The Foundation is delighted to be Challenge Partners with Gaisce – The President’s Award since 2018 where students can combine their Flag Day activities enabling them to earn their Gaisce Bronze Award.

“At Gaisce – The President’s Award we share the same value of inclusion and equality that Thomas F. Meagher intended when he first flew, what was to become the Irish National Flag, in his native city at the Wolf Tone Club, Waterford. Our vision is an Ireland where every young person, no matter their circumstances, ethnicity, creed or gender, has equal access to participate and take on the President’s Challenge to dream big and fulfil their potential”.

Gaisce or ‘Great Achievement’ is a self – development programme for young people between the ages of 14-25 and has been in existence since 1985.

The Awards initially flourished under the patronage of former president Patrick J. Hillary and to date have been carried by incoming President’s. Over 300,000 young people have participated in the Gaisce Programme. At Gaisce our main aim is to ensure we have a programme which fits the needs of every young person who wishes to participate in the Gaisce programme and to give each participant the best possible opportunity to do so. We believe in the ability and resilience of young people and through the Gaisce programme we want them to nurture that ability and to realise their full potential.

The Foundation has devised a Sample 13 step plan using Flag Day activities towards achieving the Gaisce Bronze Award.