GOAL NextGen Youth Programme 2026: Global Leadership Programme for Young Changemakers (Stipend Available)

GOAL’s NextGen Youth Programme brings together young people from all over the world to better understand global justice issues and deepen their understanding of Global Citizenship.

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

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.

The 2026 Programme will consist of 10 sessions that take place online, with 2 sessions in-person for Irish based participants.

Programme Dates:  

• Sat May 23 Irish based participants in-person 11-4pm.
• Tue May 26 International participants online 3-5pm
• Thu June 4 All participants online 3-5pm
• Thu June 11 All participants online 3-5pm
• Saturday- Sunday June 20/21 Irish based participants in person retreat. Time and location TBC.
• Thu June 25 All participants online 3-5pm
• Thu July 2 All participants online 3-5pm
• Thu July 9 All participants online 3-5pm
• Thu July 16 All participants online 3-5pm

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).

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 our world.
• Critically interrogate the systems that underpin opportunities to engage and flourish in society.
• 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.

To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Current resident of Ireland, Ethiopia, Honduras, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Syria, Turkey, 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 (see timeline for actual dates).
• 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. If you do not have access to a device, please let us know in your application, and we will endeavour to support your participation.

To apply, please use the fields at the bottom of the page to upload the following:

1.    Your CV or Portfolio
Keep it simple, an outline of your educational background and any voluntary and/or professional experience is sufficient. Alternatively, you may include a short portfolio with examples of your work or projects to date.

2.    A 500 word cover letter addressing the following:

o   Tell us about yourself. Why are you applying for this programme, and why do you believe you are a strong fit?

o   Describe the skills you bring. What strengths or experiences will you contribute, and what do you hope to gain from participating?

Applications who do not follow this format will not be accepted.

                                                                                                          Or

Send us a two- minute video explaining why you are applying for this programme and why you believe you would be a strong fit. Describe the skills and strenghts you can contribute, and what you hope to gain from participating. Video submissions are strongly encourage.

Please note that video submissions need to be sent separately to somalley@goal.ie with your full name and country of participation in the email subject line, alongside your CV or portfolio. The CV/portfolio is a mandatory submission alongside the video application. Applications that do not adhere to these requests will not be considered.

Applications close on April 1st. Successful applicants will be notified of selection by May 2nd. If you are not selected to participate in this year’s cohort, we encourage you to stay in touch with us for other opportunities and to apply again next year.

GOAL is committed to widening participation and achieving equity of access to non-formal Global Citizenship Education. We welcome applications from participants with diverse identities, socio-economically diverse participants, participants with or without disabilities and participants from all ethnic backgrounds.

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.