Last chance for students in Dublin to enter national speech writing competition

ActionAid Ireland is inviting students in Dublin to apply for ActionTalks national speech writing competition, with the final deadline coming up on Friday 16th January 2026.

Now in its 12th year, this year the competition focuses on themes of climate change, education, and women’s rights.

Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland said: “This is a great opportunity for students to practice their research skills, learn how to present information creatively and to use their own initiative and innovation. Students in Dublin still have a chance to take part before the final deadline of Friday 16th January.”

To take part in the ActionTalks competition, students are invited to write a 600 to 800 words speech on one of the following topics:

1. Fossil Fuel Free Future: What does a fair, fossil fuel-free future look like and what actions can we take to get there?
2. Education in driving equality: If we want a fairer, stronger, and more equal world, we must start with education. And we must start with girls. Discuss.
3. Women’s rights organisations and ending violence: If we want a world where women and girls are safe, equal, and free, we must support the women’s rights organisations already working to make that world a reality. Discuss.

Entries to the competition can be submitted to ActionAid Ireland by email in written form and fifteen successful entrants will go forward to the regional final, with six regional winners winning a €50 voucher each. At the national final in March, the six finalists will be asked to present their speech to a panel of esteemed judges. The national prize is a €500 voucher for the winner and a €100 voucher for their teacher.

The ActionTalks competition is a part of ActionAid’s Global Citizenship Education programme funded by Irish Aid. ActionAid’s work focuses on supporting the hardest-to-reach women and girls around the world. Through its Women’s Rights Programme, also funded by Irish Aid, ActionAid partners with communities in Kenya, Ethiopia and Nepal to eliminate violence against women and girls.

To enter, students can ask their teacher for details or visit https://actionaid.ie/speech-writing-competition/