Gaisce — The President's Award

Gaisce — The President's Award
Name	Gaisce — The President's Award
Type	Youth awards
Founded	1985
Founder	Patrick Hillery
Headquarters	Dublin
Region	Ireland
Leader title	President of Ireland
Leader name	Michael D. Higgins

Gaisce — The President's Award is a youth award scheme established to encourage personal development among young people across Ireland, promoting voluntary service, skills development, physical recreation and adventure. The programme aligns with international youth award models and engages partner organisations, youth clubs and educational institutions to provide structured challenges for participants aged 15–25. It is overseen by the Office of the President and operates in parallel with schemes such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the International Award Association.

History

Gaisce was inaugurated in 1985 under the patronage of Patrick Hillery and was formally linked with the office of the President of Ireland, most recently held by Michael D. Higgins, to promote youth development during the late 20th century. Its formation drew on precedents such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (established by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh), the Scouting Movement founded by Robert Baden-Powell, and the civic initiatives associated with the President of Ireland's ceremonial role. Over the ensuing decades, Gaisce expanded through partnerships with organisations including Foróige, Ógra Fianna Fáil, Comhairle na nÓg, and county youth services, adapting to policy shifts influenced by documents from the Department of Education and the United Nations's youth frameworks. Key milestones include the introduction of the Gold Award criteria, national award ceremonies at Áras an Uachtaráin, and cross-border participation initiatives involving Northern Ireland stakeholders and organisations like YouthAction Northern Ireland.

Structure and Awards Levels

The award operates at three progressive levels—Bronze, Silver and Gold—each requiring longer periods of activity and higher achievement, mirroring levels found in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the International Award. Bronze typically targets participants aged 15, Silver at 16, and Gold at 17 or older, with specific minimums set by the organisation. Each level integrates sections for personal development similar to frameworks used by European Youth Forum programmes and aligns with youth accreditation models promoted by bodies such as Youth Work Ireland and Quality and Qualifications Ireland.

Programme Sections and Requirements

Participants complete a combination of Voluntary Service, Personal Skill, Physical Recreation and an Adventure Journey, with Gold additionally requiring a Residential Project, reflecting components found in the International Award. Voluntary Service often involves placements with charities like Barnardos, Enable Ireland, or local community councils; Personal Skill activities range from music associated with institutions like the Royal Irish Academy of Music to technical skills linked to groups such as BITCI; Physical Recreation includes sports organised by bodies like the Gaelic Athletic Association and clubs affiliated with universities such as University College Dublin. Adventure Journeys are modelled on expeditions similar to those organised by the Irish Mountaineering Club and may use public lands such as Wicklow Mountains National Park or coastal routes near Cliffs of Moher, while Gold Residential Projects engage organisations like Volunteer Ireland or international partners recommended by the International Award Association.

Governance and Administration

Gaisce is administered by a board including representatives from youth organisations, educational institutions and public appointments associated with the President of Ireland's office, operating alongside a CEO and staff based in Dublin. The governance framework interfaces with statutory entities such as Sport Ireland for physical activity guidance and with accrediting bodies like Quality and Qualifications Ireland for recognition of learning outcomes. Funding and sponsorship have involved corporate partners including multinational firms operating in Ireland, grants from government departments such as the Department of Rural and Community Development, and support from philanthropic organisations like The Community Foundation for Ireland.

Participation and Impact

Thousands of young people from urban centres like Dublin, Cork, Galway, and rural counties have participated annually, with delivery channels through schools, community organisations, and youth centres such as Foróige clubs and college societies at Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. Evaluations of participant outcomes reference skills development comparable to competency frameworks used by European Commission youth studies, and impact reports highlight links to employability pathways into sectors represented by employers like Intel and Google in Ireland. Cross-border initiatives have fostered collaboration with groups in Northern Ireland and international exchanges with programmes in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand through the International Award Association network.

Notable Recipients and Events

High-profile award ceremonies are traditionally held at Áras an Uachtaráin and have seen attendance by Presidents such as Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, in addition to Michael D. Higgins. Notable recipients include public figures from politics, sport and the arts who have credited the award with formative experiences; events have featured guests from organisations like UNICEF Ireland, cultural institutions including the National Concert Hall (Ireland), and sporting bodies such as the Olympic Council of Ireland. National milestones include anniversary celebrations, partnership launches with organisations such as Foróige and commemorative gatherings involving representatives from the International Award Association.

Category:Youth awards in Ireland Category:Organizations established in 1985