Apply now for GOAL’s NextGen Youth Programme

This programme will guide young, motivated changemakers to learn about the growing crises facing the world with a focus on conflict, climate, and gender.

Participants will then work together to imagine solutions for the future by creating awareness-raising materials that will feed into GOAL’s public engagement activities.

Stipend Eligibility

• In order to support participation, stipends will be available for all successful participants. Stipends are intended to cover costs of internet and data as well as any travel costs incurred during the programme.
• Stipends of €400 for the duration of the programme are available for all successful participants.

What will I learn?

• Over these 10 sessions, participants will work with peers globally to develop skills in critical thinking, intercultural communication, project management, teamwork, and the fundamentals of organising and implementing public awareness campaigns.
• By taking part you will be empowered to:
  • Understand the diverse and interconnected nature of the world.
  • Critically interrogate the systems that perpetuate inequalities.
  • Reflect upon your own role and the role of others in tackling local and global challenges.
  • Engage in dialogue with others in a spirit of empathy, inclusivity, solidarity and collaboration.
  • Develop the courage, confidence and resilience to speak out for change.
  • Understand the GOAL’s work and have the opportunity to connect with GOAL staff.

What are they looking for in a candidate?

To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Current resident of Ireland, Ethiopia, Honduras, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Uganda, or Zimbabwe.
• Comfortably fluent in English.
• Between 18 and 25 years old.
• Available for 10 seminars between May and July. Sessions will fall on Thursdays and Saturdays.
• Be open and willing to engage in teamwork in between seminars.
• Demonstrate basic/emerging understanding of local and global issues.
• Show clear initiative and desire to be a part of positive change (this could be demonstrated through volunteering, participation in local events, workshop facilitation, tutoring, creative extra-curricular activities, etc.).
• Interest in participating in artistic methods of learning (this could be demonstrated through a passion for drama, art, creative writing, journalism, music or any other artistic discipline).
• Reliable access to a “device” and internet is desired but not essential.

When will it take place?

• The 2024 Programme will consist of 10 sessions that take place online, with 3 sessions in-person for Irish based participants.
• Programme Dates:
  • Sat May 25 Irish based participants in-person 11-4pm.
  • Tue May 28 International participants online 3-5pm
  • Thu June 6 All participants online 3-5pm
  • Thu June 13 All participants online 3-5pm
  • Thu June 20 All participants online 3-5pm
  • Thu June 27 All participants online 3-5pm
  • Sat & Sun June 29, 30 Irish based participants in person retreat. Time and location TBC.
  • Thu July 4 All participants online 3-5pm
  • Thu July 11 All participants online 3-5pm
  • Thu July 18 Irish based participants in-person 11-3pm. Hybrid meeting with all participants 2-3-pm
• Sessions to take place on Thursdays at 3pm Irish Time and Saturdays 11am Irish Time. Dates and times will be confirmed before the start of the programme.
• In order to ensure participation of this global cohort, sessions will take place on Thursdays at 3pm Irish Time (8am Honduras, 2pm Sierra Leone, 4pm Zimbabwe, 5pm Ethiopia & Uganda).

For more information, visit GOAL.