Ireland has earned an international reputation for leadership in Global Citizenship Education (GCE). This success has been built over decades through the dedication and hard work of the sector, supported by the leadership of Irish Aid, sustained Government investment and strong partnerships between education and civil society stakeholders. It is an achievement of which Ireland can be proud. 

Budget 2027 comes at a time of significant global uncertainty and intensifying global and local challenges. These include rising conflict, disregard for international law, deepening humanitarian crises, climate disruption, democratic backsliding, misinformation and rising social division. In this context, Ireland's commitment to global justice, solidarity, international development and GCE matters as much as ever. 

The scale of these challenges was emphasised by Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Neale Richmond during his address at the launch of the 2025 GENE Peer Review of Global Education in Ireland on 30 June 2026. The Minister further stated that “it is precisely because of these challenges that GCE is so important", while reaffirming the Government’s continued commitment to global solidarity, international development and GCE.

Against this backdrop, IDEA, the Irish Development Education Association, has published its Pre-Budget Submission for Budget 2027, calling on the Government to build on Ireland's internationally recognised leadership and enable the GCE sector to respond effectively to the scale of these challenges by increasing investment in Global Citizenship Education (GCE) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). 

The submission follows IDEA's recent engagement with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Youth on the critical importance of GCE and ESD at this time and comes shortly after the publication of the GENE Peer Review of Global Education in Ireland, which described Ireland's approach as "exemplary from a European comparative perspective" and recognised it as a source of inspiration and policy learning for other countries. 

Representing more than 100 organisations, networks, unions and individuals - including many of Ireland's leading international development, humanitarian, education and civil society organisations - IDEA sees the next Budget as a vital opportunity to protect and expand on this progress rather than lose hard won-gains. 

IDEA's Budget 2027 priorities 

The submission calls for: 

• Increased investment in Global Citizenship Education through a stronger cross-government approach; 
• Increased funding for GCE and ESD under the ESD to 2030 Strategy; 
• Dedicated funding for GCE and ESD across key national strategies, including the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan, the Climate Action Plan and the National Action Plan Against Racism; 
• Continued progress towards Ireland's commitment to spend 0.7% of GNI on Official Development Assistance; and 
• Support for Coalition 2030’s budget recommendations to reach the furthest behind first. 
   

These recommendations complement wider calls across Irish civil society, including Dóchas' Ireland as a Model Power initiative, which sets out a vision for Ireland to continue leading internationally through global solidarity, human rights and effective multilateral cooperation. 

Global Citizenship Education is an important part of that vision. It helps people understand the root causes and systemic drivers of global issues and their connections to local issues. It strengthens democratic participation, encourages informed public debate, and supports action towards a more just, peaceful and sustainable future for everyone. 

Ireland has shown what can be achieved through sustained investment and partnership. The challenge now is to protect and build on those strong foundations. Budget 2027 provides a vital opportunity to reinforce Ireland's leadership by increasing investment in Global Citizenship Education, supporting international development and ensuring the values of global justice and solidarity continue to shape Ireland's response to the challenges of the years ahead. 

Read IDEA's Pre-Budget Submission for Budget 2027