The B!G Idea Launches Ambitious Plan to Give Every Young Person the Skills and Opportunities to Shape Ireland’s Future

The B!G Idea launched its 2026-2028 Strategic Plan at Leinster House yesterday, unveiling plans to ensure every young person, including those most often left behind, gain the creative thinking skills, confidence and connections they need to shape Ireland’s future.

The event, supported by Catherine Callaghan TD, brought together business leaders, policymakers, educators and students to address Ireland’s skills challenges through inclusive youth development. Economist Jim Power delivered remarks on the economic imperative of early skills investment, whilst Dr Lindsay Malone highlighted the confidence gap facing students in under-resourced schools.

Student Dara Coady, a B!G Idea past participant from Borris College, shared with participants how The B!G Idea transformed his confidence and belief in his own capabilities, telling the audience about discovering what he was capable of through the programme’s mentoring and hands-on approach. He stated that: “Most careers these days require creativity and talking in front of people, so having these skills is very useful for any job.”

Commenting at the launch, Kim Mackenzie-Doyle, Founder & CEO of The B!G Idea, said: “Every young person deserves to develop creative thinking skills, but right now, access to sustained support and vital networks is uneven. Under-resourced schools, families and students get the fewest opportunities to build these future-ready skills and connections. We’re overlooking a generation full of potential not because they lack talent, but because we haven’t provided equitable support to help them unlock it.”

Catherine Callaghan TD, who supported the event, commented: “As we implement our national skills strategy and AI agenda, giving every young person access to creative thinking has never been more critical. The B!G Idea’s model of universal participation with sustained support for those who need it most demonstrates how we can build an inclusive, future-ready society and workforce. This is how we turn potential into opportunity at scale.”

Economist Jim Power addressed the economic imperative of inclusive skills development, stating: “In an era of AI and rapid technological change, Ireland’s unique selling point will be our human capability, our ability to think creatively, solve complex problems, and adapt. Early, inclusive investment isn’t just socially responsible; it delivers better economic returns. We can’t afford to overlook any young person’s potential when our future prosperity depends on it.”

Since 2011, The B!G Idea has worked with over 16,500 students across the island of Ireland, with a focus on delivering equitable and increased access for DEIS schools, Youthreach programmes and LCA settings. The organisation connects classrooms with industry mentors through its EdTech platform, ensuring every student participates with no selection criteria or opt-in confidence required.

The strategic plan positions creative thinking skills – problem-solving, adaptability, collaboration and resilience – as essential to Ireland’s competitive edge in an era of AI disruption and rapid change. It outlines a progressive national model where every young person develops foundational creative thinking skills, with equitable, sustained pathways for those who need or want more to progress into deeper mentoring and real-world opportunity. The aim: to ensure social capital, not background, determines who gets seen and supported.

Further information on The B!G Idea is available at: www.thebigidea.ie.