European Union – United Nations Youth Delegates 2025 – 2026

European Union – United Nations Youth Delegates 2025 – 2026 is sponsored by European Union. Allows EU youth delegates to participate in UN dialogues, advocating for youth interests and rights.

Ireland’s Nomination for the European Union-United Nations Youth Delegate Programme 2026-2027 - National Youth Council of Ireland Ireland’s Nomination for the European Union-United Nations Youth Delegate Programme 2026-2027 Application Process & Rules The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is delighted to announce the call for applications for Ireland’s nomination to the EU-UN Youth Delegate Programme 202 6 -202 7 .

NYCI will nominate one individual to proceed to the selection process for the EU-UN Youth Delegate role. This role is jointly managed by the European Union Delegation to the United Nations in New York and DG INTPA of the European Commission in Brussels. NYCI has no say in the selection procedure beyond Ireland’s nomination.

The EU-UN Youth Delegate Programme The UN Youth Delegate (UNYD) programme aims at enhancing the participation of young people in the work of the United Nations. The participation of the EU in the UNYD programme allows the EU to be present in relevant youth dialogues at the UN, to advocate for the interests and rights of young people in Europe and to increase the representation and geographic coverage of the EU’s youth.

Two EU-UNYDs will be selected, following nominations from EU Member States, to participate in the programme for 2025-2026. Their mandate will include, inter alia: Participate on behalf of the EU Delegation to the UN in New York in relevant discussions, including on youth affairs and other matters as appropriate, in the UN General Assembly and its committees, and the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council.

Ensure close coordination and information sharing with EU Member States’ Youth Delegates, including through the organisation of regular coordination meetings with EU Member States’ Youth Delegates, with the support of the EU Delegation.

Provide input to EU Delegation staff when needed, to ensure that a youth perspective is reflected across the three pillars of the UN (Peace and Security, Sustainable Development, and Human Rights) and in all strands of work.

Liaise and coordinate with and report back to National Youth Councils and organisations at the EU and EU Member States’ level, as well as the EU Youth Sounding Board, to ensure that their voices are reflected and that they are aware of important discussions at the UN which touch on subjects of interest for European youth.

Provide guidance to the subsequent cohort of EU-UNYDs, including through the provision of a written handover and a virtual meeting with the selected candidates. The programme will begin in September 2026 and will run for a duration of 12 months. Delegates will be expected to engage for approximately 40 days per year .

Participation in this programme is on a voluntary basis. The selection process for the 2026-2027 EU-UNYDs will be managed jointly by the EU Delegation in New York and DG INTPA of the European Commission in Brussels.

NYCI has been invited to submit one candidate for Ireland, who should respond to the following criteria: Be resident in the Republic of Ireland and hold Irish citizenship, Be aged over 18 but under 30 at the time of national application, Be willing and able to devote up to approximately 40 days per year, to give energy to advocacy and actions for youth rights, Demonstrate an interest in international relations, political science, law, human rights, international development, public health, climate, or any other field related to UN activities, Be motivated and/or have experience in and knowledge of youth advocacy and organisations and movements, and have a vision for youth participation at EU and UN levels, Be available to travel to New York around three times during the year, as well as to Brussels, The EU and NYCI are committed to the principle of non-discrimination.

Applications from young EU citizens of various backgrounds are encouraged. Respect for gender equality, balance in regional representation and diversity, will be key criteria during the EU-UNYD selection process. Submitting an Application Please send the following to diandra@nyci.

ie by 5pm (Irish time) on Sunday 22 nd March 2026. Your application should strictly consist of the following (in PDF form): A 1-page single-sided CV, outlining your relevant experience for this role A 1-page single-sided Cover Letter, outlining your motivations for applying for this role Applications submitted after this time will not be considered. Please allow time for application review following this date.

All applicants will be contacted after the review period on the outcome of their application. Can I apply for both Ireland’s EU-UNYD nomination and Ireland’s UNYD selection? Yes.

However, note that the UNYD deadline is after the EU-UNYD deadline, and also that if you progress after each application and are successful for both roles, you will not be able to hold both positions concurrently due to overlapping commitments. Is the EU-UNYD role paid? No, this is a voluntary role.

I was unable to meet the deadline, can I get an extension to apply? Unfortunately not. We must adhere to wider deadlines set by the EU Delegation to the UN in New York.

How is NYCI involved in the EU-UNYD role? NYCI, along with National Youth Councils from across the EU, will nominate one candidate each for the EU -UNYD selection . NYCI has no say or involvement in the selection process , other than for our national nominee .

