Press Release: Funding increase needed to support Global Citizenship in Ireland


Funding increase needed to support Global Citizenship in Ireland 


Global Citizenship crucial to achieving Ireland’s commitments to SDGs 

 

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is calling on the Government to increase Global Citizenship Education Funding to support Ireland’s commitments to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, starting with a commitment of €10 million in Budget 2023. 

 

Target 4.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to ensure that all learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to be able to promote sustainable and equitable development and fulfil all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. 

 

In its recent Development Assistance Committee Peer Review of Ireland, the OECD noted that “Ireland has received international recognition for its Development Education (Global Citizenship Education) strategies” but that “mobilising more funds for Development Education, would allow Ireland to reap the benefits of its strong approach to promoting global citizenship.”  

 

Frank Geary, Director of IDEA said: "The quality Global Citizenship Education provided in Ireland enables people to understand the world, and engage with issues such as climate justice, equality, and racism. IDEA members reach hundreds of thousands of people of all ages across the island of Ireland, supporting them in exploring these issues, and taking action for change. Global Citizenship Education is crucial to achieving Ireland’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and we are almost half-way through the timeline for the Goals. Significantly increasing investment in Global Citizenship Education at this point will not only enable the fulfilment of Ireland’s commitments to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, but the delivery of key parts of the Programme for Government.“ 

 

IDEA’s Pre-Budget submission has outlined six recommendations for the Government in the run up to Budget 2023: 

·     

  • Support delivery of quality lifelong quality Global Citizenship Education (GCE) programmes that reaches all of society #SDG 4.7 
  • In line with the European Benchmark, increase Global Citizenship Education Funding to 3% of Official Development Assistance Budget by 2025, starting with a commitment of €10 million in Budget 2023 
  • Include dedicated Global Citizenship Education funding streams in relevant national strategies such as the Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development, the National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals, the Climate Action Plan, and the National Plan Against Racism
  • Work towards Official Development Assistance target of 0.7% GNI as called for by Dóchas 
  • Ensure strategic cross-government prioritisation and policy coherence for Global Citizenship Education
  • Ensure that Global Citizenship Education grantees are adequately resourced, so that those working in this sector have decent and secure work in line with SDG 8. 




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IDEA’s Lab 2025

May 2, 2025
Dates: Thursday 10 July,10.00am-6.00pm and Friday 11 July, 10.00am-3.00pm Location: An Tairseach, Wicklow IDEA is thrilled to open applications for our second iteration of the IDEA's Lab. In this first of its kind residential Lab, we will create space where members can bring their ideas for projects and try out new planning and design methods. Participants will have the opportunity to work on an idea from scratch to (almost) finish with the support of expert trainers and learn through group exchange in a welcoming and inspiring setting. Participants will come out of the training with: An early project design proofed, tested and built through group feedback, iteration, trialling and support. New approaches in designing innovative projects they can apply to their workplace Headspace and time to work on the design of an innovative project A chance to actively learn through group exchange and strengthen the sense of an innovative community of practice in Ireland How? Please email anya@ideaonline.ie to request an application form. Requesting an application form does not commit you to applying. The deadline for returning application form (including organisational sign off letter) is Friday 23 May, midnight . You will find further details in the application form. Participants must register as a team of 2min.- 4 max. Participants without a team member will be asked to pair up with other individual participants or find a partner outside their organisation. Cost : This training is funded by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and offered at a reduced rate. This training is only available to IDEA members. Non-IDEA members can participant as part of an IDEA member team. Fees for members of IDEA is €50  Irish Aid is the Government’s overseas development programme which supports partners working in some of the world’s poorest countries. Irish Aid also supports global citizenship education in Ireland to encourage learning and public engagement with global issues the ideas, opinions and comments expressed in this training are entirely the responsibility of its author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect DFA policy. Timeline: Applications open: 07 May Applications close: 23 May, midnight Preparatory session with trainer (30min, online): Mid June Lab arrival: Where possible we advise arrival on Wednesday 09 July in the evening. Accommodation and food will be provided from 09 July, 5.00pm - 11 July, 3.00pm Lab: 10 July,10.00am-6.00pm. 11 July, 10.00am-3.00pm Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at anya@ideaonline.ie if any of the above pose a barrier to your participation, or if you have any other questions.