Generation Glas: Ireland's Network of Young Sustainability Champions
Year Awarded
2024
Amount
€299,758.12
- Organisation:University College Dublin (UCD)
Project Summary
Generation Glas in an 8-month sustainability ambassador course that empowers young people from diverse backgrounds across Ireland to become ambassadors for sustainability. The programme is led by BiOrbic, the SFI Research Centre for Bioeconomy in partnership with Fóróige, Ireland’s leading youth organisation & various other stakeholders. Generation Glas connects these young people with researchers, policymakers, & other experts, providing them with the education & training needed to become confident, creative communicators capable of engaging & representing their communities effectively.
The initiative equips ambassadors with the resources to organise local dialogue & STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics) events. These activities offer practical experience & valuable networking opportunities, setting the stage for their success as sustainability leaders beyond their involvement in Generation Glas. By fostering a new pipeline for fast-tracking diverse, talented individuals into influential careers, Generation Glas benefits Irish research, innovation, & policy. It also engages the wider public in sustainability conversations through creative community events, granting direct access to experts & facilitating meaningful discussions & debates.
Addressing Ireland’s pressing environmental issues—such as cutting carbon emissions, increasing biodiversity, & reducing waste—requires collective action & inclusive decision-making processes. Generation Glas leverages the passion & potential of Irish youth to galvanise their communities & families, connecting experts with the people they serve. This approach develops a cohesive STEAM ecosystem & ensures more equitable & practical solutions to our national challenges, securing a sustainable future for Ireland.