Global Action Plan Ireland

🥇 WE WON A MEDAL AT BLOOM 2026! 🥇

Huge, heartfelt congratulations to the incredibly talented Sharon and Lee! Their stunning "Wish You Were Here" postcard garden has officially been awarded a Highly Commended medal at Bord Bia Bloom 2026! 🌸✨

Sharon and Lee have poured so much passion, creativity, and hard work into bringing this beautiful concept to life, and we couldn't be prouder to see their vision recognised and this amazing garden come to life. Thanks too to Niamh and all the garden volunteers who designed and painted the mural.

The gates are open, the sun is shining (fingers crossed!), and Bloom is officially underway. If you’re heading to the Phoenix Park this bank holiday weekend, make sure to come by, say hello, and experience the magic of the "Wish You Were Here" garden in person. It’s the perfect spot for a weekend stroll and some serious garden inspiration. 📸👇

Huge congrats again, Sharon and Lee! 🥂🎉

CPD that feels like a breath of fresh air. Literally. 🌬️🍃

GAP supported Outdoor Learning & Forest School EPV Courses is open for bookings! You can book places in Dublin, Galway, and Waterford this summer to help you bring your primary teaching and learning outside.

Why choose this course?
1️⃣ 100% Practical: You’ll be doing, creating, and experiencing—not just listening.
2️⃣ Curriculum Aligned: Easy-to-implement ideas for SESE, Maths, Language, and Wellbeing.
3️⃣ Boost Wellbeing: Spend your training days outdoors in a relaxing, supportive environment.

Approved for EPV days and perfect for you to help expand your teaching toolkit.

📍 Dublin | Galway | Waterford
🔗 Link in bio to grab your spot before they sell out!
Dublin: https://bit.ly/CPD_nature
Galway: https://tinyurl.com/GECoutdoored
Waterford: https://tinyurl.com/wtcepv2026

Seeking to cultivate hope in a time of change and challenge? 🌍✨

Active Hope is more than just a feeling—it’s a practice. If you’re feeling "sunk" by global challenges, join our friends at Project Mobilise for a transformative 3-hour workshop designed to nourish your resilience and enliven your engagement for positive change.

Co-facilitated by Chris Johnstone (co-author of Active Hope with Joanna Macy) and Anna Swisher (Project Mobilise), this interactive online session is specifically for those on the island of Ireland (including NI). This workshop may be useful for those who are interested in the GAP supported facilitator training starting in September '26.

What to expect:
A Shift in Perspective: Move from "feeling hopeful" to "practicing hope."
Overcoming Obstacles: Tools to face the scale of modern challenges without turning away.
The Work That Reconnects: Practical frameworks to prevent burnout and sustain your passion.
A Path Forward: Perfect for those interested in the upcoming Facilitator Training Programme that GAP is supporting

📅 WHEN: 30th of May | 10 am – 1 pm Irish Time
📍 WHERE: Online (Live participation required; will not be recorded)
💰 FEES: Supported (€35) | Standard (€50) | Supporting (€65)
Don't let the scale of the world dim your light. Learn how to show up, play your part, and stay resourced.

🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/AHMay26
📧 Questions? Email Anna at [email protected]

NEW CLASSROOM RESOURCE JUST DROPPED!

Exploring misinformation with secondary school students? Dig deeper into the topic with this Thinking Hats activity for student-centred conversations about the internet, social media and critical literacy.

This resource follows on from GAP’s video lesson about mis- and dis-information. It strongly aligns with learning outcomes in CSPE, SPHE Climate Action and Sustainable Development and Computer Science.

Developed with funding from WorldWise Global Schools

Download the resource here: https://tinyurl.com/gapmisinfo2026

In a recent workshop with Prosper Fingal Seatown and Ashbourne Green Teams we explored the consequences of a warming planet and the actions we can take in communities to reduce the impact.

This workshop was funded by Fingal County Council.

We had a great day in Poppintree Park with Holy Spirit BNS, Ballymun as part of GAP's Nature Explorer for Schools programme. By bringing groups to urban green spaces, Nature Explorer builds their connections to nature and their community so they value nature, people and place. Find out more at http://bit.ly/4frxTHm

Nature Explorer for Schools is funded by Dublin City Council and An Roinn Oideachais agus Óige - Department of Education and Youth.

🌱 Active Hope + Work That Reconnects (WTR) Facilitator Training Programme
📍 South Galway | 📅 Sept 2026 – May 2027

GAP is delighted to partner with Anna Swisher and the team from Project Mobilise for this upcoming facilitator training programme. The programme will be led by Anna and Chris Johnstone, alongside a rich team of co-facilitators and guest teachers.

This journey blends monthly in-person gatherings with online learning, peer practice groups, and 1:1 mentoring — creating a deeply supportive and immersive learning environment.

Designed for those engaged in social and environmental justice across Ireland, the programme offers a space to learn & explore how to share the practices of Active Hope and the Work That Reconnects in a relevant and meaningful way.

✨ Together, we’ll explore:
• Foundational teachings + principles
• Experiential practices & learning “labs”
• Facilitation skills
• Current social & ecological challenges
• Network building & co-learning

Whether you’re holding space in communities, organisations, or movements, this programme is here to help you sustain your passion, deepen your practice, and strengthen your capacity for meaningful systems change.

We’re genuinely excited about the depth and diversity of this programme and the people coming together to make it happen.

👇 Learn more & apply:
https://www.projectmobilise.com/about/facilitator-training

We were delighted to host a recent SDG Masterclass with Laois County Council for Laois Tidy Towns groups. This workshop helped attendees integrate the into their Tidy Towns application and embed it in their planning. Best of luck to everyone in the 2026 competition.

Laois Tidy Towns groups get Master Class on Sustainable Development Goals - News - Laois Nationalist Laois Tidy Towns groups get Master Class on Sustainable Development Goals - News - Laois Nationalist