Press Release
April 8, 2025 • 3 min read
Young people, aged 18-25 years, from across Ireland are now invited to apply to take part in GOAL’s 2025 NextGen Youth Programme. This programme which was founded in 2020 and runs over a two-month period every year, brings young people from across the world together to deepen their understanding of the power of Global Citizenship and the need to work towards a fairer future for all. During this programme, these young changemakers will be guided to expand their knowledge around critical global issues such as conflict, climate, sustainability, health, food and nutrition security.
Successful applicants from across Ireland will join other NextGen programme participants from Ethiopia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Honduras, Iraq, Syria, and Türkiye. All programme participants will have the opportunity to forge connections with changemakers from across the globe who share a passion for proactively tackling social issues. Successful applicants will also work together to develop innovative ideas and solutions on global challenges, while collaborating on awareness-raising materials that contribute to GOAL’s public engagement efforts, including the X-Change campaign and have the opportunity to represent GOAL at public events and festivals such as St. Patrick’s Festival and All Together Now music and arts festival as well as international conferences and exchange trips.
In inviting applications to the 2025 NextGen programme, Vikki Walshe, GOAL’s Global Citizenship Manager said:
“We are excited to welcome a new cohort of amazing young people to the NextGen programme, to deepen their understanding of Global Citizenship and the complex and interconnected world that we live in. They will engage in conversations with their peers around the world, promoting empathy, inclusivity, solidarity, and collaboration, in tandem with understanding GOAL’s humanitarian and development work globally. We believe that deeper and longer-term engagement is the best possible way to support a generation of young people passionate about creating a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.”
“Previous participants of the NextGen Youth programme have leveraged their experience to pursue opportunities in a range of careers including international relations, humanitarianism, global and public health, climate and sustainability, creative arts and education as well as strengthened their individual and collective activism,” continued Vikki Walshe.
Speaking about her experience of participating in 2024 NextGen Youth Programme, Méabh Boyd, Rush, Co. Dublin said:
“I knew I wanted to be in a career that is creative and makes a positive difference in the world. The GOAL NextGen programme gave me so much amazing insight into this career. Through the creative arts workshops, I also developed my reflexive writing, storytelling and public speaking skills allowing me to understand global citizenship and solidarity in such an innovative and creative way.”
Méabh has continued to pursue her career taking up post graduate studies in Design Thinking for Sustainability in University College Dublin.
Fellow 2024 NextGen Youth Programme participant Aoife Joy Keogh, from Smithfield, Dublin, said:
“I became involved with the GOAL Next Gen Youth Programme while undertaking my PhD study. This was a fantastic opportunity to complement my studies and really broaden my horizons beyond the classroom. I feel that this experience will stand to me following the completion of my PhD in light of the skills and experiences I have gained from engaging in the GOAL Next Gen Youth Programme.”
Aoife has taken her next career step as a PHD candidate of Philosophy in Social Sciences and Law at University College Dublin.
Peace Chukwurah, a primary school teacher and former NextGen Youth Programme participant from Drogheda, said:
“The key skills I developed through the GOAL NextGen Youth programme were creativity, communication, and critical thinking. The group work really encouraged me to think outside the box and approach challenges from different perspectives, which helped me develop a more creative approach to problem-solving.
“Since taking part in the programme, I’ve focused on building more inclusive classrooms and empowering my students to become active citizens who can contribute positively to society. The skills I developed have helped me shape my teaching approach and create a more engaging and inclusive environment for my students.”
Alongside her teaching role, Peace is also a social media influencer and Education Manager with Black & Irish, an organisation that was established to enhance the lives of black and mixed race people in Ireland.
The 2025 NextGen programme will comprise 10 sessions that take place online on Thursdays, with two sessions in person for Irish based participants. The programme runs from Sat 24th May to Thurs 17th July.
The closing date for applications to take part in GOAL’S 2025 NextGen Youth Programme is Friday, 11th April. Please visit goalglobal.org/youth to apply.
