Following on from Part 1, I wanted to focus on programmes that second-level or third-level students can apply to. All of these programmes are extracurricular programmes that are designed to enhance the students’ educational experience and give them a more rounded view of the world, their industry or awards they can apply to receive external approval for their work. This is part 2. If you prefer to view a summary, please view this video
Eurodesk Ireland runs a dynamic Ambassador initiative designed to connect young people with free, reliable information on studying, working, volunteering, and travelling across Europe. Managed nationally by Léargas, the Irish National Agency for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, the network recruits passionate youth advocates and past programme participants aged 18 to 30 to champion European opportunities directly within their local communities and peer networks.
Operating at the grassroots level of European youth information, ambassadors collaborate closely with regional Eurodesk multipliers, youth work organisations, and national support structures. Participants take part in specialised training covering European funding programmes, communication strategies, and public speaking, equipping them to design local awareness events, contribute feedback on national information resources, and create engaging digital content, such as blogs, videos, and articles, for online platforms.
Ultimately, the programme bridges the gap between institutional EU resources and everyday young people, ensuring that youth from all backgrounds across Ireland are empowered to take advantage of life-changing international experiences.
The European Union–United Nations Youth Delegates Programme is a landmark initiative designed to institutionalise youth participation within high-level international diplomacy. Organised in cooperation with the European Youth Forum (YFJ) and EU member states’ National Youth Councils (such as the National Youth Council of Ireland), the programme selects young representatives for a 12-month mandate to serve as official members of the EU Delegation to the United Nations in New York. During their term, the delegates actively participate in sessions of the UN General Assembly, its main committees, and functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Operating at the core of international policymaking, the youth delegates bridge grassroots realities and formal multilateral governance.
They advocate for youth rights, collaborate closely with national youth delegates from individual EU member states, coordinate side events, and ensure that a strong youth perspective is embedded across the UN’s core pillars of peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. Furthermore, they engage in extensive public outreach across Europe—hosting workshops, digital campaigns, and community dialogues to demystify international diplomacy and encourage civic participation among their peers.
Eurodesk Ireland runs a dynamic Ambassador initiative designed to connect young people with free, reliable information on studying, working, volunteering, and travelling across Europe. Managed nationally by Léargas, the Irish National Agency for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, the network recruits passionate youth advocates and past programme participants aged 18 to 30 to champion European opportunities directly within their local communities and peer networks.
Operating at the grassroots level of European youth information, ambassadors collaborate closely with regional Eurodesk multipliers, youth work organisations, and national support structures. Participants take part in specialised training covering European funding programmes, communication strategies, and public speaking, equipping them to design local awareness events, contribute feedback on national information resources, and create engaging digital content, such as blogs, videos, and articles, for online platforms.
Ultimately, the programme bridges the gap between institutional EU resources and everyday young people, ensuring that youth from all backgrounds across Ireland are empowered to take advantage of life-changing international experiences.
The European Climate Pact Ambassador initiative is a flagship EU-wide network supported by the European Commission as a core component of the European Green Deal. The programme brings together thousands of dedicated citizens, activists, educators, and experts from all member states, including a vibrant cohort in Ireland, who volunteer to champion climate action in their local communities. Ambassadors act as vital bridges between EU-level sustainability policies and everyday citizens, working to demystify green transitions and encourage practical, grassroots behavioural changes.
Operating at the community level, ambassadors engage in diverse activities such as hosting public workshops, organising local clean-up or tree-planting events, writing educational articles, and leading discussions on energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, and the circular economy. The initiative provides participants with exclusive training, networking opportunities, and resources from the European Commission to amplify their impact and scale up successful local projects. Ultimately, the European Climate Pact Ambassador programme empowers grassroots changemakers to accelerate Europe’s journey toward a climate-neutral future by fostering a culture of shared environmental responsibility.
The Formula Female Go Girls program is a pioneering educational initiative dedicated to inspiring and empowering young women by bridging the exciting gap between motorsport, automotive engineering, and essential STEM education. By immersing participating students in highly interactive workshops, live driving experiences, and technological demonstrations, the program actively demystifies these traditionally male-dominated industries from an early age. It provides participants with invaluable opportunities to engage directly with professional mentors, explore technical career pathways, and gain hands-on familiarity with advanced simulation technology and complex vehicle dynamics.
Through targeted outreach across schools and communities, the initiative works tirelessly to dismantle persistent gender stereotypes and build a confident, supportive network of future female leaders, skilled engineers, and competitive athletes.
