Developing the next generation of leaders in climate and sustainability.

Policy drives national action on sustainability. Therefore it’s crucial that our participants not only know what policy is currently in place but also are empowered to use their voice and participate in the development of new policy. In our first year the group met with Daragh Cogley, EU Youth Bioeconomy Ambassador and discussed the upcoming EU Youth Bioeconomy Vision document. The thoughts we shared were later submitted as feedback and incorporated into the final document, which was then presented to policymakers at the EU Bioeconomy Changemakers Festival.

Action is a key and transformative element of the programme, with ambassadors stepping forward to spearhead change within their communities. Using the knowledge and training gained in the programme, they organise local dialogue events and STEAM activities. Previous events have included talks in a local art gallery, tree-planting with primary students, climate justice workshops, art competitions and experiential “touch tank” ocean conservation sessions. The 2024 programme culminated in an outdoor community event that included music, games, art, and interactive activities. In 2025 we celebrated the end of the programme with a beach clean and water conservation demo for World Wildlife Day. These activities were not only platforms for discussion but also served as catalysts for community involvement in sustainability efforts, encouraging a more engaged and informed public to contribute to Ireland’s sustainability goals.

Generation Glas empowers young ambassadors with the skills to communicate complex sustainability issues in an accessible and engaging manner. Training provided by BiOrbic’s team members, alongside communication experts, equipped participants with the tools to engage diverse audience groups. Ambassadors learn to craft narratives that resonate, to facilitate open and inclusive dialogues, and to use creative approaches to spark curiosity and inspire action. Through school talks, community events, and press interviews, they have reached thousands, bridging the gap between scientific research, policy, and the public’s understanding of sustainability challenges.

Beyond instilling scientific knowledge and communication skills, we have prioritised the growth of individual participants, nurturing their confidence, creativity, and leadership capabilities. Throughout the programme, ambassadors have honed their interpersonal skills, learning to navigate complex conversations, lead with empathy, and cultivate inclusive environments. Designing and running events has fostered teamwork, adaptability, creativity, and confidence within group members. Field trips have included community-building activities that have bonded the group as a network of activists. This holistic approach has empowered young ambassadors to become not only advocates for sustainability but also resilient and adaptable leaders in their communities.

In between our residentials the group meets regularly online to touch base, build on previous learning and continue to develop projects. We offer a range of speakers from ecologists to activists to entrepreneurs. Meeting regularly online allows us to keep the momentum of the programme going, despite participants being based in different regions. And it also allows our them to benefit from hearing from some international speakers!

“[I’m] learning about climate justice and how important it is [and] that there are many more people interested in the environment along with me.“

-Generation Glas Participant

Learning in the classrooms, online meetings and even out on field trips can only take you so far. The next step is to have real, hands-on experience. That’s why we empower our young people to explore first-hand what it’s like to be sustainability ambassadors through youth-led events. Generation Glas provides resources, funding and support and our creative students do the rest! Past events have included talks in an art gallery, a climate justice workshop and an organised tree planting!

“There is a lot more to climate activism than many people think.“

-Generation Glas Participant

Generation Glas is all about empowering youth and so it’s important to us to embed young voices in everything we do. Whether this is bring them on board in the design of the official Generation Glas branding and logo, leaving elements of the programme unplanned to leave room for students to make suggestions about what they want to learn or continually recording and acting on feedback, we want to make sure each cohort of participants feel this is just as much their programme as ours. In fact, the concept of Generation Glas came from a workshop between Foroige youth and BiOrbic back in November 2021 and young people fed into our proposal design. So really we are only sticking to our roots!

“[Generation Glas is] very well planned with enough flexibility for change, just like how we should be handling climate change!”

-Generation Glas Participant