Andrea Carroll, an advocate from Ireland, helped to promote Challenge Europe to new audiences at two events in Dublin last week. The first was a breakfast briefing, attended by representatives from the media, political parties, student bodies and NGOs. During the briefing, Andrea talked about her group’s achievements to date (Ecopreneurs Ireland) and explained how her participation in Challenge Europe has impacted her ambitions and work – ‘I have participated in forums before where some of the brightest ideas just get left behind as there is no opportunity to implement them. Challenge Europe, on the other hand, offers the opportunity to realise these ideas and make a real difference. I would recommend anyone with an interest in climate change issues to take part in this programme since it is a great opportunity to get involved in the debate and work with people from across Europe to make a tangible difference’. The briefing also provided an opportunity for Matt Burney, Director British Council Ireland, to discuss the Council’s climate change work and the many opportunities and benefits of getting involved in programmes such as Challenge Europe. The second event was a very lively affair held in Messrs Maguire, a quaint Irish pub on the banks of the river Liffey. On this occasion, British Council Ireland joined forces with Leafliving.com, managers of the Green Drinks initiative which has a network of approximately 1000 members in Dublin. Andrea, joined by two other advocates, Laura from Belfast and Tracy from Galway, spoke again about her involvement in Challenge Europe, and more specifically about her group’s individual project, ‘Ecopreneurs Ireland’, which aims to encourage entrepreneurship in low carbon enterprises in Ireland and across Europe.

Both events were highly enjoyable and informative and lots of interesting conversations were had by all! More importantly, many people now know at least a little bit more about Challenge Europe and the work of the British Council and lots of new networks have been created across Ireland.

Further information on Green Drinks, which takes place once a month in 448 cities around the globe, may be found here.