Youth Leadership Development Competition 2026/2027
Information & Application Form for Schools & Colleges
The Rotary Ireland Youth Leadership Development Competition, run in conjunction with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin, will take place again in 2026/2027. Rotary Ireland has been organising this event for several years and we see at first-hand the opportunities and benefits it gives to the young leaders of today and tomorrow. It is an opportunity to enhance their personal development and improve their communication and teambuilding skills. Students learn life skills, as well as gaining confidence in public speaking and debate. Every year great friendships are formed that last for years.
“Rotary is committed to offering young people opportunities to unlock their potential,
develop their skills & broaden their horizons”
The Euroscola programme in Strasbourg brings together students from all EU Member States, applicant countries and former Member States to debate, take sides, negotiate, amend, vote and finally adopt resolutions on real European issues. The students get an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the workings of the European institutions, to discuss democracy, fundamental rights, European values and to express their personal opinions on the decisions taken at the European Union level.
Submission dates for the various stages of the competition will be decided through your local Rotary club. As a general rule, Stages 1 & 2 will normally happen before Halloween. Stage 3 normally happens in November.
Your local Rotary Club will confirm submission and interview dates in advance of deadlines. They may also advise on the preferred method of receipt of completed applications.
Rotary Club Sligo
“The interviews push you to learn about EU democracy and the work of Rotary. All students should learn about politics.”
Former winner
The Competition
How it works
01
STAGE 1
Rotary Clubs will invite local schools to encourage their students to enter the competition. This involves completing an application form and then attending an interview with Rotary members. Interview questions are based on the application form, and also on leadership, students’ knowledge of Rotary and EU, their involvement in their local community and current affairs.
02
STAGE 2
All school winners will attend another interview to determine the Rotary Club winner. Similar questions may be asked, but it is expected that students would display a deeper knowledge of the topics. The interview panel is again Rotary members.
Interviews for Stage 1 and Stage 2 are normally held during October.
03
STAGE 3
All Rotary club winners now move into the Zone Final. There are 11 Rotary Zones and each zone has between 4 & 8 Rotary clubs. Again, students attend an interview. The interview panel at this stage are non-Rotarians. They are experts in the field of Leadership, working with young people and in adjudication. After the interviews, 1- 3 students will be selected as Zone winners, from each zone.
Interviews for Stage 3 are normally held during November.
The Prize
The trip will take place in late Jan or early Feb 2027 (depending on EU allocated dates) and will be made up from:
DAY 1
Visit to Parliament Buildings at Stormont in Belfast.
Here you will have a chance to meet and chat with elected members of the NI Assembly, known as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), take a tour of the building and have an opportunity to sit in the public gallery to listen to MLAs discussions – this may be subject to availability of MLAs!
Please note that, subject to availability, a visit to Belfast City Hall may also be included.
DAY 2
Visit to Europe House in Dublin.
The building is the European Union Liaison Office and includes the Europa Experience, the aim of which is to educate visitors in relation to the EU’s work. This interactive experience includes multimedia stations and a 360-degree cinema which will allow visitors to participate in a plenary session of the parliament or take part in a role-play game as a Member of the European Parliament.
DAY 2
Visit to Dáil Éireann (Leinster House) & Seanad Éireann in Dublin.
The building is the European Union Liaison Office and includes the Europa Experience, the aim of which is to educate visitors in relation to the EU’s work. This interactive experience includes multimedia stations and a 360-degree cinema which will allow visitors to participate in a plenary session of the parliament or take part in a role-play game as a Member of the European Parliament.
DAY 3
Travelling to Strasbourg
DAY 4
Visit the European Parliament*
Visit the European Parliament* in Strasbourg, to take part in Euroscola. Here you will become an MEP for a day! The Euroscola programme brings together students from all over Europe for a hands-on experience in parliamentary democracy.
See details from last year’s event at https://youth.europarl.europa.eu/more-information/euroscola.html
Visit to European Court of Human Rights * – the day concludes with a visit to ECHR and a personal meeting with its coordinator.
-
This is subject to availability on the date
In advance of the trip, students will be informed of the various topics which they will debate at the European Parliament. Students will need to research these topics and then work with other winners to prepare the topics for presentation at the Parliament. Students will meet other young people from various European countries on their visit to the Parliament and will have opportunities to debate the topics with them.
" This competition provides a truly outstanding opportunity to young students. You learn so much about politics in your local area but also across the EU. I would definitely recommend taking part in this competition as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you make lifelong friendships."
NOTE TO SCHOOLS/COLLEGES
All entrants must be over 16 years of age on 1st January 2027 and under 18 years of age on 31st March 2027
PASSPORTS
The competition is open to students from Northern Ireland who hold a UK or EU passport.
European Union passports are mandatory for students who are living in the Republic of Ireland.
As Ukraine has been granted “Application Status “by the EU, students from Ukraine are eligible to enter this competition.
Passports need to be in date (valid) up to six months from date of trip.
Application Forms for this competition will be available from your Rotary Club from September. We hope you will include this competition as part of your extra curriculum projects for your school year.
AGE RESTRICTIONS
All entrants must be over 16 years of age on 1st January 2027 and under 18 years of age on 31st March 2027. Please note that the age range must be as detailed above. The age of the applicants will be checked at all levels of the competition, if the applicants age is not as detailed above, they will be disqualified. Please note that family members of Rotarians are eligible to participate in the competition.
Rotary Clubs undertaking YLDC will adhere to all compliance polices relating to Health and Safety, Child Protection and Equality and Diversity. See details about these on the RGBI website at https://my.rotary.org/en/privacy-policy and at https://my.rotary.org/en/knowledge-and-resources/resources-and-reference/youth-protection
Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition coordinator is:
Ciara Irwin-Foley
00353 (0) 87 2 444 353