2024 marked the closeout of our 2021–2024 Strategic Plan – a period defined by expansion, innovation, and increased access to European opportunities.
Our Impact in Numbers
In 2024 alone, Léargas supported 375 projects, awarded nearly €29.7 million in funding, and reached more than 12,800 forecasted participants. Across our programmes, participation continued to grow in 2024. We saw increases across every sector, with particularly strong growth in Erasmus+ Key Action 1 mobilities between 2021 and 2024. School mobility projects rose by 186%, while Vocational Education mobilities increased by 247%.
These figures reflect the culmination of a strategic cycle marked by sustained growth: the number of contracted projects across Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps rose by 160% since 2021, funding awarded more than doubled, and participation increased by over 460%.
Increased Participation
This year’s work also demonstrated the breadth and depth of Léargas’ impact – from supporting transversal skills development in education, training, and youth work, to fostering democratic participation during the European Elections.
In April 2024, Léargas participated in European Youth Week (EYW), an initiative of the European Commission, held every 2 years to celebrate and promote youth participation in Europe. In 2024, the European Commission placed particular emphasis on youth engagement with the European Elections, encouraging young people to understand their role in shaping Europe’s future. A highlight of EYW 2024 was the selection of an Irish Erasmus+ project, ‘Participation for Social Rights’ by Youth Work Ireland Dundalk, for the European Commission’s Voice Your Vision showcase in Brussels.
Direct Contribution to National Priorities
Collaboration with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (former Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth) also resulted in International Youth Work being recognised for the first time in the new “Opportunities for Youth National Strategy for Youth Work 2024–2028”.
A major achievement in 2024 was the development of the Transversal Skills Toolkit, a practical resource created during a collaborative seminar in Athlone. Designed by practitioners, researchers, and experts, the Toolkit includes activities, reflective exercises, and assessment tools to help educators integrate transversal skills recognition into Erasmus+ mobility. Launched in December, it stands as a lasting outcome of Léargas’ VET Team’s work to enhance skill development and deepen the impact of mobility projects. Léargas also presented findings from the national report Erasmus+ VET Mobility as a Route to the Acquisition of Transversal Skills at the FET Colleges Ireland Conference, where the importance of these skills for education and employment was centre stage.
Download our 2024 Annual Report to read about our strategic priorities, key highlights and developments, governance and funding.