The Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, has announced €500,000 in grants for ten youth-led climate justice projects to run across Ireland in 2026, reinforcing the Government's commitment to enabling young people to lead climate action in their communities.

The successful projects span national and regional initiatives, including a social innovation programme in the west of Ireland and a Scouting Ireland programme centred on the Lough Dan Scout and Eco Centre in County Wicklow.

Through the Youth Climate Justice Fund, young people aged 10 to 25 will design and participate in activities that grow awareness, build skills and deliver practical climate action. This year's initiatives include:

- A west of Ireland project to boost climate literacy, youth leadership and civic participation via workshops, digital storytelling and collaborative arts.

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- A programme of themed events for Climate Justice Week, culminating in an Earth Gala.

- A Climate Justice residential for 50 young people led by the National Youth Council of Ireland.

- An inclusive, hands-on hydrogen education programme for 100 young people.

- A project focused on SDG 15 (Life on Land), including bird‑box building and conservation tasks.

- Development and roll-out of Climate Justice toolkits for volunteers and youth workers.

- A sustainable theatre-making initiative promoting greener approaches to costumes, sets and design.

- Establishment of a Youth Climate Justice Innovation Team at Lough Dan in County Wicklow.

Together, these projects will strengthen climate education, deepen community engagement, run awareness campaigns and support hands‑on environmental activities nationwide.

Since its launch in 2020, the Youth Climate Justice Fund has provided almost €3.5 million to youth‑led climate initiatives, backed by continued Government investment.

Minister Naughton said: "Government is backing young people with real investment and meaningful opportunities to lead on climate action in their own communities. The Youth Climate Justice Fund demonstrates our commitment to empowering the next generation to move from awareness to action, supporting projects that are practical and rooted in local engagement. These projects show what can be achieved when young people are given the resources to lead.

"I am determined to continue building on this progress, ensuring that young participation and leadership remain central to out national response to climate change, while delivering tangible outcomes for communities across the country."