NEWS Archives - HESL Ireland

Free Educational Resources for Youth Activities on Sustainable Travel & Social Impact

Are you a young adventurer eager to explore Europe responsibly? Or a youth worker seeking to empower communities through eco-friendly initiatives? We have created a series of hands-on educational resources on sustainable travel available for free! These resources will help you become a more eco-conscious tourist, support local communites and foster well-being. Eco-Tourism Booklet: Your Passport to Sustainable Adventures Toolkit on Youth Eco-Entrepreneurship: Set-up Eco-Conscious Businesses and Community Initiatives Young people drive 70% of social entrepreneurship startups—but lack resources to scale their ideas. Our “Toolkit on Youth Eco-Entrepreneurship” bridges this gap, as it is tailored to young people aspiring to establish their own eco-focused NGOs and youth workers supporting these initiatives. It offers a step-by-step guide to NGO setup, with help and links to navigate legal and administrative processes in Estonia, Ireland, Portugal, and Romania. It also covers essential skills like fundraising, community engagement, and event planning, alongside guidance on digital tools for management, marketing, and outreach. Complemented by workshop outlines on soft skills such as empathy, communication, and networking, this toolkit equips young entrepreneurs and youth workers with the knowledge and support to create impactful, sustainable organisations. 🛠️ Perfect for learning how to create start up or mentor young entrepreneurs Project Website: Connect, Learn, and Grow You can download or view all our educational resources on sustainable travel from the Eco-Tourism Project Website. The website is also a great place to find more information about our project. It is a succesfull youth project that you can implement locally or with international partners under the Erasmus+ Programme. Reach out to us for a collaboration or to learn any information to create an impactful youth project! The Project ‘Eco-Tourism for Social Entrepreneurship Health and Well-Being Among Youth‘ is an Erasmus+ KA210 youth project. It aimed to empower young people in rural and urban communities to engage with their green areas and take innovative action towards fighting climate change through the promotion of ecotourism. The project involved youth and youth organisations from Estonia, Ireland, Portugal and Romania. It also included local activities, webinars and 2 mobilities to Estonia and Romania, and in the creation of the educational resources on sustainable travel.

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Amplify Marginalised Voices: Educational Tools for Ethnic Minorities Youth Civic Inclusion

HESL

Are you working with young people from ethnic minorities? We have created a range of engaging creative tools to support youth workers and educators in fostering youth civic inclusion and more inclusive communities. From guidebooks to theatre-based workshops, discover how these materials can enhance civic and social engagement in young people from ethnic minorities, providing them a safe and creative space to express their voices in their communities. Guidebook on Youth Democratic Participation: Equip Youth to Vote, Advocate, and Lead Many young people—especially from ethnic minorities—feel disconnected from politics. The Guidebook on Youth’s Participation in EU Elections bridges this gap with practical tools and information. The Guidebook is divided into 7 chapters. They can be used by: Youth Worker Toolkit: Foster Inclusion with Theatre & Advocacy Marginalised youth often face systemic barriers to political and civic participation. Our Youth Worker Toolkit on Socio-Political Inclusion provides non-formal, theatre-based methods to foster empathy, leadership, and advocacy. Videos: Stories of Empathy & Empowerment During the ONSTAGE project, we have shot some original and inspiring performance videos with young people during our two mobilities in Greece and Germany. The performances were created by young people, and they blend art and activism to spark conversations about inclusion and democracy. Project Website: Hub for Resource Download and Youth Project Inspiration You can download or view all resources on the ON S.T.A.G.E Project Website. The website is also a great place to find more information about our ONSTAGE project, a great example of a successfull youth project that you can implement in your local area or with international partners under the Erasmus+ Programme. Feel free to reach out to us for a collaboration or simply to learn more about the sessions we run, the methods we used and any other information you need to create an impactful youth project! The Project ‘Social Theatre for the Active Generation in the EU’ (ON S.T.A.G.E) is a KA210 youth project designed to empower young people (aged 18-30) in Germany, Ireland, Greece and Portugal to engage with political issues through theatre. It aimed to promote youth civic inclusion among disadvantaged youth, especially for those from ethnic minority backgrounds. They developped critical citizenship skills and advocated for change by voting in the European elections, increasing their social participation. The projects included local activities and 2 youth mobilities in Greece and Germany. Partners created useful resources, including a project website, a Guidebook on participation in the EU elections for youth and Youth worker Toolkit on youths’ socio-political inclusion.

