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Léargas

@leargas.ireland

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We manage international cooperation programmes for learners, staff & volunteers active in education, training & youth #ErasmusPlus #EUSolidarityCorps
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For 40 years, Léargas has worked to support learning, connection and understanding across communities, sectors, and borders. At the heart of this work are people. Their curiosity. Their willingness to learn. Their openness to new perspectives. It’s through people that European values are lived, shared, and sustained. That is why we’re launching #ProjectVoices. Every project has a voice, and Project Voices is about listening to them. From rural communities to classrooms, from local projects to international collaboration, #ProjectVoices will highlight the people whose experiences show the impact of European programmes. These stories show how learning goes beyond institutions. It shapes skills, communities, and futures. They reflect the values at the core of Léargas and the wider European project: cooperation, inclusion, solidarity, and mutual understanding. Watch the video for a first look at some of the #ProjectVoices that we’ll be sharing soon. Learn more about our programmes via the link in our bio. With thanks to @thereelistsfilm, @bhc.monaghan, @colaisteiosaef, @clonakilty_fet, @daviscollegemallow, @gtigalway, @moatebusinesscollege, @southkerrydp, Kerry Social Farming, and @tus_ire. by @leargas.ireland
It’s not just a new year — it’s the year Léargas turns 40 🎉 And what better way to end January than by re-introducing ourselves. We’re Léargas, the National Agency for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps in Ireland. Established in 1986, we’re proud to be celebrating 40 years of connecting communities, supporting lifelong learning, and opening doors to European opportunities across Ireland. You can follow us on: Instagram @leargas.ireland Facebook @Léargas LinkedIn @Léargas Sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest news, events and European opportunities (link in bio!). #40YearsOfLéargas by @leargas.ireland
At The Gathering 2026, we launched our latest research report, The Impact of Erasmus+ on Vocational Education and Training in Ireland. This research explores how Erasmus+ mobility experiences benefit VET learners, staff and organisations, and highlights the transformative potential of international learning opportunities. Commissioned by the Irish National VET Team, the findings provide valuable evidence for the continued development of Erasmus+ VET mobility in Ireland. Read the report via the link in our bio. #TheGathering2026 #ErasmusVET by @leargas.ireland
Reflecting on this year’s Gathering, these words from European Commissioner Michael McGrath capture the value of our work: “Léargas continues to play a crucial role in building that shared understanding and that mutual learning of what it means to be European.” We were delighted to welcome the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, whose connection with Léargas began as a member of our Board from 2000 to 2007. He reflected on the importance of Erasmus+ and other EU funding initiatives in building a stronger, more connected Europe. #TheGathering2026 #ErasmusPlus #40YearsofLeargas by @leargas.ireland
“Values cannot be imposed, they cannot be taught, they cannot be preached... it's the experience, it's the exposure to the other that makes you ask certain questions and that leads to a clarification about what it means to be Irish, or Romanian, and at the same time, European.” Léargas welcomed European Commission Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu to The Gathering 2026. Executive Vice-President Mînzatu spoke about the value of Erasmus+ in promoting skills, improving competitiveness and contributing to a shared European identity. As Léargas marks four decades of connection across Ireland and Europe, it was great to hear her reflections on the enduring value of European cooperation, and the transformative opportunities Erasmus+ continues to provide for learners, educators, youth workers and volunteers across Ireland and beyond. #TheGathering2026 #40YearsOfLeargas #ErasmusPlus by @leargas.ireland
Two weeks later and we’re still feeling inspired by The Gathering! We were honoured to welcome European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, European Commissioner Michael McGrath and Director-General of the European Commission's DG for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, to our annual cross-sectoral event. An official event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this year’s Gathering brought together people from education, training, youth and sport to explore EU Values in Action and celebrate 40 years of Léargas. Our discussion with the Executive Vice-President and Commissioner explored how #ErasmusPlus brings European values to life through projects, partnerships and exchanges, creating opportunities for learners, educators, organisations and communities. Looking ahead, we discussed how collaboration across borders can help tackle shared challenges, strengthen democratic engagement and ensure European cooperation continues to make a difference in people’s lives. #TheGathering #40yerasofLeargas by @leargas.ireland
Léargas recently joined their PEACEPLUS ASPIRE partners, educators, policymakers, researchers, community representatives and young people at the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Symposium: Looking Out for Peace to explore the future of shared education and its wider societal impact. From expert research from Dr Laura Taylor and youth perspectives to roundtable discussions and practical workshops, the event created an opportunity for meaningful dialogue on the future of shared education and its role in strengthening relationships, supporting peacebuilding and building more cohesive and connected communities. Take a look at some highlights from the day! #PEACEPLUSASPIRE #SharedEducation @specialeuprogrammesbody @educationauthority @fermanaghtrust @education_ire @de_northern_ireland earlyyearsorganisation @nationalchildhoodnetwork by @leargas.ireland
