BE THE ARROW: ANSWER THE PRESIDENT'S CALL

Celebrate 40 Years of Gaisce with the Be The Arrow Challenge

This May, join us in celebrating 40 years of transforming young people's lives through Gaisce – The President's Award.

For 40 years as Ireland's National Youth Award, Gaisce has had a transformative impact on the personal development of young people in Ireland, instilling a sense of purpose, recognising achievement, fostering confidence and encouraging young people to reach their full potential. Since 1985, 520,000 young people have participated in the Award, and now you have the chance to get involved too. 

Inspired by President Michael D. Higgins' inaugural speech in 2011, where he urged young people to "be the arrow, not the target", Gaisce is calling on individuals, schools, workplaces, and communities to set a challenge, push themselves, and make a difference. 

Whether you're 8 or 80, The President is inviting you to take on a personal challenge that inspires you.  You can choose from:

  • A Volunteering Challenge – Give back to your community!
    Organise a clean-up, support a local charity, or share your time and skills to make a difference.
  • A Physical Challenge – Get moving!
    Walk, run, cycle, hike, swim, or set a personal fitness goal.
  • A Skills Challenge – Learn something new!
    From painting to public speaking, sign language to cooking, the possibilities are endless.

Do it once or every day in May –  It's your journey, your way!

Make an Impact While You Challenge Yourself
Take your Gaisce challenge to the next level by fundraising for the Gaisce SUAS Bursary Fund, which helps young people facing marginalisation or disadvantage to access the Gaisce Award. Every €100 raised helps one young person to participate in the Gaisce Award.

Find out more about the impact of the Gaisce SUAS Bursary Fund here.

Why Get Involved? 
Whether you achieved a Gaisce Award in the past, missed out on doing Gaisce before or simply want to challenge yourself, this is your chance to join in the celebrations 

What Do You Get?

Complete your challenge and receive a digital Gaisce Challenge Certificate from President Michael D. Higgins to mark your achievement. 

Raise €100 or more, and you’ll receive an exclusive Gaisce Be The Arrow t-shirt as a thank-you for your support!

be the arrow 40th anniversary cert

Challenge Ideas

  • Do 40 random acts of kindness in May
  • Volunteer at a local food bank, charity, or community project
  • Organise a beach, village, or park clean-up
  • Help an elderly neighbour with shopping or errands
  • Donate blood
  • Host a charity bake sale or coffee morning
  • Start a book donation drive for a school or library

  • Walk or run 40km in May (1km per year of Gaisce!)
  • Take on a daily 10,000-step challenge
  • Complete a virtual or real 5K/10K race
  • Try a new sport (boxing, sea swimming, rock climbing, etc.)
  • Do 40 days of yoga or stretching
  • Cycle to work or school for a month
  • Take on a 40-minute workout every day in May
  • Complete a hiking challenge (e.g., climb a local peak)
  • Train for and complete a charity run/walk
  • Take part in a team challenge (5-a-side football, relay marathon, etc.)

  • Learn a new language (challenge yourself to basic conversations)
  • Master a new recipe each week
  • Try a new instrument and play a full song by the end of May
  • Write a short story, blog, or poem
  • Take an online course in something you’ve always wanted to learn
  • Learn to juggle, do magic tricks, or another cool skill
  • Develop public speaking confidence (or record a video a day on social media)
  • Learn basic coding or website building or learn how to use an AI tool
  • Create a piece of art or photography every day (or one signature piece)
  • Start a daily journaling or gratitude practice

  • Learn a new language (challenge yourself to basic conversations)
  • Master a new recipe each week
  • Try a new instrument and play a full song by the end of May
  • Write a short story, blog, or poem
  • Take an online course in something you’ve always wanted to learn
  • Learn to juggle, do magic tricks, or another cool skill
  • Develop public speaking confidence (or record a video a day on social media)
  • Learn basic coding or website building or learn how to use an AI tool
  • Create a piece of art or photography every day (or one signature piece)
  • Start a daily journaling or gratitude practice

  • Set a class challenge (e.g., collective 1,000km walking goal)
  • Challenge students to write 40 thank-you notes to teachers & staff
  • Run a lunchtime skills swap (students teach each other new skills)
  • Organise a “kindness week” in school
  • Encourage students to read 40 books in May
  • Have a “Gaisce Talks” day where past awardees share their experiences
  • Host a student-led fundraising event for a local cause
  • Create a school-wide sustainability challenge (reduce waste, plant trees)
  • Introduce a mindfulness or relaxation challenge for students
  • Run a TikTok dance challenge in support of Gaisce

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  • Family Gratitude Jar – Write one thing you’re grateful for each day of May and read them together.
  • Create a Family Time Capsule – Gather meaningful items, write letters to your future selves, and bury or store them.
  • Swap screen time with outdoor time – Commit to 1 hour of outdoor activity together during every weekend in May.

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Gaisce SUAS Bursary Fund