Every organisation has something that sets it apart. A unique strength. A reason to be proud.
At EIL Ireland, our superpower is creating opportunities that change lives, and then multiply that impact far beyond the individual participant.
Nowhere is this more evident than in our Explore programme, EIL Ireland’s flagship scholarship initiative.
Each year, Explore provides fully funded international learning opportunities to approximately 30 people across Ireland, supporting both young people and adults to travel abroad for intercultural learning, volunteering, language education and cultural immersion experiences. For many participants, it is an opportunity that would otherwise be out of reach. For all participants, it is an experience that leaves a lasting impact.
In 2025, 32 scholarship recipients were selected to take part in Explore, with 31 participants successfully completing their overseas experiences across 13 destinations worldwide. From Austria to Vietnam, Ghana to Japan, participants immersed themselves in new cultures, challenged their perspectives, developed new skills and built meaningful connections with communities around the globe.
But travel is only part of the story.
The true power of Explore lies in what happens next.
Throughout their placements, participants contributed more than 2,000 hours of voluntary service to projects focused on social justice, climate action, education, youth development and community wellbeing. These experiences encouraged participants to engage with some of the world’s most pressing challenges while developing the skills and confidence needed to become active global citizens.
Participant feedback consistently highlights growth in personal development, intercultural understanding, community engagement and global citizenship. They return home with greater confidence, stronger leadership skills and a deeper understanding of the interconnected world we share.
What makes us particularly proud is that the impact doesn’t end when participants return to Ireland.
Explore is intentionally designed to create a ripple effect. Through Action at Home projects, participants bring their learning back to their local communities, sharing experiences, raising awareness of global issues and inspiring others to take action. The result is that one scholarship can influence not just one individual, but schools, universities, workplaces, youth groups and communities across Ireland.
This ripple effect was evident across the country in 2025, with participants representing communities in Antrim, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Mayo and Wicklow, and coming from a wide range of educational backgrounds, including secondary schools, universities and alternative education settings.
A particular highlight of the year was the return of Explore participants to Africa for the first time since before the pandemic. Three participants travelled to Ghana, marking an important milestone in the programme’s continued growth and international reach. Working closely with our colleagues at AFS Ghana, we were delighted to provide meaningful intercultural learning opportunities while strengthening global partnerships that will help expand opportunities for future participants.
The values that underpin Explore extend beyond international mobility programmes. As Ireland becomes increasingly diverse, the need for intercultural understanding, inclusion and global awareness continues to grow. Through our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion workshops and intercultural learning initiatives, we are helping individuals and organisations build the skills needed to thrive in diverse communities and workplaces.
At its heart, Explore demonstrates something we have always believed at EIL Ireland: when people are given the opportunity to experience the world, they return with the knowledge, empathy and confidence to make a positive difference within it.
That is why Explore remains one of the things we are most proud of.
Because our superpower is not simply sending people abroad.
It is empowering people to become informed, engaged and active global citizens, and supporting them to bring that impact home.
