Transition Year Programme for Schools in Ireland

Education for Sustainability (ESD) is a rapid call to action, designed to achieve rapid environmental change at all levels of society. In Ireland, climate education is a necessity, in turning the tide on how we see and deal with climate change.

Forty percent of the world’s population are under the age of 24, therefore, it is imperative that young people are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to deal with the current environmental crisis that we are facing. This ESD programme can bring change and engagement to issues that are critical to moving forward towards a healthy and safe environment by developing local responses to global challenges, actively engaging in resilience initiatives in the school and local community.

Benefits for Teachers

How it Works

The Transition Year Programme provides a means of strengthening the place of ESD in the curriculum.  ESD skills, such as Peer Education, can enhance learning opportunities in the Senior Cycle. As TY has a modular structure of three or four cycles of eight weeks, I facilitate and deliver an 8-week environmental and community-based action project programme. Students will develop an action project that is important to them, enabling them to connect with their local community, using land-based learning methodologies. Students will also have the opportunity to put their projects forward for national awards. Action projects place an emphasis on personal development and student empowerment.

Focused Workshops

My  school workshops focus on sustainable development related issues such as biodiversity, resource and energy use, as well as Community Development, Sustainable Enterprises and ECO Health and Well Being.

Read about a real case study

Newpark Comprehensive School
Transition Year Action Project

Learn More

Funding for Workshops

World Wise Global Schools & Irish Aid

World Wise Global Schools and Irish Aid provide funding to schools to build the capacity of imbedding development education into teaching and learning, and to empower students to fulfill their role as active global citizens. Our collaboration to work together in September 2017 would make your school eligible for this grant. Examples of activities that may be funded include:
  • Teacher’s planning and learning time for development education
  • Student-focused activities and engagement (such as debates, seminars, exhibitions, and action research projects)
  • Peer learning initiatives that encourage a critical approach to teaching and learning
  • Whole-school activities and events to raise awareness of development and share learning
Grant applications range from €600 to €2000. Applications are now closed for 2017 but should will reopen in 2018.

The Community Environment Action Fund

The Community Environment Action Fund, promotes sustainable development by assisting small-scale environmental projects at local level. These projects involve partnership arrangements between local authorities and various local groups including community groups, schools and environmental NGOs. The Fund encourages involvement of local communities in local action and decision-making and assists them in working towards the goal of sustainable development.

Previous schools that have benefited from this funding opportunity are Newpark Comprehensive and St Andrews College.