World Vision Ireland is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Youth Work Ireland, launching a youth-driven initiative funded by the Department of Education and Youth through the Youth Climate Justice Fund 2025.

This ambitious programme will empower young people across Ireland to connect with peers in Tanzania and Vanuatu, fostering global solidarity and amplifying youth voices in climate advocacy. The programme is fully youth-led, with young people designing and delivering assemblies, conducting citizen science research, and engaging directly with policymakers to advocate for climate justice solutions. 

Key components of the initiative include:
-    Establishing 10 local Youth Climate Justice Groups across Ireland
-    Hosting 3 Regional Youth Climate Justice Assemblies
-    Organising a National Youth Climate Justice Assembly

A key feature of the programme is its global North–South collaboration, connecting youth groups in Ireland with their peers in Tanzania and Vanuatu to share lived experiences, co-develop climate justice research, and present joint policy innovations to decision-makers.

Building on the successful Youth Climate Assemblies model developed by Youth Work Ireland Galway, the programme will support youth-led local climate conferences, citizen science projects, and evidence-based policy engagement. Young people will be trained and resourced to research climate justice issues in their communities and present their findings to decision-makers at local, regional, and national levels.

Maurice Sadlier, Programmes and Policy Director at World Vision Ireland, stated, “This partnership is a powerful example of youth-led climate action. By connecting Irish youth with their counterparts in the Global South, we’re not only amplifying their voices but also fostering mutual learning and global solidarity.”

The programme will directly engage over 600 young people through local groups and assemblies. With additional funding currently being pursued, this reach could expand to more than 1,000 youth participants, further strengthening the impact and inclusivity of the programme.

ENDS

Media interviews are available with World Vision Ireland representatives. To arrange an interview, please contact Róisín Drayne at roisin.drayne@worldvision.ie.