By fostering early interest and building crucial practical skill sets, Formula Female ensures that young women are thoroughly equipped to pursue ambitious professional and competitive careers both on and off the racetrack. Ultimately, this comprehensive program creates a lasting cultural shift, driving greater diversity and inclusion across the global motorsport landscape while unlocking unprecedented potential for the next generation of talented pioneers.
Foróige is Ireland’s leading and largest youth organisation, working extensively with young people aged 10 to 18 to enable them to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own personal development and the broader development of society. Established in 1952, the organisation operates through a vast network of volunteer-led youth clubs, specialised targeted projects, and leadership initiatives across rural and urban communities nationwide. By providing safe, inclusive spaces and positive adult mentorship, Foróige empowers young individuals to build essential life skills, boost their self-confidence, and make informed, healthy choices about their futures.
Through prominent initiatives like the Leadership for Life program and various civic engagement projects, the charity encourages youth to become active, responsible contributors to their local communities
It tackles crucial contemporary social issues, offering vital support for mental health, digital safety, and youth entrepreneurship. Ultimately, Foróige champions the authentic voice of young people on both national and international stages, ensuring that every participant receives the guidance, encouragement, and recognition necessary to reach their absolute full potential and thrive
The Frank Jennings Fellowship is a 12.5-month early-career programme designed for recent graduates seeking hands-on experience in international human rights protection. Named after Front Line Defenders’ former Head of Research, the fellowship bridges grassroots NGO advocacy with high-level multilateral diplomacy. It begins with an initial 3.5-month phase at Front Line Defenders headquarters in Dublin, where fellows train on protection needs, draft urgent appeals for at-risk human rights defenders, and manage documentation databases.
The fellow then transitions to a six-month placement in Geneva as an intern with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Working closely with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, tasks include analysing global cases, communicating with governments, and contributing to Human Rights Council reports.
The programme concludes with a final three-month consolidation phase back in Dublin. Open to candidates with native-level English and professional fluency in French or Spanish, the fellowship includes a competitive annual stipend, relocation flights, comprehensive insurance coverage, and dedicated well-being support.
The Fulbright Commission Ireland administers prestigious binational educational exchanges designed to foster mutual understanding and strengthen relations between Ireland and the United States. Established through a formal bilateral agreement, the commission provides merit-based grants that empower exceptional students, academics, researchers, and professionals to study, lecture, or conduct vital investigations abroad. By supporting diverse fields spanning scientific innovation, technology, the humanities, and the arts, the organisation bridges cultural and academic divides, ensuring that participants gain global perspectives while addressing complex societal challenges.
Beyond academic funding, the commission acts as a catalyst for long-term professional collaboration and leadership development. It facilitates bidirectional travel, enabling Irish scholars to expand their expertise at American institutions and allowing U.S. researchers to immerse themselves in Ireland’s rich academic and cultural landscape, including specialised programs like Gaeltacht language awards. Ultimately, the network of alumni builds enduring institutional partnerships and cultivates international solidarity, creating meaningful, positive impacts within communities across both nations. Furthermore, these prestigious programs cultivate invaluable global networks and leadership skills that empower participants to drive sustainable innovation, champion cultural diplomacy, and address critical challenges facing modern society across both nations.
Established in 1985, Gaisce is Ireland’s most prestigious youth award programme, challenging participants aged 14 to 25 to set and achieve ambitious personal goals across three progressive levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Operating through a network of trained adult leaders known as President’s Award Leaders, the non-competitive initiative fosters resilience, self-reliance, and active citizenship by encouraging young people to push their personal boundaries and discover hidden strengths.
To earn an award, participants must successfully complete challenges across four core pillars. These include Community Involvement through volunteering, developing Personal Skills like music or coding, engaging in Physical Recreation, and undertaking a team-based Adventure Journey expedition. Ultimately, the programme empowers individuals to build lifelong leadership capabilities, deepen their self-awareness, and contribute meaningful, positive impacts to their local and global communities across generations.
Additionally, by participating in these diverse activities, young people develop crucial life competencies such as effective teamwork, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, ensuring they are exceptionally well-prepared to navigate future personal and professional challenges with confidence and integrity.
The Global Ireland Young Leaders Programme is designed to inspire independent, creative thinking among secondary school students, specifically Transition Year students in Ireland and senior cycle students in Northern Ireland, regarding Ireland’s place in the world. Organised through the Department of Foreign Affairs, the initiative often challenges participants to submit thoughtful written or video projects reflecting on major diplomatic milestones, international development, and the future of Irish Aid.
