NYCI advocates on issues which impact on young people, on our member organisations and on the youth work sector.
We also use the collective experience of our member organisations to advocate on and seek to influence policy which impacts on the lives of young people.
Our policy and advocacy priorities are guided by our 2018-2022 Strategic Plan.
OUR PRIORITIES AND POLICIES
On an annual basis our priorities are determined by the Board of NYCI. Our current three priority policy areas are youth work, social inclusion and active citizenship.
Budget 2020 campaign
In Budget 2020 our members are calling for increased investment of€16.6m in youth work, including €3m in the Youth Service Grant Scheme. These are modest demands in light of years of underinvestment.
Youth Work Funding
Youth work is above all an educational and developmental process, based on young people’s active and voluntary participation and commitment. It is often defined as ‘non-formal education’.
Youth Employment
We have advocated for policies to support young people into quality work and measures to address youth unemployment for many years. The reduction in youth unemployment from an all-time high of 31.6% in February 2012 to 12% in Quarter 4, 2018 is very welcome.
Social Protection for Young Jobseekers
NYCI calls on Government to restore young people under 26 years of age on the lower rate of Jobseekers’ Allowance to be restored to the full adult rate of €198 per week (€203 from March 2019).
Youth Homelessness
NYCI as part of the Irish Coalition to End Youth Homelessness calls on Government to develop and implement measures to tackle youth homelessness. The number of young adults becoming homeless in Ireland has more than doubled in the last four years.
Active Citizenship
NYCI has promoted the active citizenship and democratic participation of young people for many years. We have advocated for a Vote at 16 since 2009, have engaged a number of campaigns and actions to support youth voter registration and turnout and called for Government to change the electoral system.
Legislative Process in Ireland
Apart from the European Union, the Oireachtas is the only institution in Ireland with power to make laws for the state. Most legislation is developed in the form of a Government Bill apart from Private Members Bills (which are presented by individual Oireachtas members or parties).
Advocacy & Research Publications
We publish research reports, policy papers and submissions on issues affecting young people and the youth work sector.
NEWS
Youth Council welcomes increased €5m investment in youth services
Budget ‘recognises impact of Covid-19 on young people and role of youth work’ The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) – which represents groups working with […]
Over 3,000 sign petition calling on the Government to properly fund youth work in Budget 2022
3,085 of you used your voices to call on the Government to properly fund youth work in Budget 2022
NYCI research highlights continued impact of Covid-19 on youth work services and young people’s engagement
Sixty-nine per cent of youth work sector organisations saw a decrease in the number of young people engaging with their services, with 80,000 less young people […]
