Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today welcomed the launch of the European Year of Youth Micro Grants scheme which is being run by Léargas, Ireland’s National Coordinator for the Year.
The scheme will be open to youth organisations, local youth, and community groups, and organised groups of young people in other settings such as schools to apply for funding to carry out activities that support, celebrate, engage and listen to young people and that promote youth opportunities at a local, national and European level, in line with the objectives of the European Year of Youth.
A total of €60,000 is available under the scheme, to be allocated in grants of between €500 and €5000, with a series of deadlines over the course of the year.
The European Year of Youth Micro Grants Scheme was opened for applications today at the Connect with Europe event, which was hosted by Léargas in the Alex Hotel, Dublin. The purpose of the event was to showcase how young people can access opportunities in Europe through information and support initiatives like Eurodesk and Youth Wiki. As part of this event, both Léargas and Minister O’Gorman officially welcomed the European Year of Youth 2022 in Ireland.
Commenting on the Scheme Minister O’Gorman said, “I am delighted to be able to support the European Year of Youth Micro Grants Scheme. This is a great opportunity for young people and those who work with them to get involved directly with the European Year of Youth and have their creative ideas brought to reality. I never fail to be impressed by the innovative and dynamic ideas brought forward by our young people so I look forward to hearing about the outcomes Scheme.”
Léargas, as Ireland’s National Co-ordinator for the Year, is leading on the Work Plan for the implementation of the Year in Ireland, in close partnership with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth and with input from key stakeholders as part of a National Steering Group.
Léargas currently intends to host two significant national events, in May and September, highlighting and celebrating European, national, and local youth opportunities. In addition, it is working with local youth organisations to host a series of smaller events.