Selected participants are typically invited to take part in an exclusive, multi-day immersive experience at the Department’s offices in Dublin. During this programme, young leaders engage directly with diplomats, policymakers, and international affairs experts, gaining firsthand insight into global citizenship, diplomacy, and cross-border cooperation. Ultimately, the initiative fosters civic engagement and empowers the next generation to critically analyse Ireland’s enduring impact on global humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts.
Furthermore, by participating in these unique workshops and collaborative sessions, students build foundational advocacy skills, deepen their understanding of international human rights, and gain a profound appreciation for multilateral diplomacy as a tool for positive global transformation.
The Dublin Hub is part of the worldwide Global Shapers Community, an international network established by the World Economic Forum to empower extraordinary young leaders to take action on pressing local and global challenges. Comprising a vibrant mix of professionals, academics, and activists from various cultural and professional backgrounds, the Dublin team focuses its local efforts on key areas such as climate change action, gender equality, education, and social inclusion.
Operating on the belief that grassroots action can drive massive systemic change, the hub designs and implements collaborative projects tailored to improving the diverse fabric of Dublin society. Through community-driven initiatives, public discourse, and partnerships with other global hubs, members cultivate essential leadership skills while amplifying youth perspectives in regional and international decision-making spaces.
Google Developer Student Clubs function across higher education institutions in Ireland as vibrant student-led communities focused on modern developer technologies. These chapters bring together undergraduate and graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds who share a common passion for software engineering, mobile development, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. By organising interactive workshops, technical hackathons, and collaborative coding sessions, these campus groups create an engaging environment where members can enhance their technical proficiency.
Beyond individual skill development, the initiative emphasises creating practical solutions for local community issues and societal challenges. Students regularly collaborate on real-world projects, often participating in global initiatives like the annual Solution Challenge to design impact-driven applications using Google tools.
Held at the expansive Google Docks facility, the event challenges ambitious student teams to rapidly prototype advanced web applications, mobile solutions, or powerful backend tools using cutting-edge developer utilities like Google AI Studio and Cloud Workstations. Throughout the fast-paced day of collaborative creation, participants receive direct and invaluable hands-on mentorship from seasoned Google software engineers who provide expert guidance on system architecture, code debugging, and product strategy.
Projects are rigorously evaluated by a panel of judges based on technical execution, creative product design, overall innovation, and real-world business impact, with top-performing teams winning premium Google hardware and exclusive prizes.
Beyond the competitive spirit of the day, this hackathon offers attendees a uniquely valuable window into upcoming internship and graduate recruitment pipelines ahead of the competitive autumn hiring cycle, connecting aspiring technologists directly with industry leaders.
HackEurope is a premier multi-city student hackathon that unites young developers, designers, and innovators across Europe for an intensive, collaborative software-building marathon. Operated by PATCH and hosted simultaneously across major international tech hubs, including Dublin, Paris, and Stockholm. The initiative brings together hundreds of ambitious student builders. Over an action-packed weekend sprint, participants brainstorm, code, and prototype ambitious technical projects completely from scratch, while leveraging mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities with leading technology companies and experienced industry founders.
Designed to foster cross-border collaboration and hands-on creation, the event provides an exceptional platform for students to showcase their technical prowess, tackle complex real-world challenges, and connect with top-tier technical sponsors.
By removing traditional barriers to entry and strongly encouraging creative experimentation, HackEurope plays a crucial role in empowering the next generation of European tech entrepreneurs and software engineers. Ultimately, the event serves as a vibrant launchpad for turning raw ideas into functional code, building lasting international friendships, and cultivating a unified, highly motivated community of young builders across the continent who are eager to shape the future of technology.
The Health Service Excellence Awards represent a vital opportunity to highlight and celebrate the remarkable contributions made daily across Ireland’s public health system. By showcasing diverse initiatives, these awards promote shared learning and encourage teams to implement projects that create real, lasting improvements for patients and service users. The programme is open to all clinical and non-clinical staff within hospitals, primary care, community services, and the voluntary sector, fostering a culture of excellence and pride in public service delivery.
Projects submitted for consideration must demonstrate measurable impacts, such as improved access to care, enhanced patient experiences, or increased operational efficiency. There are five distinct categories for entry, including innovation in integrated care, patient experience, quality and safety, digital solutions, and environmental sustainability.
