Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) along with Galway and Roscommon Education and Training board (ETB) and Department of Education and Youth , hosted a conference that examined and explored the importance of Information and Constructive Dialogue when working with young people.
Information & Constructive Dialogue, an associated event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union took place in Galway on Monday, 2nd November.
The event was officially opened by Hildegarde Naughton T.D Minister for Education and Youth followed by a range of presentations and panel discussions from practitioners, experts, policy makers and academics with interactive workshops to follow.
Bringing together young people, youth workers, policymakers, researchers and practitioners, the event explored EU Youth Goal 4: Information & Constructive Dialogue and the important role youth work plays in supporting young people to access reliable information, think critically, engage with different perspectives and participate meaningfully in democratic life.
From exploring EU Youth Goal 4, to practical workshops, sharing what works and considering our next steps, the EU Associated event highlighted the important contribution youth work can make to informed, inclusive and democratic participation.
The opportunity now is to take the conversations, connections and learning back into our organisations, communities and everyday practice.
Other youth news
Capital Funding for Youth Work
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has announced the allocation of €2.236 million under the UBU Youth Service Capital Funding Scheme 2026 to support major infrastructure projects and capital purchases in UBU-funded youth services across Ireland.
The funding will be distributed through ETBs and will support projects ranging from accessibility improvements and building refurbishments to kitchen upgrades, outdoor facilities and the purchase of transport vehicles.
The announcement follows recent capital funding investments by the department, including almost €1.6 million for minor works and equipment purchases under the UBU Capital Scheme and over €500,000 through the Youth Capital Funding Scheme for national youth organisations.
Together, these investments represent more than €4 million in capital funding for youth services in 2026.
Oíche na hÓige / Youth Night
On Oíche na hÓige youth clubs and services across Ireland will open their doors to the community, to celebrate members of youth clubs and groups, and their youth workers and volunteers, and to build awareness of youth work in your community.
The event aims to showcase the value that youth work brings to young people and the wider community.