Th e EU-UNYD selection process is managed by the EU Delegation to the UN in New York and DG INTPA of the European Commission in Brussels. I have been involved with the voluntary and youth services sector for many years, first as a participant coming up through my local youth services, then as a volunteer and finally I took on a finance position over 25 years ago with Catholic Youth Care.

Over the last 25 years I have seen much change and gained much experience within the sector. I am a qualified member of Certified Public Accountants of Ireland. I am the Head of Finance of Youth Work Ireland National Office.

Youth Work Ireland is part of a Federation with 20 Member Youth Services, that I have the pleasure of working alongside. Being part of a Federation, I also engage in looking at nationwide issues around financial, compliance and governance that may arise alongside my National Office & Federation colleagues.

Given my current role, along with my years of financial experience within the Youth Sector, I believe I have the necessary skills to bring to the role of Treasurer of NYCI. Youth work has played a significant role in my life, and its importance cannot be overstated. I consider myself lucky to be part of such a sector.

Michael Power is CEO of Involve Youth and Community Service, having worked within the organisation since 2008 where he held a senior role in the organisations national publication, Travellers’ Voice Magazine.

In Michael’s time as Manager of the Travellers’ Voice CSP, he has brought to fruition various campaigns which highlighted Travellers in education and various employment settings in order to dispel the often negative stereotypes associated with the community. His most recent education campaign, “Degrees Ahead”, highlighted Travellers in third level education and the various paths to continued and adult education.

He has also ensured the publication has become a platform for lesser heard voices within the community, highlighting individual’s achieving above and beyond the expectations imposed on them. Michael is a member of the Traveller community, and brings first-hand experience of the benefits of youth work in influencing future development.

Throughout his career with Involve, Michael has developed extensive experience in the youth sector which brings together his love of working with young people and his passion for the rights of his community and marginalised people.

The open letter calling on Government to support youth work, that will be sent to the leading local papers in each county in Ireland We are constituents from [Constituency] who are calling on you to support young people in Budget 2024 by investing €9. 4 million in young people and youth work. It is a hard time for young people.

COVID-19 impacted their mental health and social connections, and now, the cost-of-living crisis means many are struggling financially. Youth work organisations say that deprivation among young people they work with is on the rise, and the need for youth services is growing dramatically as young people and their communities feel the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Youth workers are often a lifeline for young people, particularly for those who have the least. The wide range of activities provided by youth organisations support young people in their personal and social development, positive mental health, physical wellbeing, job skills and much more. The rising cost of living is also placing a huge strain on youth work organisations themselves.

A recent survey by the National Youth Council of Ireland revealed that nearly 3 in 5 organisations struggle to deliver vital youth work services because of inflation. The Government must provide the necessary resources for these organisations to meet the growing needs of young people in [Constituency], and to provide an Ireland where young people can live, grow, and flourish.

That is why we are supporting the National Youth Council of Ireland in calling on the Government to invest an additional €9. 4m in youth work services in Budget 2024, to provide more supports and activities for young people and meet the needs of our growing youth population.

The NYCI and its members across the country believe this increase is needed to help ensure the sustainability of the sector, and deal with current challenges facing many services. We request that you act on this call and use whatever avenues available to you to ensure that we see a Budget 2024 that invests in our young people.

My experience comes from my many years within the Irish Second-Level Students Union, chiefly as president during 2020-21 where I represented student’s throughout the covid-19 pandemic, working with the Department of Education and education stakeholders as part of the State exams Advisory group to do what was best for our young people through an extremely challenging time. My other experience across other organisations such at Spuntout.

ie national action panel or partnering with other organisations here such as ICTU on young workers rights gives me the necessary experience to bring a new perspective to the governance of the NYCI.

I have been a representative of young people for the last 5 years at a local, regional national and international level – with my particular focus on youth representing and how that can be best achieved – I hope you can put your confidence in me to work as a member of the NYCI board to deliver this for you and continue the outstanding work of the NYCI.

Since taking over the National Development of the organisation in 2014, Garry has worked with the team at YIFM to grow the capacity of YIFM programmes to work with double the number of young people over the past five years, delivering five times the number of contact hours with participants. Young Irish Film Makers now work with over 1500 young people annually across Ireland through the youth arts practice of film and animation.

Demand is continuing to grow as YIFM film making and animation workshops are recognised for their ability to deliver high quality outcomes for young people from all backgrounds. Garry is heavily involved in the programme design and delivery of informal education workshops delivering quality personal, social and creative outcomes for young people across Ireland.