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Free Educational Resources on Democracy & Sustainability

HESL

Are you passionate about shaping a more democratic, sustainable, and youth-driven future? Or are you ready to inspire young people to become active citizens and drive sustainable change? We have created free practical educational materials on democracy and sustainability designed to equip both youth and youth workers with the knowledge and tools to engage in civc and sustainable activities. Youth Democracy in the EU Guidebook: Your Roadmap to Political Engagement How to Use It Sustainable Cities Guidebook: Tools for Green, Inclusive Communities Sustainability and democracy go hand in hand. This Guidebook bridges the two by promoting change through policy knoweldge and people’s engagement. Open Letters: Amplify Youth Voices for Climate Action Words have power. In June 2024, our young climate ambassadors penned Open Letters to the EU, demanding bold climate policies. These letters are now public, offering inspiration—and a blueprint—for your own advocacy. You can pair these letters with the letter-writing guide in our Sustainable Cities Guidebook to craft your own persuasive messages. How to Use It Project Website: Hub for Resource Download and Youth Project Inspiration You can download all resources on the Up-Root Eco-Democracy Project Website. Here, you’ll find: The website is a great place to find a great example of a successfull youth project that you can implement in your local area or with international partners under the Erasmus+ Programme. Feel free to reach out to us for a collaboration or simply to learn more about the sessions we run, the methods we used and any other information you need to create an impactful youth project! The Project Up-Root Eco-Democracy is a KA120 youth project aiming to empower youth by increasing awareness about the EU, democratic processes, and climate change. With the European Parliament elections in mind, the project aimed to enhance youth participation in democracy. The project instilled a sense of responsibility and activism among the youth, equipping them with the tools to shape the future and address the pressing issue of climate change. Up-Root has a Facebook page and Instagram page updated with all project activities. Young people in Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal and Türkiye took part in local activities, online webinars and two international mobilities to Copenhagen and Cappadocia.

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‘Youth Eco-Activism in the EU’ Project Approved!

HESL

We are proud to announce that the Erasmus+ project ‘Youth Eco-Activism in the EU’ has been approved! About The Project ‘Youth Eco-Activism in the EU’ aims to raise awareness of the climate crisis among young people and provide them with the tools to take initiative and be actively involved in addressing these issues at local, national, and European levels. The project’s goal is to guide young people in creating their own social enterprises focused on mitigating climate change and to encourage more young people to engage in climate action through youth-led activism. Project Activities The project includes 4 work packages focused on online eco-activism, creating channels for political engagement, the creation of climate-focused, youth-led NGOs and a platform to be used by youth organisations and stakeholders at a local to EU level. There are 2 TPMs, 1 virtual TPM and 2 LTTAs that will be carried out in order to support the development of the work packages and increase cross-border cooperation, with multiplier events held in each country to widen the project’s impact. Impact The project aims to enhance youth engagement in both learning and eco-activism, simultaneously expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities and offering support to youth workers in their provision. It will introduce eco-activism to youth organisations, involve young individuals in climate activism, and establish a central hub for climate actions. Tangible outcomes from YEAEU will encompass toolkits and guides for eco-activism and political participation, as well as a platform that empowers young people to establish their own youth-led NGOs. The Partners Project Duration ⏱ 24 months 📆 Start date: 01.09.2023 📆 End date: 31.08.2025 Programme Details Programme: Erasmus+ Project Reference: 2023-1-FR02-KA220-YOU-000159007 Key Action: KA220-YOU Cooperation Partnerships National Agency: FR02 – Agence Erasmus+ France Jeunesse & Sport (Agence du Service Civique)

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‘Eco-Tourism for Social Entrepreneurship Health and Well-Being Among Youth’ Project Approved!

HESL

We are proud to announce that the Erasmus+ project ‘Eco-Tourism for Social Entrepreneurship Health and Well-Being Among Youth’ has been approved! About The Project The project ‘Eco-Tourism for Social Entrepreneurship Health and Well-Being Among Youth’ aims to empower young people in rural and urban communities to engage with their green areas and take innovative action towards fighting climate change through the promotion of ecotourism. By providing accessible opportunities and skills, the project seeks to foster eco-friendly mindsets and promote social entrepreneurship while addressing social and environmental challenges. Project Activities The project will include a range of local and transnational activities as well as the development of resources that will aid youth to become active citizens in their communities and agents for change. These will include: Impact The project will enable youth to become agents of change and take an active role in promoting sustainable tourism and supporting rural communities while addressing social and environmental challenges. They will learn the benefits of ecotourism and the importance of revitalising rural areas for cultural heritage, environmental sustainability, health, well-being and social entrepreneurship. The resources will be utilised by youth, youth workers and stakeholders at a local, national and EU level. The Partners Project Duration ⏱ 18 months 📆 Start date: 01.10.2023 📆 End date: 31.03.2025 Programme Details Programme: Erasmus+ Project Reference: 2023-2-EE01-KA210-YOU-000168495 Key Action: KA210-YOU Small-Scale National Agency: EE01 – Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Estonian Agency

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‘The Voice of Youth’ Project Approved!

HESL

We are proud to announce that the Erasmus+ project ‘The Voice of Youth’ has been approved! About The Project ‘The Voice of Youth’ project aims at empowering young journalists with media competencies, confidence and skills to make their voice heard. As a result, local communities and older generations will be more aware of the topics that are important to youth, as well as of the problems young people face. Promoting youth journalism will make young people a crucial part of their community and increase their role in the decision making process. Aims and Objectives The project aims to create an online learning platform for young journalists. The 12 courses will improve the media literacy skills of young journalists, and promote the voice of young people in journalism. Project Activities The project consists of three mobility activities in Estonia, Ireland and Hungary. In the meeting in Ireland, young journalists from all partner countries will be able to pilot the materials and give feedback for adjustments. The other activities will include the creation of the online platform and courses, and the translation of materials to Estonian, English and Hungarian. The Partners Project Duration ⏱ 14 months 📆 Start date: 01.09.2023 📆 End date: 31.10.2024 Programme Details Programme: Erasmus+ Project Reference: 2023-1-EE01-KA210-YOU-000157315 Key Action: KA210-YOU Small-Scale National Agency: EE01 – Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Estonian Agency

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‘Social Theatre for the Active Generation in the EU’ Project Approved!

