The Climate Justice Youth Project run by Young Social Innovators is one of ten youth-led climate justice projects funded by the Department of Education and Youth.
The Youth Climate Justice Project
The project will run from early September to the end of December 2026. Through a series of youth-led workshops, creative activities and digital media projects, participants will examine how climate change is affecting their local environments, communities and future opportunities. Young people will explore issues such as coastal change, biodiversity loss, rural sustainability and community resilience, while also connecting these local experiences to wider global climate justice challenges.
Who can participate?
Twelve learners from Gorey Youth Reach will participate in the project as part of their weekly timetable. A further twelve places are available for a separate project in Gorey Youth Needs Group. Anyone aged between 16-21 with an interest in climate change and/or creativity can apply. The workshops will be held in on Thursday afternoons, starting with a welcome session on 03 September 2026.
There is no cost for participation and all materials will be provided. Click here for more information and to apply.
Young Social Innovators
Young Social Innovators (YSI) is a non-profit organisation that empowers young people to use their talents, insights, passion and creativity to come up with innovative solutions to social challenges. For over 25 years, our fun and engaging programmes have supported students to create team-based action-projects on issues they care about, putting their innovative ideas into action to bring about positive social change for the benefit of people, communities and the environment. Young Social Innovators empowers young people to reimagine the world into one that is more caring, equal and fair, and to come together to bring their ideas to life. Through engagement in YSI and, through our research and advocacy, young people are given a voice and agency on the issues that matter to them.
Meet the facilitator
Joy Redmond is a Multidisciplinary Artist from the Gorey. She writes fiction, essays and drama and makes prints to tell visual stories. Joy has received Literature and Visual Arts awards from the Arts Council. Inspired by her studies in Ecoliteracy with Dr. Cathy Fitzgerald at the Haumea Ecoversity, Joy is in the early stages of developing an ecological art practice.
Email: joy@youngsocialinnovators.ie
The Department of Education and Youth
The Youth Climate Justice Fund helps young people aged 10 to 25 design and participate in projects that raise awareness, build skills and drive practical action on climate issues within their communities. This year’s projects include:
- A project strengthening climate literacy, youth leadership and civic engagement through workshops, digital storytelling and collaborative arts.
- A series of themed events marking Climate Justice Week, culminating in an Earth Gala.
- A Climate Justice residential for 50 young people led by the National Youth Council of Ireland.
- A hydrogen education programme delivering an inclusive, hands-on approach to renewable energy to 100 young people.
- A project focusing on UN Sustainable Development Goal 15(Life on Land), including activities such as bird-box building and conservation tasks.
- The development and distribution of Climate Justice toolkits for volunteers and youth workers.
- A sustainable theatre-making initiative promoting environmentally responsible practices in costumes, sets and design.
- The establishment and development of a Youth Climate Justice Innovation Team at Lough Dan in County Wicklow.
Since its establishment in 2020, the Youth Climate Justice Fund has provided almost €3.5 million in support to youth-led initiatives underpinned by Government’s continued investment in empowering young people to play an active role in climate action.