Recognising, and rewarding leadership development in our youth is the goal of our annual Rotary competition and there's a fantastic prize for all who reach the finals to represent Ireland in Europe.
Nominate a young person who demonstrates leadership potential through their extra-curricular projects, have them represent your school or club and, if they're successful, their county and country too. Request an application pack to find out more.
The Prize
Winners of the final round receive an all-expenses-paid trip (usually five days) in February each year. The trip includes a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg where they meet up with winners from participating EU countries.
For winners on the island of Ireland, the trip may start with a visit to Stormont in Belfast, Dáil Eireann, the European Parliament Office in Dublin before departing for Strasbourg.
In advance of the trip, students are informed of current European issues on which they will debate, amend, vote and adopt in the EU Parliament.
Past Winners
The Rotary Youth Leadership Development competition has been running for over 25 years in Ireland, giving students the experience of a lifetime, providing them a taste of what it’s like to make decisions and to lead. Ireland's youngest Taoiseach, Simon Harris was a Rotary Youth Leader winner in 2003 and has said, many times, how this involvement with Rotary has had a great influence on his life.
Rotary Carlow has been well represented by all-Ireland winners such as:
- Allanah Willoughby, St. Leo's College Carlow (2022)
- David Lawlor, Presentation College Carlow (2018)
- Aoife O’Sullivan, Presentation College Carlow (2015)
- Sinéad Bolger, Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach
- Oisin McHugh, Presentation College Carlow (2012)
How to Enter:
We invite nominations from schools and youth clubs in County Carlow. Request an application pack for all details including:
- Application form
- Eligibility criteria, with specific dates for age eligibility (generally between 16 and 18 years).
- Closing date for entries and timeline for each stage of the competition
- Prize details for finalists
Timeline:
Competition entry starts in September, with application forms to be submitted to Rotary Carlow.
Through a series of interviews applicants are selected to go through to the second and final stage which is usually completed by early December.
Stage 1: Candidates are asked about the leadership experience they’ve gained through extra-curricular activities. A shortlist of candidates are selected for the next stage.
Stage 2: In the next interview round, one candidate is selected to represent Rotary Carlow in the zone final.
Stage 3: From the zone final interviews, 24 prize winners are selected (2 to 4 from each zone) across the island of Ireland.