On a rainy October day at the Drumkeeran Community Centre, students, teachers, volunteers and community members gathered to celebrate the Final Event of the Lough Allen College Energy Project. This is a Youth Participation initiative funded by Erasmus+ and facilitated by Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI). The aim of the project was to work with a core group of TY students from Lough Allen College in Drumkeeran to create Climate Champions . This event marked the culmination of months of learning, collaboration, and civic engagement, as young people from Lough Allen College came together to showcase their journey toward building a more sustainable and active future.
The Lough Allen College Energy Project began in November 2024 with an ambitious goal: to empower young people to take meaningful action on climate change and community participation. In its first event in February, the students took part in a school campaign, presenting proposals for reducing energy consumption, pollution and littering – addressing some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
This was the beginning of a journey that took them far beyond the walls of their school. In the following months, the students had the opportunity to present their ideas to representatives from Leitrim County Council, the Oireachtas at the Dáil Éireann in Dublin, and finally, the European Parliament in Brussels. This was for them a transformative experience – one that offered them not only an understanding of how democratic systems work, but also a chance to make their voices heard on issues that affect their future and the planet.
Over the course of the project, the students – guided and supported by the dedicated European Solidarity Corps volunteers working with GEAI – took part in a series of workshops, discussions, and training sessions. These experiences helped them strengthen their voices, deepen their understanding of civic participation, and develop practical solutions to environmental issues affecting their community. Together, they discovered that active citizenship is not only about being heard, but about working collaboratively to create real and lasting change.
The Final Event began with a warm welcome and introduction from Aedín McLoughlin, Director of Good Energies Alliance Ireland, who shared her insights on the project’s impact and the importance of empowering youth to take leadership roles in sustainability initiatives. Her words reminded everyone present that the young people of today are the changemakers of tomorrow.
We then heard from Maria Foley, a teacher at Lough Allen College who has supported the project since its beginning. She spoke about how the initiative has transformed students’ understanding of environmental responsibility and how it helped them growing confidence. Following her, a student who participated as one of the Climate Champions shared their experience, describing how the project encouraged them to take action and speak out on issues that matter to their generation.
The keynote speaker, Gemma O’Connolly from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, offered a fascinating perspective on Ireland’s marine ecosystems and the importance of protecting biodiversity. She highlighted how small, community-led initiatives can contribute to larger environmental goals, reminding everyone that every action counts when it comes to preserving our planet’s natural beauty and balance.
The event concluded with a heartfelt certificate presentation, recognising each student’s contribution and commitment throughout the project. The celebration was a proper end to a project that has truly embodied the spirit of solidarity, learning, and environmental action.
Projects like the Lough Allen College Energy initiative demonstrate the powerful role education and participation can play in addressing global challenges. Initiatives like this not only nurture environmental awareness but also cultivate democratic engagement. When youth understand how systems of governance work—and see that their ideas can influence decision-makers at local, national, and even European levels—they become empowered to take action for the common good.