With a focus on film and animation workshops for secondary schools, youth development agencies and youth workers nationwide. Before he became involved in youth development and youth arts work, Garry was a professional filmmaker, musician and enjoyed treading the boards as an actor. He believes this grounding in the creative industries led him to where he works now, with young people through youth film programmes.

He has twenty five years of experience in film production, broadcast radio and informal education & training. His CV ranges from corporate communications and music video production to training and informal education programmes in film, animation and digital media production. Rose Marie Maughan Is the National Traveller Youth Programme Coordinator with the Irish Traveller Movement.

She has been working in the Irish Traveller Movement since 2004 on a local, regional, national and international level in different capacities such as Board member, National Accommodation Officer, Membership Officer, Education Officer, Project coordinator.

She has both a lived experience of being a young Traveller in Ireland and issues facing young Traveller youth today alongside an in-depth analysis of youth work and issues facing the sector. She strongly believes in youth’s right to self-determination and meaningful participiation in finding solutions to issues affecting their lives.

In her current role as National Traveller Programme Coordinator, she is overseeing the implementation of the Irish Traveller Movement’s Traveller Youth 5yr strategy working towards giving Traveller Youth a voice in all sectors of society. Niamh Quinn is a Manager with Foróige. Niamh has extensive direct youth work and management experience within the youth work and non formal education sector.

With Forόige since 2004, Niamh’s previous roles include Outreach Youth Officer working with young people aged 14 – 18 years most at risk; Senior Youth Officer and Acting Area Manager. Niamh’s current role is supporting the development, roll out and delivery of CPD training and processes for the national School Completion Programme. Niamh is the current Vice President of NYCI.

Niamh is also the current Chair of the NYCI HR & Governance Sub Committee. Niamh is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin. Originally from Canada, David Backhouse has been an active youth worker in Ireland since 2008.

Chiefly through the YMCA, his involvement in many youth and community initiatives has brought him into partnership with Léargas, Cork City and County Councils, Irish Aid, CDYS, Youth Information, SpunOut, Comhairle ná nÓg, Foróige, Hub ná nÓg, Youth Work Ireland, CYPSC and many other local arts and community associations.

In 2016 David took up the role of Cork Regional Director for YMCA and in November 2019, began his current role as Deputy National Secretary, responsible for YMCA Ireland operations in the Republic of Ireland as well as providing support to all YMCA agencies north and south.

He is passionate about Youth Participation, Creative Methodologies and the provision of high quality, well supported professional youth services to those in Ireland most in need. Mick Ferron is currently the Regional Youth Services Manager with Sphere 17 Regional Youth Service. BA Social Science from UCD Higher Diploma in Youth and Community work from NUI Maynooth.

Sphere 17 is a community-based regional youth service covering Dublin 17 and the Kilbarrack area of North Dublin. The service operates from four different youth centres in the catchment area providing a range of different programmes, activities and support for young people 10-24 years. Sphere 17 believes all young people can achieve great things.

Their mission is to support young people to be the best that they can be, and they do this in different ways for different young people, as they need it, through the varied services provided.

In addition to the UBU funded youth service activity, Sphere 17, in collaboration with local partners, also provides a youth counselling service – The Listen Project, manages the Woodale Youth Justice Project, and is the lead organisation behind Creative Places Darndale.

Prior to his 16 years in management with Sphere 17, Mick has worked in community-based youth service provision in Ballyfermot and in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. He has also worked in the homeless sector, and in a drugs education project in Cork. Claire Anderson has been working with Scouting Ireland since October 2020 in the role of Communications Officer.

She is an experienced journalist, marketing manager and communications expert. Claire graduated with an MA in Journalism and New Media in 2015. She is based in Cork and has worked with several high-profile businesses including the Irish Examiner.

Working in marketing communications from 2017, Claire has created and implemented advertising and communications strategy for company expansion into eight new markets. She has worked closely with colleagues to build effective communication practices and systems. She has managed all content production from production to publishing and most recently developed a new central website for Scouting Ireland.

Claire has over seven years of experience leading content production and successful marketing campaigns. She completed a Diploma in User Experience and User Interface Design this year. She also runs her own marketing business.

Claire has been involved in dance since she was a child and is a keen supporter of the arts. She has volunteered with Cork Feminista and Husky Rescue Ireland, however, she is not actively volunteering at present. Claire lives in the countryside with her partner, dog, cats and hens.

