Wednesday News Issue 37

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Dóchas Updates

(1) Contact Your TD Email Template - Lives on the Line Campaign for Budget 2026

Join the Dóchas Lives on the Line campaign to push for increased aid spending in Budget 2026 by contacting your local representative. Follow the four simple steps here to contact your TD, to ensure they know that Ireland must invest in future generations and a more secure and prosperous world. Choose a real-life story provided by one of our members to input and personalise it for added impact. Aid cuts are having a devastating impact on the lives of the most vulnerable people around the world. However, IRELAND CAN LEAD. Use our tool to email your local TD today. Every voice matters.

(2) Defining Locally Led Development Success Factors: Local Partner Perspectives - 29 September

Dóchas is seeking a consultant for our project on defining the success factors for locally led development.
This project will bring together a cross-section of local partners of Dóchas members in three countries in East Africa to articulate what they see as the most important elements - the key success indicators - in moving to locally led development (LLD). These will be explored in the context of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) frameworks for LLD. Find out more here. Closing date 29 September

Upcoming events and conferences

(1) GOAL: Water-Share Ireland Hackathon Registrations Live - 15-16 October

Registration is now open for the Water-Share Ireland Hackathon 2025. This exciting two-day, in-person event will once again bring together Ireland’s water sector to tackle urgent global WASH challenges. Find out more here.

(2) Irish Global Health Network: IGHNxEU: Empowering Women for a Healthier Europe - 14 November

The Irish Global Health Network is excited to invite you to IGHNx EU: Empowering Women for a Healthier Europe, a TED-style event taking place on Friday, 14 November 2025 at the RDS, Dublin. Co-hosted with Women in Global Health Ireland and the European Institute of Women’s Health, this inspiring day will feature bold talks, creative performances, and a vibrant Global Health Village. Find out more here

(3) Saolta: Making spACE for Justice - 7 November

As conflict, climate breakdown, inequality, displacement, and genocide devastate lives worldwide, Adult and Community Education in Ireland plays a vital role in creating spaces of hope, solidarity, and justice. Join Saolta for Making spACE for Justice — a national gathering of educators, activists, and community leaders. For more information contact maggie(at)saolta.com

Upcoming Meetings, Seminars & Workshops

(1)  UCDVO: Volunteering for Sustainability - Perspectives Through Storytelling - 24 September

UCDVO's Annual Forum 'Volunteering for Sustainability - Perspectives Through Storytelling' takes place in UCD as part of UCD SDG Week, on Wednesday 24 September 2-4pm, in the DramSoc Theatre, Student Centre, Belfield Campus.

The UCDVO Annual Forum will explore volunteering for sustainable development through personal storytelling, showcasing six storytellers, who will share their diverse experiences with, and reflections on, local and global volunteering through the spoken word. We will also be joined by researcher Maxine Mpofu from Northumbria University, Newcastle, and there will be a performance from the brilliant musician and composer Seamus Hyland. Find out more here.

(2) Sightsavers Ireland:  Sightsavers Ireland Film Festival: A Vision for Action - 13 October

Sightsavers Ireland invites you to an evening of powerful storytelling, advocacy, and awareness as we host a special Film Festival to mark World Sight Day 2025. Through a compelling selection of short films and documentaries, we will explore the global impact of avoidable blindness and the importance of inclusive eye health. Through the lens of filmmakers, activists, and those with lived experience, the festival invites audiences to see the world differently, and be inspired to take action for a future where no one is left behind.

Monday 13th October 2025, 5:30 PM, Lighthouse Cinema Smithfield

RSVP to comms@sightsavers.ie and please let us know if you have any accessibility and/or dietary requirements.

(3) CONCORD:  Let's talk Equality - Disability and sustainable development: become champions of disability inclusion - 18 September

Join our second webinar of our Let's Talk Equality series! The webinar will take place online on the 18th of September and it will focus on learning how to champion disability inclusive sustainable development! While persons with disabilities make up 16% of the global population, disability inclusion often slips off the policy agenda, leaving millions of people behind. We will reflect on how to advocate for sustainable development for all, leaving no one behind. Find out more here.

