The aims of Ireland’s United Nations Youth Delegate Programme are:

• To provide a platform for young people living in Ireland to be represented at international climate negotiations within Ireland’s delegation.  

• To ensure Ireland’s delegation benefits from perspectives and knowledge from youth in its work.

• To promote climate, development, and youth policies among young people living in Ireland, creating awareness of Ireland’s climate diplomacy activities sharing information via social media. 

• To support climate, global citizenship activities, and development initiatives in Ireland. 

• To build relationships and networks with others including other youth delegates and civil society from across the world to support the broadening and deepening of insights and understanding of climate issues. 
• To ensure the official delegation is informed on broader youth priorities regarding climate, facilitated through youth consultations conducted by the Climate Youth Delegate.

Note: The Climate Youth Delegates participate in the Programme on a voluntary basis. Travel and accommodation expenses outside of Ireland, which are part of the Climate Youth Delegate Programme, are paid by NYCI in advance. A daily stipend is also provided to each delegate, to cover food expenses while abroad.

Call for Applications

Applicants should be:

• Aged between 18-25 years (on 25th May 2026).
• Be resident on the island of Ireland at the time of application and for the duration of the Programme (September 2026- March 2028).
• Be available for in-person and online training once selected (May – August 2026). 
• Be available for an in-person meeting of European Climate Youth Delegates from the 17th-19th of July (location tbc but will be in or near Dublin).
• Committed to giving significant time to the Programme, on a voluntary basis. 
• Curious about the world, with a good understanding of climate change and public diplomacy, and an interest in public engagement, development education, global citizenship education, and youth-related issues. 
• Interested in policy making and writing, capable of digesting a lot of information and quickly turning around policy papers/speeches. 
• A self-starter, experienced in organising events and committed to organising consultations with young people and others in Ireland (and possibly other locations). 
• A team player and open to proactively collaborating with others. 
• Experience in and commitment to using social media and online communications tools in order to share their experiences with others, through written reports and social media, including blogs, videos, webinars, and social media posts. 
• Experienced public speaker. 
• Passionate about solving today’s most pressing climate problems and engaging other young people in the process. 
• Have a valid and in-date passport. 
• Be willing to abide by an international country’s requirements for entry (e.g. vaccinations, visas, etc). 

Skills and Qualifications:

Remember, no one has every skill or experience needed for this role. You will have lots of opportunity to learn also.

Someone who has experience in several of these areas should apply:

• Good knowledge and understanding of climate issues 
• Good knowledge on/previous work on the Sustainable Development Goals
• Knowledge of or previous experience working with the EU or within an EU Presidecy context (youth representative, rapporteur, etc.)
• Ability to and experience of working collaboratively with others (e.g. young people, youth organisations, NGOs, government Departments, National Youth Council of Ireland, and others). 
• Experience in event organisation, including leading workshops. 
• Experience in public speaking. 
• Be culturally competent. 
• Have experience in and commitment to using social media and online communications tools to share their experiences with others, through written reports and social media, including blogs, videos, webinars, articles, social media posts, etc. 
• Have experience in policy making and advocacy work on climate. 
• Have previous experience at similar events, travelling for meetings/conferences/workshops.

What you must commit to if selected:

• Attend intergovernmental conferences in person: COP31 in Türkiye (November 9th-20th 2026), Subsidary Body, SB65 in Germany (June 2027), and potentially more international events as they arise. Note that some countries may require proof of COVID vaccination and/or recovery and/or visas for non-citizens. To be accepted to this role you must be in a position to comply with the requirements of the countries listed above.
• Regular reporting to/support meetings with the National Youth Council of Ireland and the Department of Climate, Energy & Environment (DCEE) on activities, actions, and consultations, including a mandatory End-Of-Term report on completion of the mandate by 1st May 2028. 
• Undergo the Garda Vetting process. This is required for hosting workshops/consultations with other young people.
• Consultations, visits, and participation in events with young people, youth organisations, educational institutions, and NGOs in Ireland, to increase awareness on climate issues. 
• Participate in training at national, regional, and international levels. 
• Be willing to engage with the Irish delegation managing the Irish Presidency to the EU (July – December 2026).
• Be able to participate in an online climate negotiator training course between July – November 2026 (sessions likely to be held for two hours roughly every fortnight with some additional online learning required between sessions). 
• Consistent PR and social media, as negotiated with DCEE and the National Youth Council of Ireland, throughout your term of office, through the publication of blogs, videos, photos, and articles when travelling in Climate Youth Delegate capacity, at local, national, and global level. 
• Work with Youth Delegates from other countries on policy issues, planning meetings, organising events, social media campaigns, and networking, particularly in the EU context as Ireland maintains the EU Presidency seat until December 2026.
• Organise events in Ireland and at COP between EU Climate Youth Delegates, the Irish delegation, and other youth organisations (tbc).
• Work with the Irish delegation on policy issues, planning meetings, networking, and team support, as appropriate. 
• To conduct part of the term in collaboration with the current Climate Youth Delegates; part of the term as the single Climate Youth Delegate; and to assist with the hand-over process of the subsequent Climate Youth Delegate for the 2027-2029 term. 
• Be available for an in-person meeting of European Climate Youth Delegates from the 17th-19th of July (location tbc but will be in or near Dublin).

Submitting an Application

All information must be submitted via the online form below, by 12pm (noon) on the 25th of May 2026. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered. Note that you must be a resident on the island of Ireland at the time of application to be eligible to apply. For any questions, please email: eimear@nyci.ie

Please note: Due to the volume of applications, please allow at least two weeks before expecting a response to your application. All applicants will be contacted in due course regarding the outcome of their application. If your application is successful at getting to the interview stage, interviews will take place in Dublin (venue TBC) on Thursday, 11th June 2026. Please keep this date available if applying. NYCI or DCEE cannot cover the expenses of anyone attending interviews.

Please also note: No additional attachments will be accepted or considered as part of the assessment process. We kindly ask that you submit only the information requested. 

Note on AI Usage: You are permitted to use AI to assist with your application; however, you are required to declare its use. This allows us to understand how AI is being utilised and to maintain an equitable review process. Failure to disclose the use of AI tools may result in disqualification or further investigation into your application. The use of AI tools in completing applications is monitored to ensure transparency, fairness, and adherence to our policies. In certain circumstances we appreciate that using AI can be a support to some applicants in terms of considering how to articulate when writing, for accessibility purposes, or thinking about how best to convey your experience. In summary, please remember we are interested in you and not an artificial version of you.