We teamed up with The Graduate.ie to sponsor 2 students from the Southern Region of Ireland to win a trip to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. In December 2025 the winners from the 2024 – 2025 competition went on their 3-day visit, during which they took part in a youth parliament (Euroscola) with students from across EU member states, had an opportunity to meet Irish MEPs and visited other places of educational interest.
Euroscola offers an immersive experience in the Chamber of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, allowing secondary school students to experience European parliamentary democracy. Students debate, negotiate, amend, vote and adopt resolutions on current European issues, just like the MEPs.
Since the launch of the project in 1990, hundreds of thousands of students have spent one day in the premises of the European Parliament, debating, discussing and exchanging views with colleagues in the form of a multilingual European Youth Parliament.
In 2026 we will continue our cooperation with the Gradute.ie and support 2 more students from the Southern Region of Ireland to experience the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Extract from Report on Euroscola Trip to Strasbourg by MJ Finn, Year 4, Presentation College, Carlow, Co Carlow
Dates: 3rd–5th December
Destination: Strasbourg, France
Programme: Euroscola – European Parliament
Sponsors: Southern Regional Assembly and Financial Services & Pensions Ombudsman
From the 3rd to the 5th of December, we participated in an educational trip to Strasbourg as part of the Euroscola programme at the European Parliament. This trip provided an invaluable opportunity to experience European democracy in action while also engaging in cultural and educational activities across France and Germany. The trip was extremely well organised and delivered significant educational, social and cultural benefits, strongly justifying continued funding for similar programmes in the future.
Over the course of the three days, we made several educational and cultural stops, including visits to traditional Christmas markets and a guided visit to Heidelberg Castle in Germany. These experiences provided valuable historical and cultural context and enriched the overall learning experience beyond the classroom.
The main focus of the trip was our participation in the Euroscola session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This was the highlight of the trip and offered a rare opportunity to experience the workings of the European Union from inside one of its most important institutions. We took part in a full parliamentary-style programme, including a session in the Hemicycle, where we engaged in debates on a wide range of contemporary European issues. These debates covered multiple topics affecting young people and EU citizens, encouraging us to think critically, articulate our views clearly and consider perspectives from across Europe.
In addition to the Hemicycle session, we also participated in a meeting via Zoom with representatives connected to the European Parliament. This session allowed us to ask questions and gain insight into how the Parliament operates on a daily basis, as well as the roles and responsibilities involved in EU decision-making. The opportunity to interact directly, even virtually, with those connected to European institutions made the experience more engaging and meaningful.
A significant aspect of the Euroscola programme was the chance to meet and interact with students from other European countries. Throughout the day, we worked and socialised with young people from a wide range of cultural and national backgrounds. This helped to develop our communication skills, broaden our understanding of European identity, and highlight both the differences and shared values between countries. The social aspect of the programme was as valuable as the academic element, as it promoted cooperation, respect and openness.
Outside of the structured programme, we were also given free time in Strasbourg, allowing us to explore the city, experience its culture, and reflect on what we had learned. Strasbourg itself, as a city closely associated with European unity, provided a fitting backdrop for the experience.
Overall, the trip was an exceptional educational experience. It deepened our understanding of European democracy, enhanced our confidence in debate and discussion, and fostered greater cultural awareness. The combination of structured learning, cultural exploration and international interaction made the trip both educational and memorable.