Yesterday, we came together at The Gathering 2026 to celebrate 40 years of Léargas and the lasting impact Erasmus+ has had on people, organisations and communities across Ireland and Europe. We were honoured to welcome Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu and Commissioner Michael McGrath, whose contributions highlighted the important role of Erasmus+ in shaping Europe's future. We were delighted as well to have Director-General Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, of European Commission's DG for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, in attendance. The day also included a special performance from the Gaiety School of Acting, the launch of Ireland's National VET Team research report, and a live visual timeline created by graphic harvester Leah O'Donoghue, capturing Erasmus+ memories and milestones shared by attendees. Most of all, it was a chance to celebrate the people and organisations whose commitment to European programmes put EU values into action every day. As an official event of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, The Gathering provided an opportunity to showcase how European programmes create opportunities for people to learn, collaborate and grow, while strengthening inclusion, solidarity, and mutual understanding. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make The Gathering 2026 a memorable celebration of European cooperation and shared values. #TheGathering2026 #40YearsOfLeargas #ErasmusPlus #IrelandEU2026 #ErasmusDays by @leargas.ireland
Erasmus+ should be a right, not a privilege. It was a pleasure to join @leargas.ireland alongside Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu to celebrate 40 years of bringing European values to life! Europe’s competitiveness starts with investing in people: in their skills, creativity and ability to work together across borders. Erasmus+ helps us do just that. In 2024 alone, nearly 1.5 million learners, teachers, trainers and young people took part in Erasmus+. Every exchange builds skills, creates opportunities and strengthens connections between Europeans. That is why we have proposed a 50% increase in the Erasmus+ budget under the next EU long-term budget. More opportunities, fewer barriers, and no one left behind. by @leargas.ireland
Happy ErasmusDays 2026! We’re delighted to have Minister @jameslawlesstd of @dept_fheris launch the 10th annual ErasmusDays celebration. This week, across Ireland and Europe, thousands of people came together to showcase the impact of Erasmus+ in schools, colleges, training centres, youth organisations, community groups, and sports clubs. See what events are on in your are in the link in our bio! #ErasmusDays #40YearsofLeargas by @leargas.ireland
A week on from the Informal Meeting of Erasmus+ National Agency Directors and the Business Meeting of National Agencies for Youth, we're reflecting on a valuable week of engagement in Dublin. Bringing together colleagues from across Europe during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU, the meetings, held in collaboration with the Higher Education Authority, explored the future of Erasmus+ and its role in supporting skills, inclusion, democratic participation and international cooperation. We were delighted to welcome Dr Colm O'Reardon, Secretary General of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, who opened the meeting, and Djahanguir Talebzadeh, Head of Erasmus+ for All, European Commission, who joined us at his first National Agencies meeting in his new role. Dr Ciarán Dunne, DCU's first Director of Transversal Skills, delivered the keynote address, Transversal Skills in an Unscripted World, highlighting the importance of adaptability, critical thinking, communication and collaboration – competences that are central to Erasmus+ and the ambitions of the EU's Union of Skills agenda to equip people for a rapidly changing world. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the discussions, shared insights, as we to strengthen one of the European Union's most impactful programmes. #IrelandEU2026 #ErasmusPlus by @leargas.ireland
Léargas were delighted to support the @nyci.ie and @education_ire at the European Union Youth Conference in Dublin. This event brought together youth delegates, policymakers and youth organisations from across Europe to discuss and revise the EU Youth Goals. We were particularly pleased to welcome Minister @hildegardenaughton and European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, @glenn_micallef, to the conference. Throughout the 4-day event, young people had the opportunity to raise their voices and engage with the European Union as experts in their lived experience. One prominent theme that emerged from the conference was the importance of their insights not merely being heard, but enacted, as meaningful youth participation. We were particularly encouraged to see the contribution of Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps and DiscoverEU recognised in these conversations about meaningful youth participation. At this crucial time in budget negotiations, it's more important than ever to recognise the tangible impact that funding programmes like Erasmus+ have on young people's ability to learn, develop and collaborate as active European citizens. We look forward to continuing to support young people and youth organisations through European programmes in the future. #ErasmusPlus #40YearsofLeargas by @leargas.ireland

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