Young people aged 18-30 from across Ireland are invited to come together for Global Solidarity Hub – Youth for Action, a free event taking place at TU Dublin, Aungier Street, on Saturday 24 October 2026.

Bringing together young leaders, activists, artists, and changemakers, the event will provide a space for young people to connect, share perspectives, and explore their role in addressing some of today’s most pressing global challenges, from climate justice and human rights to disability inclusion, equality, and international solidarity.

Organised by the Global Solidarity Hub, a collaboration between Sightsavers Ireland, GOAL, and Trócaire, and in partnership with Black and Irish, Youth for Action aims to amplify young people’s voices and encourage meaningful participation in shaping a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable future. The event is also recognised as an Associated Event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, and will be facilitated by representatives from the National Youth Council of Ireland.

In a joint statement, the Global Solidarity Hub organising partners said:

“Young people have a vital role to play in shaping a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable world. Through Youth for Action, we want to create an accessible and welcoming space where young people from diverse backgrounds can share perspectives, challenge ideas, and explore their collective power to drive positive change. By bringing together different voices, experiences, and areas of expertise, we hope to inspire meaningful conversations, new connections, and practical action that extend beyond the event itself.”

A programme driven by young voices

The event will feature interactive discussions, workshops, and live performances, combining opportunities for learning and reflection with practical approaches to activism and global citizenship.

Youth advocate and policy leader Aisling Maloney will deliver the opening keynote, followed by an interactive World Café featuring young advocates and changemakers, including James Casserly, Sightsavers Ireland Equal World Youth Champion and accessible travel advocate, Dafe Pessu Orugbo, award-winning artist, playwright and musician, best known as one half of Irish hip-hop duo Tebi Rex, and Mikey Cullen, award winning Dublin Poet, teacher, actor, filmmaker, and spoken word Artist.

James Casserly, Sightsavers Ireland Equal World Youth Champion, said:

“Young people have ideas, experiences, and perspectives that deserve to be heard, particularly when it comes to issues like equality, accessibility, and inclusion. As a young person with a disability, I know how important it is that we’re included in conversations and decisions that affect our lives. Events like Youth for Action give us the opportunity to learn from one another, challenge assumptions, and work together towards a more inclusive future.”

Afternoon workshops delivered by the participating organisations will explore themes including campaigning, climate justice, disability inclusion, and responsible communications. A youth-led Open Space session, facilitated by Black and Irish Founder Leon Diop, will invite participants to identify the global issues they care most about and explore practical actions they can take together.

The day will also feature live performances from Palestinian-Jordanian beatbox artist Abood Aladham, DJ Hewan, and Irish-Libyan singer-songwriter Farah Elle, bringing music and cultural expression into the conversation around global solidarity.

Lunch will be provided by Bethlehem Restaurant, serving a delicious selection of Palestinian dishes, with options to accommodate a range of dietary requirements and preferences.

Creating an accessible and inclusive space

Accessibility and inclusion are central to Youth for Action, reflecting the Global Solidarity Hub’s commitment to ensuring that young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences can participate meaningfully.

The event will take place at an accessible venue, with Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation, a dedicated sensory/quiet room, and earplugs available. Participants can also communicate individual access requirements when registering.

The programme has been designed to encourage participation in different ways, including quieter discussion spaces and opportunities for participants to choose the conversations and activities most relevant to them.

Róisín McAtamney, Global Citizenship Education Manager at Sightsavers Ireland, said:

“Accessibility has been a priority in planning this event because meaningful youth participation means ensuring everyone has the opportunity to be involved. We want to create a welcoming environment where young people with different experiences and access requirements feel comfortable, included, and empowered to contribute.”

Youth for Action is open to all young people aged 18-30, regardless of previous experience in activism, campaigning, or global development. Whether already engaged in social change or simply curious about global issues, attendees are encouraged to come along, connect with others, and discover opportunities to get involved.