These categories align with national strategic objectives like Sláintecare and the HSE Climate Action Strategy. By providing a national platform for grassroots innovation, the awards inspire staff to develop patient-centred solutions that can be transferred to other healthcare settings. This collaborative approach ensures that successful practices are adopted more widely, ultimately strengthening the entire health service and demonstrating the profound dedication of staff working to improve health outcomes throughout the country.
The Ireland–UK Youth Forum operates as a premier multi-jurisdictional initiative designed to strengthen civil ties, cultural understanding, and bilateral relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Bringing together approximately sixty young delegates aged sixteen to twenty-four from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, the program establishes a dedicated platform for emerging leaders. Guided by a specialised Youth Advisory Group, participants engage in interactive workshops and innovative brainstorming sessions to address shared societal concerns, economic hurdles, environmental sustainability, and diverse regional challenges.
Beyond facilitating cultural exchange, the forum emphasises tangible policy impact by channelling youth perspectives directly into formal governmental structures.
Collaborative findings and strategic recommendations compiled during the annual sessions are presented directly to the Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister, ensuring fresh generational insights inform high-level decision-making. By rotating its host location annually across participating regions, the initiative maintains continuous dialogue, fosters mutual understanding, and builds a sustainable foundation for long-term international cooperation and lasting bilateral friendship.
The Irish Red Cross Youth Leadership Programme functions as a cornerstone initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of humanitarian leaders across communities nationwide. Operating under the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, and voluntary service, the program engages young volunteers in structured training modules focused on personal development, effective communication, and civic responsibility. Participants take part in interactive workshops, first-aid training, and national youth camps, gaining the practical tools necessary to guide peer groups and address pressing local challenges with confidence and empathy.
Beyond individual skill-building, the initiative emphasises active community engagement and global citizenship, encouraging members to lead humanitarian projects that tackle social inclusion, health education, and environmental awareness. By offering pathways into national committees and international exchanges, the program ensures that young voices directly influence organisational decision-making.
Ultimately, it fosters a lifelong commitment to peacebuilding, resilience, and humanitarian action, preparing participants to shape a compassionate and socially conscious future within Irish society.
The Irish Research Council (IRC) Employment-Based Programme operates as a strategic national initiative designed to bridge academic excellence with commercial and public-sector expertise. By co-funding postgraduate researchers, the scheme enables candidates to pursue master’s or doctoral qualifications while embedded as employees within a diverse range of employment partners, including multinational corporations, small-and-medium enterprises, public agencies, and non-governmental organisations. This dual-status arrangement ensures that scholars divide their time between rigorous academic supervision and hands-on, industry-led research environments.
For participating organisations, the program offers a low-risk, highly effective pathway to drive research development, tackle complex operational challenges, and integrate fresh talent directly into their workforce. Meanwhile, early-career researchers cultivate vital technical and transferable skills, enhancing their future employability across varied professional sectors.
Ultimately, the initiative strengthens Ireland’s innovation ecosystem by fostering collaborative knowledge exchange and aligning academic research with real-world economic and societal needs.
Operating as the national umbrella body for second level students, the union spearheads vital campaigns that directly influence educational policy. Campaigns frequently focus on reforming assessment structures, expanding school counselling services, and ensuring inclusive environments for all students. The organisation ensures that student voices remain central to national education debates.
Elected student representatives coordinate nationwide actions, consult with parliamentary committees, and produce comprehensive policy submissions. This direct involvement in advocacy instils deep civic responsibility and democratic engagement among participating teenagers. The union acts as an indispensable engine for progressive reform within Ireland’s educational landscape.
Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) is a prominent educational non-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring and motivating young people to realise their full potential by valuing education and understanding how to succeed in the modern workforce. Established in 1996, JAI partners extensively with schools and leading corporate organisations nationwide to deliver engaging, hands-on, experiential learning programmes. By mobilising trained professionals from the active workforce to act as relatable mentors and role models, the organisation bridges the vital gap between classroom theory and real-world application for students across primary and secondary levels.
The organisation’s comprehensive curricula focus heavily on core pillars including entrepreneurship, financial literacy, employability, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
Through interactive workshops and guided activities, JAI equips students with critical transversal skills such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking, helping them navigate an evolving economic landscape. Ultimately, the charity fosters a culture of enterprise and ambition, encouraging students to stay in school, build confidence, and acquire the practical tools necessary to shape successful, sustainable, and fulfilling futures.
The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors initiative functions as a worldwide community designed to bridge academic study with practical technological innovation. Open to students aged sixteen and older enrolled in accredited institutions, the program focuses on developing advanced proficiencies in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, software development, and modern digital tools. Participants gain access to exclusive Microsoft resources, including monthly Azure cloud credits, developer software subscriptions, specialised training paths, and professional certification vouchers. Each participating university chapter maintains a dedicated fifty-seat capacity limit to ensure localised engagement, focused peer mentorship, and high-impact collaborative project execution.
