads the Future Generations Project 2026 to build on previous YCJF-funded work. Additional funded projects include Kinia, Ógras, Localise Youth Volunteering, Youth Work Ireland, Scouting Ireland, Young Social Innovators, Foróige, and Youth Theatre Ireland, each delivering initiatives ranging from renewable energy education and SDG-focused activities to workshops, toolkits, and youth-led environmental projects.
All projects are led by national youth organizations funded under the Youth Services Grant Scheme and are aligned with Ireland’s commitments to climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals. By supporting these initiatives, the fund continues to foster youth engagement, knowledge, and leadership in climate justice at both community and national levels.