She enjoys sea swimming and hiking in her spare time as well as training for her first 10k race. Eve is an active leader in her locality currently working with girls between the ages of 5 and 7, and previously worked with Irish Girl Guides’ older branch for 10- to 14-year-olds. Eve has previously represented Irish Girl Guides at the Erasmus+; Get Active!

Human rights education among young people workshop. In addition, Eve sat on the Membership, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committee for Irish Girl Guides. Eve is a primary school teacher and focused her college dissertation on the impact of period poverty in schools.

Eve has been a NYCI Board member since 2021. I am currently a Senior Manager with Crosscare Youth Services with over 20 years’ experience having started my youth work career in CYC in January 2000, and was part of the merger with Crosscare in 2013. I line-manage our 6 Dublin West and East Wicklow youth projects, and also have responsibility for Youth Information and Outdoor Learning in Crosscare.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies from Maynooth University, and last year I completed a masters qualification, gaining a (MSc) Master of Science in Innovation & Strategy in the Maynooth Business School. I feel there is a need to be innovative and strategic in future plans for the sector, as we seek to be sustainable and receive full cost recovery for the delivery of quality youth services.

I am currently a member of the Board of Adamstown Youth and Community Centre. This is in an area with broad cultural diversity and we are trying to develop some youth provision in this under-resourced area. We were recently approved for a new part-time youth worker and a dedicated Youth Diversion Project for Adamstown, to increase the Lucan Boundary.

Greg has been a NYCI Board member for the last 3 years. Nicola has been involved in Girl Guiding for over 44 years and has been employed in the CGI National Office in Dublin since 2013. Nicola has also been a volunteer leader with CGI in Wexford for the last 19 years.

In her role as National Office Coordinator, Nicola works closely with the NYCI and members of other youth organisations, through the Specialist Organisations Network and represents CGI at numerous meetings. Nicola also attends meetings with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs representing the uniformed bodies of the Youth Work Electoral College.

Nicola has held voluntary positions within CGI of National Secretary and National Commissioner for Ranger Guides and was a member of the National Executive Board. Nicola continues to attend CGI Board meetings in her current role. Before moving to Ireland, Nicola worked for the UK Government and the Environment Agency in the nuclear industry regulation division and was also a youth member and then volunteer with the Guide Association UK.

I have over 30 years experience in the voluntary Youth Work and Youth Sector in Ireland. I am currently the Volunteer Development Manager with Forόige. In this role I am responsible for key tasks such as managing, developing and supporting the involvement of thousands of Forόige volunteers in all aspects of the organisation.

I also lead on the design, dissemination and implementation of best practice standards in volunteer recruitment, management and retention policies and procedures. I am a member of Foróige’s child safeguarding and protection internal working group.

I also was a member of the Ministerial advisory group for development of the National Volunteering Strategy, launched in late 2020, and I am currently on the communications working group for the role out of the strategy. I believe that youth work’s essential role in young people’s lives has been made all the more obvious as a result of the pandemic.

The restrictions caused by the need to protect vulnerable people in particular from COVID 19, were imposed on young people without them having any say in the matter. They became takes of others rules and priorities, without input or choice. This, while necessary at the time, is the exact opposite of what we want for young people.

We want them to be heard, to be helped to develop their own views and values (not just absorb ours). We want them to be involved in decisions that impact on them and to feel they have an influence, with which comes connection to society and hope for the future. The National Youth Council of Ireland plays a huge role in representing the shared interests of the organisations who are its members.

These organisations, large and small, bring a range of youth work approaches arising from various traditions and a focus on particular youth needs. The diversity of organisations provides choice and opportunity for young people to pursue their own interests. This diversity presents a challenge too, in identifying and agreeing their shared interests on which NYCI can represent, advocate and influence.

This calls for a president who will listen support, facilitate. It calls for an NYCI which is effective, well governed and compliant with all relevant governance and financial, management requirements. I believe I have the necessary skills for this role from my role in Foróige and my previous experience on the board of NYCI, including a term as its vice president.

I am aware of the need to represent negotiate, assert firmly but respectfully, to act together in seeking to influence government departments and politicians. I understand the need for a strong working relationship between president and CEO. Access your One World Week Resource This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Organisation (if relevant) Why do you need my name and email address? Our funding is conditional on monitoring usage of our resources by youth workers, educators and activists such as yourself. If you do share your details, we will forward a short feedback survey to you within six weeks.

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