(4) IFIAD:  Voluntary Carbon Markets Webinar - 22 September

IFIAD will host an online meeting on “Can Voluntary Carbon Markets deliver fairer outcomes for farmers?”  22nd September 12pm – 1pm. The Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) is emerging as a powerful tool to deliver investment in sustainable development but can the benefits reach rural communities? Speakers will include One Acre Fund, Fian International, VITA, and Self Help Africa, chaired by Prof Charles Spillane. To register click here.

(5) ECO-UNESCO:  ECO-Week - 22-26 September

ECO-Week is a week of FREE, online events which are centered around raising awareness about environmental issues, and the Sustainable Development Goals. The aim of ECO-Week is to inspire and empower young people to take environmental action in their school or community, while also providing participants with an opportunity to explore current environmental affairs, and help them to learn more about the amazing work of invited guest speakers and Irish environmental organisations. Find out more here.

(6) DSAI:  Showcasing Irish Funded Development Research - 29 September

The Development Studies Association of Ireland (DSAI) is pleased to launch a pilot webinar series as part of the Research Symposium on Irish Funded Development Research. This series showcases the value of collaborative, evidence-based research in shaping development policy and practice. Join us on our upcoming session will spotlight Irish Funded Development Research projects in Malawi, highlighting key challenges, innovative responses, and the contribution of Irish Aid–supported research to sustainable development. Find out more here.

(7) DSAI: Official Book Launch with Sara Ahmed – No Is Not a Lonely Utterance: The Art and Activism of Complaining - 6 October

The Gender Study Group of the Development Studies Association of Ireland (DSAI), in collaboration with The Gutter Bookshop, is delighted to host an exciting FREE public opportunity to engage with Sara Ahmed at the launch of her latest book No Is Not a Lonely Utterance: The Art and Activism of Complaining. Find out more here.

Vacancies

(1) Trócaire:  Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

Trócaire is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in a number of countries. Find out more and apply here. Various closing dates apply.

(2) Oxfam Ireland:  Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

Oxfam is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in a number of countries. Find out more and apply here. Various closing dates apply.

(3) Concern Worldwide:  Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

Concern Worldwide is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in Ireland and internationally. Find out more and apply here. Various closing dates apply.

(4) GOAL:  Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

GOAL is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in a number of countries. Find out more and apply here. Various closing dates apply.

(5) Irish Red Cross:  Vacancies in Ireland and Internationally

The Irish Red Cross is currently advertising vacancies for various roles in a number of countries. Find out more and apply here. Various closing dates apply.

(6) IDEA:  Capacity Development Programme Manager - 13 October

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is looking for a Capacity Development Programme Manager to join our team to lead IDEA’s capacity development programme, ensuring our members and the wider sector have access to high-quality training, workshops, and networking opportunities. This is a unique leadership opportunity to help shape the future of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in Ireland and beyond. At IDEA, we work with over 100 members, from large NGOs like Trócaire and Concern to smaller organisations and individual educators, all committed to building a more just, equal, and sustainable world. The Capacity Development Programme Manager role is central to this mission. Find out more here

(7)  Brighter Communities: Fundraiser - 31 October

Brighter Communities Worldwide is seeking an experienced, dynamic and values-driven Fundraiser to lead and grow our fundraising function. This role is responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive plan to achieve our annual fundraising income target through a variety of streams. The ideal candidate is not only a skilled fundraiser, but also a compelling storyteller, a strong team leader, and a relationship-builder who embodies empathy and participation in everything they do. Find out more here

(8) TASC:  Climate Researcher - 17 September

TASC is looking to hire a researcher to increase the capacity of TASC as we advance our work in Climate Justice. The researcher will focus primarily on Climate Justice initiatives but may be asked to support TASC’s other streams. This unique role will give the successful candidate the opportunity to work on both local and multilateral Climate Justice initiatives across the island. If you care about people and their rights, understand the gravity of the catastrophe we face in terms of climate breakdown and wish to work on solutions that address inequality, empower people and accelerate climate action, this might be the right opportunity for you. Find out more here.

