Twenty-one schools represented at Donegal Youth Council 2025 AGM

The Donegal Youth Council held its Annual General Meeting at the Clanree Hotel - the event marked the midway point in the current two-year term for the Donegal Youth Council.

Last year, the young people of Donegal voted to focus on three key areas: Vaping, School/Exam Stress, and Bullying. This year, 131 young people from 21 schools around Donegal have discussed these topics and what changes they wish to see implemented in these areas.

READ NEXT: Project secures Letterkenny students a place at 2025 SciFest National Finals

The day also featured information stands from various agencies and organisations within the county, providing opportunities for young people to connect with valuable services and resources.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Paul Canning, opened the event, stating: "Today’s AGM is a celebration of youth voice in Donegal. Since its establishment in 2002, the Youth Council has been a powerful platform for young people to influence decisions and shape our communities. 

“We are proud of the incredible commitment shown by our youth councillors, who work tirelessly to ensure the issues that matter most, like mental health, bullying and exam stress, are heard and acted upon. We are proud of your dedication and the positive impact you are making every day."

The event was hosted by Youth Council Mayor Cassie Lambe and Deputy Mayor Breegeen Boner.

Following the event, Youth Councillor Cassie Lambe had the following to say: "The AGM is a pivotal time on the Donegal Youth Council calendar. It is a time for us as a youth council to reflect all that we have done in the past year. It is exciting to see the conference getting bigger and better each year, like so today. The AGM gives young people a chance to speak about issues that are important to them and we will work on them for the year."

Deputy Mayor Breegeen Boner followed this up: “Our AGM focuses on the opinions of young people on topics that affect young people in their day-to-day lives. It is an opportunity to find out what support is out there and to most importantly, feel as though your voice is being heard. It is also an opportunity to meet new people who share your thoughts and to hear different views that you may never have considered before.”

Michael McDevitt, Coordinator of the Donegal Youth Council, also expressed his delight with the event: “The members of the Donegal Youth Council have worked very hard over the last few months and it was great for them to show off their incredible work. It was also great to have so many young people from all corners of Donegal discussing these issues (vaping, School/Exam Stress and Bullying) and telling decision makers what needs to change and giving ideas on how to do it.”

During the AGM, the Donegal Youth Council officially launched two new resources:

Short videos surrounding the topic of vaping: These focused on the financial side, mental health impact, and ingredients within vapes.

“The Study and College Toolkit": Created by the members to support young people through the processes of study and college choice. Members hope this resource will reduce young people's stress around exams and college by signposting them to the information they need.

The members of the Donegal Youth Council are committed to continuing their work on these topics, but also ensuring the voice of young people of Donegal is being heard.