Youth Climate Justice Project 2026 | Free Creative Workshops in Gorey

Young Social Innovators (YSI) is inviting applications from young people aged 16–21 in the Gorey area to participate in the Youth Climate Justice Project 2026.

The free youth-led project will run from September to December 2026 and will use visual art, digital storytelling and spoken word to help young people explore climate justice and its impact on their communities.

Participants will have the opportunity to examine local environmental challenges while connecting their experiences to wider global climate justice issues.

About the Youth Climate Justice Project

The Youth Climate Justice Project is designed to give young people a creative platform to explore how climate change is affecting their local environment, communities and future opportunities.

Through a series of interactive workshops, participants will explore topics including:

• Coastal change
• Biodiversity loss
• Rural sustainability
• Community resilience
• Climate justice
• Local environmental challenges
• Global climate change issues

The project encourages young people to use creativity and storytelling to express their experiences, perspectives and ideas about climate change.

What Will Participants Do?

Participants will take part in weekly creative workshops focused on:

Visual Art

Young people will explore climate justice through creative visual expression. No previous experience in traditional art is required.

Digital Storytelling

Participants will learn how to use digital storytelling to communicate climate-related experiences, ideas and community perspectives.

Spoken Word

The workshops will also provide an opportunity for participants to explore spoken word as a creative way of discussing climate justice and environmental change.

The programme emphasizes creative collaboration, youth leadership and storytelling.

Who Can Apply?

The project is looking for 12 young people aged 16–21 who:

• Live in or are connected to the Gorey area
• Have an interest in learning more about climate justice
• Are interested in participating in weekly creative workshops
• Are willing to explore environmental and community issues through creative expression

You do not need to be an experienced artist to participate. Creativity can take many forms and is not limited to painting or drawing.

Project Facilitator

The workshops will be facilitated by Joy Redmond, a local multidisciplinary artist and YSI Local Leader who has been working with Young Social Innovators since 2024.

Joy has previously facilitated workshops in the area covering topics including Designing Inclusive Cities and Communities, the Sustainable Development Goals, innovation and social enterprise.

Benefits of Participating

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Develop creative and storytelling skills
• Learn more about climate justice and environmental issues
• Explore local climate challenges and their global connections
• Express their ideas through art, digital storytelling and spoken word
• Work collaboratively with other young people
• Develop greater awareness of community resilience and sustainability
• Build confidence in communicating their perspectives
• Take part in a youth-led climate initiative

Programme Details

Project: Youth Climate Justice Project 2026
Organizer: Young Social Innovators
Location: Gorey, Ireland
Venue: Gorey Youth Needs Group Ltd
Age: 16–21
Number of Participants: 12
Dates: September–December 2026
Start Date: 3 September 2026
Schedule: Thursday afternoons
Cost: Free
Materials: All materials provided at no cost

Funding

The initiative is funded by the Department of Education and Youth through the Youth Climate Justice Fund.

The project is one of ten youth-led climate projects supported nationally in 2026.

How to Apply

Young people interested in participating should complete the short application form before the deadline.

Application Deadline: Monday, 24 August 2026

Application Link:
Apply for the Youth Climate Justice Project

Applicants will be informed of the outcome on Friday, 29 August 2026.

Important Information

The project is specifically designed for young people aged 16–21 with an interest in climate justice and creative collaboration.

Participation is completely free, and all materials required for the workshops will be provided.

Interested applicants should also be prepared to attend the weekly Thursday afternoon workshops from September through December.

Conclusion

The Youth Climate Justice Project 2026 provides young people in Gorey with a unique opportunity to explore climate change and climate justice through creativity, storytelling and collaboration.

With free workshops, materials provided, practical creative activities and a focus on youth-led climate action, the project offers participants a meaningful way to understand environmental challenges and share their perspectives.

If you are aged 16–21 and based in or around Gorey, consider applying before the 24 August 2026 deadline.

Discover more opportunities like this on the OFY webpage.