Beyond individual technical growth, the initiative emphasises leadership and community empowerment.
Student ambassadors act as local tech leaders by organising campus workshops, hosting hackathons, creating educational content, and building collaborative networks. As members progress through structured milestone tiers, they unlock enhanced mentorship opportunities, connect with Microsoft MVPs and industry professionals, and collaborate on global challenges like the Imagine Cup. Ultimately, the program prepares the next generation of technologists to solve real-world problems and stand out in the global job market.
The Migrant Leadership Academy is a premier annual leadership and community organising programme run by the Immigrant Council of Ireland today. Specifically designed to empower migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers living across the country, the initiative supports individuals who are deeply committed to advancing social justice, equality, and positive systemic change within their local communities. Participants tackle essential topics including grassroots activism, public speaking, political mobilisation, and rights-based advocacy. Through expert-led workshops and collaborative peer discussions, attendees build robust networks that combat social isolation and foster long-term professional resilience throughout their civic journey, moving forward together each and every year.
The comprehensive blended curriculum combines immersive residential training sessions in County Dublin with dynamic weekly online modules tailored for busy participant schedules.
Participants gain practical tools to design, launch, and manage their own community integration projects and human rights campaigns successfully today. Graduates automatically gain lifelong access to the exclusive Migrant and Refugee Leaders Network, ensuring ongoing mentorship, collaboration opportunities, and leadership visibility. This vital Academy significantly increases diverse representation across Irish civic society, actively empowering passionate voices to drive meaningful, lasting structural transformation nationwide today without any doubt, moving forward right now in our modern changing world today.
The Model European Union (MEU) framework functions as an elite educational simulation designed to replicate the intricate dynamics of European governance. Gathering participants from diverse academic and national backgrounds, the program immerses aspiring professionals in the realities of multinational negotiation. Attendees step into specific roles, including Members of the European Parliament, Council Ministers, lobbyists, and independent journalists, to debate critical, real-world legislative dossiers concerning digital regulation, climate policy, and migration reform.
Beyond enhancing public speaking and strategic thinking, the simulation provides deep insight into how intergovernmental consensus is built under strict political pressure. Participants navigate the ordinary legislative procedure, draft amendments, and build cross-border coalitions, bridging the gap between theoretical classroom study and practical civic engagement.
Ultimately, these conferences cultivate a sophisticated understanding of European democracy while establishing resilient professional networks among the continent’s future diplomats, policymakers, and public affairs leaders.
The National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) is a joint body established by SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority to manage, oversee, and develop all aspects of the national apprenticeship system in Ireland. Acting as a single point of contact for employers, apprentices, and training providers, the office is responsible for implementing the Government’s Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025. This roadmap aims to transform apprenticeship into a single, cohesive, and highly regarded system, ensuring strong industry collaboration, enhanced equity of access, and high-quality training standards across the country
Since its inception in 2022, the NAO has overseen significant growth, supporting a landscape where over 28,000 apprentices are currently training across more than 77 programmes. By working alongside 40 education and training providers and thousands of employers, the office drives the expansion of diverse vocational pathways.
It maintains a robust pipeline of new apprenticeship proposals, focusing on core objectives to professionalise the sector and meet ambitious registration targets. Through its centralised coordination and commitment to quality, the NAO ensures that apprenticeships remain a vital component of Ireland’s economic and social development, offering sustainable career opportunities for learners while addressing the evolving skill needs of the national workforce.
The National Scratch Competition is Ireland’s premier annual coding contest designed to encourage creativity, computing skills, and software development among primary and secondary school students. Established by Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, in collaboration with the Irish Computer Society, the competition invites young people to build interactive animations, games, and applications using the Scratch programming language.
Students can participate individually or in groups across various age categories, submitting their digital projects either through their schools or via after-school coding clubs like CoderDojo.
The initiative aims to demystify programming and foster early problem-solving abilities, providing comprehensive educational resources, lesson plans, and workbooks to support teachers and mentors. Culminating in a prestigious annual national finals event hosted at the University of Limerick, the competition celebrates standout young creators, awarding certificates to every participant and shining a spotlight on the next generation of Ireland’s digital innovators. By making computer science accessible, engaging, and collaborative, the competition plays a vital role in building foundational STEM skills across Irish classrooms.