HESL

We are proud to announce that the Erasmus+ project ‘Social Theatre for the Active Generation in the EU’ has been approved! About The Project ‘Social Theatre for the Active Generation in the EU’ (ON S.T.A.G.E) is a project designed to empower young people to engage with political issues through theatre. It aims to promote civic engagement among disadvantaged youth from ethnic minority backgrounds and those facing economic, geographical and cultural obstacles. They will develop critical citizenship skills and be encouraged to advocate for change by voting in the European elections, increasing their social participation. Aims and Objectives ON S.T.A.G.E. aims to empower young people as political actors, create accessible materials for the 2024 EU elections and promote social inclusion of marginalised youth and ethnic minorities in the national and EU political process. The project also aims to promote democratic culture and awareness in the EU. Project Activities The project includes two theatre-based LTTAs in Greece (Athens) and Germany (Berlin), during which participants will develop and showcase their creativity by writing, performing and recording their productions. Additionally, there will be a range of local activities addressing socio-political issues affecting youth, as well as webinars and multiplier events. The Partners Project Duration ⏱ 18 months 📆 Start date: 01.10.2023 📆 End date: 31.03.2025 Programme Details Programme: Erasmus+ Project Reference: 2023-1-DE04-KA210-YOU-000158862 Key Action: KA210-YOU small scale National Agency: DE04 – JUGEND für Europa

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‘Up-Root Eco-Democracy’ Project Approved!

HESL

We are proud to announce that the Erasmus+ project ‘Up-Root Eco-Democracy’ has been approved! About The Project The ‘Up-Root Eco-Democracy’ project aims to increase youth’s confidence in the EU’s ability to tackle climate change and increase youth voter turnout in the 2024 EU elections and beyond. Together, project partners will promote sustainable city development and green practices on a local to global scale, while simultaneously increasing youth’s capacity to research and advocate for environmental issues, promoting young voices in global debate. Aims and Objectives Additionally, the project aims to promote sustainable city development, increase capacity to engage in the democratic process, and increase EU awareness. It hopes to increase youth’s capacity to engage in political debate on climate change and sustainable development, while promoting young people’s voices in regional, national and European politics. Project Activities The project includes two LTTAs in Denmark (Copenhagen) and Türkiye (Cappadocia), where youth will learn about democracy, the environment and sustainable city development. Additionally, the project includes youth-led webinars! The Partners Project Duration ⏱ 18 months 📆 Start date: 01.09.2023 📆 End date: 28.02.2025 Programme Details Programme: Erasmus+ Project Reference: 2023-1-SE02-KA210-YOU-000158042 Key Action: KA210-YOU Small-Scale National Agency: SE02 – Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (MUCF)

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‘Social Entrepreneurial Skills for Advancing Employability’ Project Approved!

HESL

We are proud to announce that the Erasmus+ project ‘Social Entrepreneurial Skills for Advancing Employability’ has been approved! About The Project Partner organisations, driven by the aspirations of young people to foster entrepreneurship projects and initiatives in their local areas and beyond, developed a project to enhance entrepreneurship skills in youth across Europe. This project was motivated by the desire to reduce unemployment issues, thus promoting better career opportunities and more productive job prospects for the youth of today, as well as for future generations. To gain further insight into these worrying issues, a survey was conducted among 600 young people from six countries – Ireland, Turkey, Georgia, Germany, Ukraine, and Moldova – with 100 participants from each country. The survey results unveiled that an alarming 68.6% of the respondents were unemployed due to incompatible work schedules, 56.7% had never been employed, and an overwhelming 72.4% were still jobless. These results emphasised the need to raise knowledge of entrepreneurship and stimulate young people to become employers rather than subordinates. Aims and Objectives The main objective of the project is to improve entrepreneurship skills, increase willingness to develop, organise, and manage a business venture with associated risks to make a profit among 18-30 year olds. Additionally, the project aims to: Desired Outcomes: Project Activities ‘Social Entrepreneurial Skills for Advancing Employability’ features a Youth Exchange, hosted by HESL in Ireland. During this 10-day activity, 36 participants will come together to take part in a range of sessions, workshops and presentations geared towards improving employment prospects and entrepreneurial capabilities of young people. The Partners The project partners are made up of 5 organisations, including: Project Duration ⏱ 12 months 📆 Start date: 5th January 2023 📆 End date: 4th January 2024 Programme Details Programme: Erasmus+ Project Reference: 2022-3-IE01-KA152-YOU-000098139 Key Action: KA152-YOU – Mobility of young people National Agency: IE01 – Léargas the Exchange Bureau Learn more about our Erasmus Plus projects, training courses and activities.

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