Global Solidarity Hub – Youth for Action takes place on Saturday 24 October 2026, from 10:30am to 5:00pm, at TU Dublin, Aungier Street. Attendance is free, but advance registration is required. For further information and to register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/global-solidarity-hub-youth-for-action-tickets-2000397675296

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Before setting off across Europe, the volunteers gathered at Maxol Ardbrae, Bray to fill their tanks and prepare for the journey. Led by Sammy Byrne, one of the driving forces behind the initiative, the volunteers will deliver supplies and vehicles to help transport wounded people to lifesaving medical care.

Pictured are Sammy Byrne, Jeeps for Peace group leader, Anna Dimitrov, Oleksandra Kunitska, and Gordon Anderson of Jeeps for Peace, with the volunteers at Maxol Vevay Road, Bray.

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The new shop offers freshly prepared food and drinks throughout the day, from breakfast and lunch to sweet treats, Fairtrade coffee and evening options.

Customers can enjoy their Greggs go-to including Sausage Rolls, Steak Bakes and vegan alternatives, alongside seasonal menu launches such as the new Steak & Stilton® Bake and Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Customers can choose to sit in, take away, order ahead through Click + Collect on the Greggs App or enjoy delivery via Just Eat and Uber Eats. Greggs App users can also access rewards and exclusive offers, including a free hot or iced drink when signing up and sweet treat on their birthday.

The Dunmurry shop opens with a modern look and comfortable seating and will be open daily from 6:30am – 6:30pm.

Gillian Long, Retail Operations Director for Greggs, said: “Our new shop in Dunmurry has brought 2 new jobs to the local area and gives customers a convenient new place to enjoy their Greggs favourites, whether they’re picking up breakfast, lunch or a coffee on the go.”

Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group said: “Greggs is a new and exciting addition to Maxol’s food to go offer. We’re delighted that customers in Belfast will now be able to enjoy their popular ranges when driving in to fuel up on the Beechlawn forecourt and we wish the new Greggs team every success.”

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The marketplace holds no stock, sells no own-label products and never competes with its retailers 

Retailers can sell into 21 markets through one account, with VAT calculated automatically

Hundreds of retailers are already trading, and more are being welcomed ahead of Black Friday and the Christmas peak

Thirty years ago, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou launched easyJet to challenge the established airlines. Now, the founder of the easy family of brands is taking the same challenger philosophy into online shopping with easyShop.com, a new multi-category marketplace set to rival Amazon, officially open in Ireland and across 20 other European countries. 

The launch takes the easy brand into one of the world’s largest consumer markets with a proposition built around value, simplicity and rewards for shoppers, together with a marketplace model designed to give retailers a fairer environment in which to grow.

Unlike retail-led marketplaces, easyShop does not hold stock, sell own-label products or compete with the businesses using its platform. Every product belongs to a retailer, and every customer order generates a sale for a retailer.

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of the easy family of brands, said: “Competition is good for consumers and it’s good for businesses. No market benefits when everyone feels they have only one place to go.

“easyShop brings together the values the easy brand has always stood for, simplicity, value and choice, with a marketplace model that’s designed to help retailers grow rather than compete against them. I believe there is plenty of room for a fresh approach to online shopping.”

Retailers can reach shoppers in their choice of 21 markets through one account, with VAT calculated automatically. They do not need to establish a company in every country, which opens international expansion to businesses that may previously have found the cost and complexity of local operations a barrier.

Hundreds of retailers are already trading on easyShop following a phased rollout of its local sites. With Black Friday and Christmas approaching, the marketplace is now inviting more UK, European and international sellers to join, expand their reach and capitalise on the busiest trading period of the year.

easyShop is powered and operated by OnCommerce, the marketplace technology business behind OnBuy and the soon-to-launch Comet marketplace.

Cas Paton, Founder & CEO of OnCommerce, commented:  “Too many retailers are building their business on a platform that’s also their biggest competitor. We think that’s wrong. easyShop will never sell against the businesses that sell with it.

“The easy brand has spent 30 years taking on the establishment and winning. Now we’re taking on the giants of online shopping, and we’re doing it on the side of sellers, to give them the fair deal they’ve been missing for too long.”

For shoppers, easyShop brings millions of products from trusted retailers into one destination, with competitive prices, free delivery on millions of products, rewards on every purchase, flexible payment options and verified reviews.

Retailers can register to sell on easyShop.

Shoppers can visit easyShop.

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