A new initiative for young people to explore how to inspire environmental innovations through the Irish language and its traditions.
A new youth education programme has been launched by the Academy of the Near Future at the CONNECT Centre (Trinity College) in partnership with Gaelbhratach, Gael Linn. This week-long initiative will involve practical workshops that will address environmental challenges and explore how the Irish language and its traditions can inspire creative, sustainable and technological solutions for the future.
‘Treoraigh do Thodhchaí’ encourages students aged 15-17 to reflect on the role of the Irish language in their own lives and explore its importance in the wider context of environmental sustainability.
The project was held last year in Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Co. Galway, from Monday, March 31 to Friday, April 4, 2025. This was the first Irish-medium version of the Design Your Future City programme, which has been run by the Academy of the Near Future annually in Dublin since 2022.
Grace D’arcy, Programme Manager, Academy of the Near Future said: “We are excited to be expanding our innovative approach to youth-led sustainability and citizenship education by making it available in Irish for the first time. This initiative celebrates the creativity and transdisciplinary potential of the Irish language for global citizenship education.”
Commenting on the launch, Dr. Mairéad Hurley, Assistant Professor of Science Education in Society, School of Education, Trinity College: “This new initiative provides a great opportunity for students to build confidence, collaboration and problem-solving skills, and explore the role of Irish language and culture in shaping a sustainable future. It will also draw on the expertise of Trinity College School of Education’s Critical Change Lab programme, an EU project exploring creative educational approaches to promote active citizenship and youth activism.”
Also speaking about the initiative, Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Gaelbhratach Manager, Gael Linn said: “Gael Linn is delighted to be collaborating on the ‘Lead Your Future’ initiative, creating opportunities for young people to imagine a brighter future. Through the Gaelbhratach scheme we see the creativity and passion that young people have when given the opportunity to lead and shape their own future. This project is a great opportunity to amplify the voice of the student and combine their innovative ideas with the power of our language and culture to create a brighter and more sustainable future.”
Support from the Department of Education
The programme is being run with support from the Education for Sustainable Development Fund to 2030, a fund of the Department of Education and Youth. Commenting on the initiative, Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, said: “I am delighted to see that ‘Guide Your Future’ is now open for applications, supported by the Education for Sustainable Development Fund to 2030. I am particularly pleased to see it being run for the first time in the Gaeltacht community in Galway, with plans to expand it to the Gaeltacht community in Kerry in the coming months. This will encourage students to get involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to get excited about the role they can play in tackling climate issues in their community, using technology.”
Highlights from the programme
Over the course of the week, the selected students had the opportunity to:
● Attend interactive workshops integrating aspects of Irish language and culture with sustainability and technology
● Collaborate with Irish language experts to develop a deeper understanding of the Irish language and traditions
● Experiment with citizen science to address the environmental challenges facing modern cities, through the lens of Irish culture
● Meet with STEM, design and innovation experts who will guide students in bringing their ideas to life with a sustainability focus
About Gaelbhratach:
Gaelbhratach is a scheme run by Gael Linn and is open to schools across the country at primary and post-primary level. Schools are recognised for their efforts to promote the active use of Irish outside of Irish class. The focus is on linking the language with activities that students enjoy and creating regular opportunities to use more Irish on a daily basis. Gaelbhratach receives funding from Foras na Gaeilge; the Department of Education and Youth; and the Department for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
About the Academy of the Near Future:
The Academy of the Near Future is a collaboration between the Centre for Future Networks & Communications Research at CONNECT, Trinity College Dublin, and Dublin City Council. More than 2,500 students have taken part in programs of this kind to date.
About The Critical ChangeLab:
The Critical ChangeLab project is a research initiative funded by the European Union, led by the School of Education at Trinity College, which develops a youth-led, interdisciplinary approach to democratic education and global citizenship in Europe.