Championing for the youth
Local champion Aoibhe Beatty (20) is on a mission this summer: She wants the politicians’ positive responses to her proposal of a local youth community hall in Cavan to be followed through.
A “Local Champion” is a young person between 18 and 30 who has benefited from youth work to advocate in their community and ensure youth work funding is prioritized on the political agenda. In a recent meeting with local politicians in Dublin, she highlighted the urgent need for increased Government funding for youth work services in the budget 2026.
The event is part of the #YouthWorkersChangeLives campaign, which highlights the power of youth work and calls on Government to act. It is hosted by the National Youth Council Ireland (NYCI) Local Champions to amplify the voices of young people and showcase the transformative power of youth work locally and nationally.
Speaking at the national event in Buswells Hotel, Aoibhe said: “Youth work has given me a voice, and I want to spread this to all the young people of Cavan & Monaghan constituency.” The NYCI is calling for an additional €21.3 million for youth work.
According the Mullahoran native the biggest issue is lack of locations; a place where young people can meet, play games, hang out. “I grew up with Foróige in Kilnaleck,” she remembers fondly. “Untill it had to be closed down, because the roof of the building had rotted off.” The vivid description showcases the general management of youth facilities like this. Maybe too little too late. Even though the space has been replaced since, it was hard to get the youth back on board she recalls. She went on attending Foróige in Granard. “A brilliant set-up. A youth hub with offices, a café, meeting room, pingpong-table, darts, touchscreen TV, pool table, all well run.”
Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at NYCI, knows of the benefits:”With increased investment we can continue to strengthen our communities, offering young people the spaces and opportunities to build relationships, develop skills and increase their confidence.”
Aoibhe is currently studying in Galway, but she is still an ardent representative for the youth in Cavan and Monaghan: “I will do this for as long as I can.” Being the oldest of 4 siblings from 11 to 17 years of age, she sees “what they are missing”.
Her demands are not unreasonable. Citing the Clones Community Centre as another prime example for young people to get together, she wants to see facilities like these being opened in Cavan.
At the event in Dublin, Aoibhe met with Minister Niamh Smyth, TDs David Maxwell, Brendan Smith and senators Robbie Gallagher, Joe O’Reilly and Pauline Tully. “They all seemed interested and very much on board,” she says.
She has contacted them since to organise follow up meetings with them. She is envisioning a youth community hall as part of the Abbeylands project – and she hopes the local politicians will commit to implementing this idea.