Applications Now Open for GOAL’s NextGen 2023 Youth Programme!

admin April 18, 2023

4 minutes read

DEADLINE: 05 May 2023

Applications Now Open for GOAL’s NextGen 2023 Youth Programme!

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 all about the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in relation to food and climate action, and how we can strive to create a fairer and more sustainable future for all. Participants will collaborate in creating awareness-raising materials to help share their learnings and hopes for our connected world.

The programme is a 7-week engagement with young people in Ireland and select GOAL programme countries focused on creating the learning and empowerment opportunities necessary for positive youth-led change. Through participatory workshops and cross-cultural collaborations, youth programme participants will deepen their understanding of global citizenship and linked global justice issues.

Much more than a once-off programme, upon completion all participants of the programme will join GOAL’s NextGen Youth Network as the facilitators and multipliers of GOAL’s message of Global Citizenship.

When will it take place?

The 2023 Programme will consist of 7 sessions that take place online, with 2 sessions in person for Irish based participants.

Programme Dates:

Sat May 20 Irish based participants in-person 12-3pm. Hybrid meeting with all participants 3-4pm
Thurs May 25 All participants online 3-5pm
Thurs June 8 All participants online 3-5pm
Sat June 17 Irish based participants in-person 12-3pm. Hybrid meeting with all participants 3-4pm
Thurs June 22 All participants online 3-5pm
Thurs June 29 All participants online 3-5pm
Thurs July 13 All participants online 3-5pm

Seminars to take place on Thursdays at 3pm Irish Time and Saturdays 12pm Irish Time.

In order to ensure participation of this global cohort, seminars will take place on Thursdays at 3pm Irish Time (8am Honduras, 2pm Sierra Leone, 4pm Zimbabwe, 5pm Ethiopia & Uganda).

Seminars will last between 1 and 2 hours and can be adjusted according to the needs of the group and the topic at hand.

What will I learn?

Over these 7 sessions, participants will work with peers across the world 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 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 we looking for in a candidate?

To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Comfortably fluent in English.
Between 18 and 25 years old.
Available for 7 seminars between May and July. Seminars will be between 1-2 hours, and 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 disciplinary.)
Current resident of Ireland, Ethiopia, Honduras, Sierra Leone, Uganda, or Zimbabwe.
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.

How do I apply?

Email [email protected] with the subject line Name, Country, NextGen Youth Application by May 5th
In your email let us know if you have access to a phone or laptop
Attach your CV (keep it simple! an outline of your educational background, voluntary and/or professional work is enough), and a 1 page cover letter to [email protected] addresses the following points:
1. Tell us about yourself! Why are you applying for this programme, and why do you think you are a good fit?
2. What skills do you bring to this programme, and what would you like to gain from it?

Closing Date

Applications close May 5th. Successful applicants will be notified of selection by May 12th. 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’s NextGen Youth Diversity and Inclusion

GOAL is committed to widening participation and achieving equity of access to non-formal Global Citizenship Education for participants from under-represented groups in the sector. We especially welcome and encourage applications from participants with diverse identities, socio-economically disadvantaged participants, participants with disabilities, participants from ethnic minority backgrounds and participants from any groups facing marginalisation.

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.