Donegal duo announced as National Youth Council of Ireland's Local Champions

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), which represents organisations working with young people nationwide, has launched its Local Champions initiative for 2025.

The campaign aims to ensure increased investment in young people and youth work both locally and nationally, with Charles Gallagher from Letterkenny and Peter McNelis from Ardara being selected as Local Champions for Donegal.  

Grace McManus, NYCI campaigns manager explained, “As part of the Local Champions project, a group of passionate and dedicated young people have been selected as representatives from their communities, tasked with meeting their local politicians and championing the cause of youth work.” 

The Local Champions receive training and support from the NYCI to effectively convey the positive impact youth work has on their lives and the lives of young people in the local area, as well as the importance of investing in youth work. The NYCI are calling for an increased investment of €21 million in the youth work in Budget 2026, to support services with increasing pressures and ensure equal access to youth work for all young people nationwide. 

The Local Champions in Donegal are now engaging with TDs Pearse Doherty, Pat "the Cope" Gallagher, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Charlie McConalogue and Charles Ward. 

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Local Champion Charles Gallagher said, “I’m grateful to the National Youth Council for giving me this opportunity to speak for young people of Donegal and to make sure any issue around youth work or any problems young people have in the county are taken to the appropriate politicians and departments in government. I look forward to meeting and hearing from youth stakeholders here in the county and getting to work as soon as possible with them."

Fellow Local Champion Peter McNelis added, “I am delighted to be a part of this year's Local Champions, and I can't wait to use my opportunities to talk to whoever possible and get young voices heard more.” 

This initiative will include activities such as engaging with policymakers, sharing personal stories and using social media to raise awareness and mobilise support. Through these efforts, the NYCI and Local Champions will aim to create a broader understanding of the significance of youth work and its positive impact on society. 

This is part of the NYCI's campaign ahead of Budget 2026 to ensure that young people and youth work receive the necessary investment and support they deserve. The Local Champions initiative is supported by the Community Foundation Ireland. 

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland concluded, "Empowering Generations is central to our mission as a philanthropic hub for Ireland. To achieve that goal we’re delighted to be partners with NYCI. The Local Champions network aims to amplify the voices of young people and showcase the transformative power of youth work. It is bringing together an inspirational group of young people, and we look forward to seeing them connecting with their local representatives to share how youth work changes lives.”