Sign the NYCI Budget25 ‘Invest in Youth’ Postcard to Your Local TDs

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The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has launched a campaign to convince our government to support young people in Budget 2025 by investing €15 million in youth work. You can help by signing the Budget25 ‘Invest in Youth’ postcard to your local TDs.

Learn more and sign the postcard here.

Why is this needed?

We are lucky to have a growing youth population. By 2025 there will be over 1 million under-25s in Ireland, but they need meaningful support. Young people have been hit hard over the past year by challenges including:

  • Economic impacts: The ongoing housing crisis and soaring living costs are acutely affecting young people. Traditional milestones like home ownership are out of reach for many.
  • Lack of services: Young people are struggling with poverty, mental health, educational engagement, and a lack of safe spaces and support services.
  • Division in communities: youth work is a critical force for promoting connection and a sense of community, often in challenging circumstances.

What can be done?

Youth work services can help young people during these difficult times by providing:

  • Connection and support: Youth work organisations continue to support young people facing poverty, mental health issues, educational engagement difficulties, and lack of access to safe spaces and support services.
  • Support for those most at risk: Youth work provides a broad range of services including youth worker support, peer support, youth club activities, and counseling. It offers critical support and opportunities young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Integration and community building: Youth work helps young people integrate into new communities and build a sense of belonging.

The youth work sector is under pressure, struggling to support young people facing tough issues while dealing with higher demand and rising costs, without enough resources.

This must change. The NYCI are calling on the Government to invest an additional €15 million in youth work services in Budget 2025, to provide more support and activities for young people and meet the needs of a growing youth population facing economic struggles.

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