Capacity Building Grant and Hub na nÓg Training to support implementation of the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making at the level of everyday practice

Press Release 11th June 2021: Link here

Minister Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., has today announced that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has established a fund and Hub na nÓg* training to support implementation of the National Participation Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision Making, (2021). The emphasis will be on the everyday spaces and settings where practitioners work directly with children and young people.

Training and capacity building for decision-makers is one of the four enabling factors that underpin the effective implementation of the Framework.

This grant scheme aims to build capacity and support organisations in a journey towards improving their practice in listening to children and young people and giving them a voice in decision-making in their day-to-day practices, services, projects, programmes or activities.

Eligible organisations are invited to apply for the grant which will provide funding to enable participation in training from Hub na nÓg and to develop and/or purchase resources to support use of the ‘Everyday Spaces Checklist’ in their work with children and young people.

Speaking today, Minister O’Gorman said:

“I am delighted to announce this Capacity Building Grant initiative to run alongside the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making. This initiative will deliver evidence-based training, provide assistance in the creation of online resources and enable the development of a Voice Toolkit of resources to help practitioners to effectively listen to children and young people and take their views seriously in the setting and space in which they work with children or young people.”

HOW TO APPLY:

Application Form including guidance booklet available here.

Closing Date for Applications: Close of Business on Monday June 28.

Contact: citizenparticipation@equality.gov.ie

Notes:

The National Participation Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision Making launched in April 2021. It was developed in collaboration with Professor Laura Lundy of Queen’s University, Belfast.

The Framework supports departments, agencies and organisations to improve their practice in listening to children and young people and giving them a voice in decision-making. It is underpinned by:

* The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)

* The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) and

* The National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making

Hub na nÓg:

Objective 5 of The National Strategy for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision Making provides for the DCEDIY to maintain its leadership role to champion and promote children and young people’s participation.

The priority action to realise this Objective was the establishment of a Children and Young People’s Participation Hub, as a national centre for excellence. Named, Hub na nÓg: Young Voices in Decision Making, the centre of excellence was established and launched in November 2017. Hub na nÓg as a resource is now available to support all Government Departments, State Agencies and other relevant bodies in implementing the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making.