Local Champions 

Applications for this year’s Local Champions initiative are now closed

About the Opportunity

We’re excited to be expanding our “Local Champions” initiative, to support our national campaign to increase investment in youth work funding – Youth Work Changes Lives.

We are now recruiting new “Local Champions”, young people who have benefited from youth work who will advocate in their communities to ensure youth work funding is firmly placed on the political agenda.

NYCI will deliver a tailored training programme across 2024, including an in-person training session in Dublin on 6th of April, and 3 online evening workshops in Apr/May to empower young people to act as advocates in their communities. New recruits will be joining our current group of Local Champions.

From there they will use the skills they have learned to lobby their local TDs and bring the impact of youth work home to their elected representatives.

How will ‘Local Champions’ benefit?

Through our tailored training and ongoing support, Local Champions will learn about:

  • Advocacy;
  • How to communicate political campaigns;
  • How to work with and influence politicians.

This programme will give young people practical opportunities to

  • get first-hand experience of the political system;
  • learn the importance of local politics and local action;
  • develop valuable communication and persuasion skills;
  • meet other like-minded young people and;
  • give voice to their experience of youth work in support of the Youth Work Changes Lives campaign.

What will Local Champions do?

  • Local Champions will attend an intensive in-person training day on 6th April in Dublin and receive tailored online evening workshops in April/May to develop their advocacy skills.
  • Contact your local TDs and meet them from May 2024 to July 2024.
  • Attend monthly online ‘check in’ meetings from May to support lobbying efforts.
  • Spread the word on and offline and show others the value of youth work in whatever other creative ways you feel inspired to do after our trainings!

NYCI will reimburse associated costs.

Application process

  • This programme is for 18–30-year-olds. Participants will apply through the form below and will receive a phone call from NYCI staff in the following weeks for an informal phone interview (5-10 mins). Final successful participants will then be notified by email.

Apply to become a local advocate using the form below. This will be a competitive process and NYCI is inviting applications from young people up to 8th March.

If you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact grace@nyci.ie

Application does not guarantee participation in this initiative. Successful applicants will be contacted for the next stage of the process.

NYCI’s Local Champions have a collective contract that all participants will be given a copy of and expected to adhere to throughout this project. This is to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.