30 Under 30
Representing Northern Ireland on the world stage
The 30 Under 30 Northern Ireland Climate Change-Makers programme is designed to unearth, inspire, and equip 30 leaders under the age of 30 who can play an instrumental part in shaping a better climate future for Northern Ireland and beyond.
Launched for the first time in 2022, it draws on the international EE 30 Under 30 initiative introduced by the North American Association for Environmental Education.
The programme is delivered by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Podiem, and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Pacem, Pinsent Masons and Danske Bank.
Watch 30 Under 30 in action!
The class of 2022/23
In its debut year, the programme received a strong level of interest, with over 100 applications created.
Following a competitive judging process, the first-ever 30 Under 30 Northern Ireland Climate Change-Makers are:
- Alix McDaid - Endangered Ireland
- Aoife de Bhal - RSPB
- Ashleigh Henry - PhD Student
- Callum Carville - Belfast IT
- Ciaran Ferrin - Ulster University
- Ciara Grogan - Graham Construction
- Dakota Reid - RSPB
- Emma Denton - Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful
- Emma McKeever - Greeting Relations
- Erin Galbraith - McCloy Consulting Ltd
- Gareth McClune - Barclays
- Harry Murphy - Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful
- Jacinta Hamley - Climate Craic
- James Rae - Solv
- Jordan Birt - Business in the Community
- Josh Armstrong - Responsible
- Moya Doogan - Environmental Éadaí
- Orlagh McNeill - Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful
- Rachel Vaughan - Queen’s University
- Ralph Lavery - Catagen
- Rebekah Bajko - Student
- Reece England - Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
- Robbie Jamison - East Belfast Enterprise
- Ross Blackbourne - Queen’s University (Student)
- Ross Portis - Westland Horticulture LTD/MR
- Ruairi Brogan - RSPB
- Sarah Walsh - Bread 41
- Sinead Murray - Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful
- Tom Cowderoy - Ulster University
- Una Barrett - Felix O’Hare
Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful sends congratulations to each of the class members on behalf of all partners and funders.
Read bios for the class of 2022/23
Developing world-class climate leaders
To gain the skills, knowledge and confidence of well-rounded climate champions for Northern Ireland, the 2022/23 class attended high-quality training from industry professionals in six carefully selected workshops:
- Workshop 1: Finance, Economy & Business - Friday 11 November 2022
- Workshop 2: Social Impact & Purpose - Friday 02 December 2022
- Workshop 3: Health, Wellbeing & Performance - Thursday 19 January 2023
- Workshop 4: Science, Build, Biodiversity and Ecology - Thursday 09 February 2023
- Workshop 5: Persuasion, Influencing and Communication - Friday 03 March 2023
- Workshop 6: Leadership - Thursday 30 March 2023
What the cohort said
"An extraordinary experience that has enriched my knowledge, expanded my network, and provided me with outstanding industry insights.” — Jordan Birt
"I will never forget the people I met through this.” — Reece England
"It was an honour to be part of the 30 Under 30 programme in 22/23. The programme included some top-quality guest speakers and it was great to get the opportunity to learn from them." — Ciara Grogan
“Would highly recommend it to any younger ambitious leader.” — Josh Armstrong