(9) Irish Refugee Council:  Children's Caseworkers - 25 September

The Children’s Caseworker will support children seeking international protection, who arrived to Ireland unaccompanied and are being cared for by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), in the international protection process. The project will take a child- centred and trauma-informed approach. The project will inform children of their rights and obligations in a child-friendly manner, with a main purpose to assist in the process of applying for international protection with and on behalf of the child. Find out more here.

Courses and Training

(1) NYCI:  NUI Certificate Course in Global Youth Work and Development Education - 22 September

Are you concerned about some of the big issues of our time such as climate change, global conflict, migration, poverty, racism, hunger, and right-wing extremism? If so, our Level 8 NUI Certificate in Global Youth Work and Development Education delivered by NYCI in partnership with Maynooth University, may be of interest. Find out more here.

(2) STAND:  Registrations are now open for the STAND Global Issues Courses - 6 October

STAND’s Global Issues Courses are six-week certified programmes designed for third-level students and recent graduates who want to deepen their understanding of social justice and sustainability. Starting this October, each course runs through a series of evening workshops with expert facilitators, tackling urgent questions on economics, the environment, racism, democracy, and how we can imagine fairer futures together. What’s new this year is a hybrid format: one course open online to students nationwide, and two campus-based series at TU Dublin and UCD, with a mix of online and in-person sessions. Each programme ends with a celebratory final gathering. Find out more here.

(3) ECO-UNESCO:  The Youth Climate Justice Programme 2025 is open for applications

The Youth Climate Justice Programme 2025 is a free after-school initiative for young people aged 14–18 who want to learn about and take action for climate justice. Over 12 weeks, participants engage in weekly workshops, monthly events, individual climate action projects, group campaigns, and the annual ECO-UNESCO Earth Gala. Each cohort of the programme brings together a nationwide group of creative, action-oriented young people passionate about climate justice. Past participants have developed skills and created impactful projects such as short films, banners, digital comics, and public art. Find out more here.

Other news

(1)  DSAI: Call for Panels, Papers, Posters - 30 September

We invite proposals for panels and abstract/paper and poster submission for Development Studies Association (DSA Ireland) annual conference, ‘Development in the Interregnum: Past, Present, and Future(s)’ at Trinity College Dublin on 15th & 16th January 2026. Submission deadline is 30th September 2025. We welcome participation from scholars across disciplines including development studies, international and global studies, geography, political science, sociology, anthropology, and other cognate social sciences. Also welcome are activist and practitioner led research contributions and transdisciplinary research collaborative outputs. Please refer to guidelines here

(2) Self Help Africa: Shared Office Space Available

We are currently looking for a co-tenant to share our office space in Dublin 1. The proposed arrangement is that the co-tenant would have full use of the office space for 2 days a week, with related costs to be shared on a pro-rata basis. Facilities include 25 workstations, 3 meeting rooms and 1 pod, small kitchen, secure bike parking, secure access. For more information please contact: claire.oregan(at)selfhelpafrica.org or elisa.duncancullen(at)selfhelpafrica.org.

(3)  NYCI: Applications Open Young People's Committee Applications 2025-2026 -  7 October

The YOUTH2030 Young People’s Committee 2025-2026 is an exciting opportunity for young people (aged 16-25) to connect across Ireland with a focus on engaging in global justice topics. This is achieved in a supportive environment by exploring an aspect of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and finding the ways in which your work locally with issues connects to events and happenings globally. For 2025/26, we will be inviting the YPC to get focus on Youth, Peace and Security focusing on the SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The committee term takes place between November 2025-November 2026. Have your voice heard and bring your ideas to life! A programme funded by Irish Aid. Find out more here.

(4) DFAT: Evaluation Seminar Series webinar on ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Evaluation - 23 September

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is hosting the upcoming Evaluation Seminar Series webinar on ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Evaluation: Examples from Peer Foreign Ministries’ on 23rd September 2025, 13:00–14:15. This webinar will explore the ways that some foreign ministries have begun engaging with AI and using it as a tool to improve their respective evaluation functions. Registration, including more information on the webinar and speakers, is via this link. This event will be online only and registration is essential.

(5) Civil Society Unit - DFAT: 2026 Civil Society Fund Competition - 19 September

Minister Richmond launched the 2026 Civil Society Fund. Further details can be found here.

Email submissions to the Wednesday News here

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