Athlone's Londiwe announced as 'local champion' in youth council initiative
A young woman from Athlone has been announced as one of two 'Local Champions' for Longford-Westmeath as part of a National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) initiative.
Former Our Lady's Bower student Londiwe Ndlovu was selected to represent the local constituency along with Amelia Power from Longford.
This is Londiwe's second time being selected as a local champion for the area, after she was previously announced in the role in 2023.
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), which represents organisations working with young people nationwide, has launched its Local Champions initiative for 2025.
The NYCI, which represents organisations working with young people nationwide, said its local champions campaign aims to help secure increased investment in young people and youth work, locally and nationally.
"As part of the Local Champions project, a group of passionate and dedicated young people have been selected as representatives from their communities, tasked with meeting their local politicians and championing the cause of youth work," said Grace McManus, NYCI campaigns manager.
The two local champions in Longford-Westmeath are to engage with local TDs Peter Burke, Micheál Carrigy, Sorca Clarke, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran and Robert Troy.
Each of the local champions received training and support from NYCI to effectively convey the positive impact youth work has on their lives and the lives of young people in the local area, as well as the importance of investing in youth work.
NYCI is calling for an increased investment of €21 million in youth work in Budget 2026, to support services with increasing pressures, and ensure equal access to youth work for all young people nationwide.
In addition to engaging with politicians, the local champions initiative will include activities such as sharing personal stories, and using social media to raise awareness and mobilise support.
To learn more about the Local Champions Initiative and NYCI's efforts to advocate for increased investment in youth work, visit youth.ie