In every corner of the land the Foróige Citizenship Programme is helping to change the lives of young people and communities - and it’s time to celebrate!
Regional Showcases of Foróige Citizenship projects are taking place throughout May and we’ve had some recent dispatches from the Foróige team helping shine a light on these fun and vibrant events.
Find out more about the Foróige Citizenship Programme and how to get involved.
Foróige Donegal
By Susan McLoughlin
Foróige Donegal held their Citizenship Showcase event recently in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny.
There were 18 fabulous projects showcasing Foróige Citizenship Programme projects they have been working on for the past number of months, demonstrating how they have made a difference to the lives of those living in their own community.
Almost 200 attended to celebrate the young people's achievements. Joining us on the night were our dedicated volunteers, proud parents, invited guests and Foróige staff from across the Donegal.
What made it even more special was to see the diversity of young people both from the county and those who have made Donegal their home who are actively making a difference in their community.
Foróige Westmeath, Offaly, Longford and Roscommon
By Gary Nugent
Foróige Projects and clubs from Westmeath, Offaly, Longford and Roscommon held their Citizenship Showcase event last weekend in the Gateway Youth Project, St Mary's Hall, Athlone
There were 16 fabulous projects showcasing the Foróige Citizenship Programme projects that young people have been working on for the past number of months, demonstrating how they have made a difference to the lives of those living in their communities. The projects included eco-friendly weed killers, biodiversity awareness, women in sports, hampers for families experiencing difficulties and intergenerational meetups.
Almost 150 young people attended the event to celebrate the young people's achievements. Joining us on the night were dedicated volunteers, local funders, invited guests and Foróige staff from across the Midlands Region.
Foróige Mayo
By Andy Neary
The Mayo Foróige Citizenship event was held this week in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar showcasing wonderful projects across the county funded through Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board and Tusla to an audience of over 150 people. The young people from Foroige clubs and projects demonstrated on the night the positive impact they are having in their local communities. The event was hosted fabulously by Charlotte Langan, a current member in Castlebar Foróige.
There was presentations from Foroige's Lego League and Digital programmes, Brickens Foróige club, Erasmus educational trip, the Foroige Big Brother Big Sisters programme, Islandeady Foróige club - highlighting their 50 year anniversary as a club, Leadership For Life Special Interest Club in Claremorris, Integration projects and Castlebar Transition Years Foroige club. It was a fantastic evening attended by various funders and supporters of Foróige. TD's Alan Dillon and Dara Calleary both spoke on the night of the great work Foroige carries out in local communities.
Seán Campbell, CEO of Foroige thanked the speakers, volunteers and young people for their continued passion and dedication that they bring to their role.
We were delighted to have in attendance Alisha Houlihan, a former member of Kiltimagh Foroige club as our guest speaker on the night. Alisha gave the audience a great insight on how Foroige impacted her personal development and dedicates where she is today in her career because of the confidence and skills she gained joining her local Foróige club.
Foróige South-East
By Kate Carroll
Foróige South-East Region hosted their Citizenship Showcase this past weekend in Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise.
Young people representing Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford and Wicklow showcased their community action projects at the event, focused on improving the participants’ local communities in areas such as equality, inclusion, community events, culture, creativity and fundraising.
At the opening ceremony, Bernie Meally, Foróige South East Regional Manager delivered a warm welcome and acknowledged the great commitment and dedication shown by all of the groups.
After the opening ceremony, each group had the opportunity to show off their project to the other young people and talk in-depth about their learning to Foróige staff and volunteers. There was huge diversity amongst the projects - flower boxes for the elderly, handmade hats for the homeless, colour run fundraiser for AsIAm, community events and much more.
Four special merit awards were presented to: Early Intervention at The WAY Project, SAFE Laois - Nails Group, Templeshannon Foróige Club and The WAY Project. Best Display was awarded to Ratheniska Foróige Club and SAFE Longford.
