On Wednesday 28 January, The B!G Idea proudly unveiled its 2026–2028 Strategic Plan at Leinster House. Surrounded by policymakers, business leaders, educators and students, we shared an ambitious yet practical vision for Ireland’s future. Our mission is clear: no student should be left behind. Every young person deserves access to creative thinking skills, confidence-building experiences and meaningful industry connections.
The launch brought together leaders from across sectors to explore a critical question: How can inclusive youth development strengthen Ireland’s skills pipeline and unlock the potential of every student? Throughout the event, speakers emphasised that creativity is not an optional extra. Instead, it is foundational to innovation, employability and long-term economic resilience.
An outstanding panel discussion followed. Economist Jim Power, Dr Lindsay Malone (KCETB) and student Dara Coady joined moderator Paul Sweetman (TBI Board Member and AmCham ECO) to examine the programme’s impact. Together, they highlighted how The B!G Idea benefits both society and the economy while particularly supporting students who need it most.
Dara Coady, a past participant from Borris College, offered powerful testimony:
“Most careers these days require creativity and talking in front of people, so having these skills is very useful for any job.”
His words underscored the real-world value of mentoring, hands-on learning and structured creative development.
Founder and CEO Kim Mackenzie-Doyle reinforced the urgency behind the new strategy:
“Every young person deserves to develop creative thinking skills, but access is uneven. We risk overlooking potential not because talent is lacking, but because equitable support hasn’t been provided. This plan aims to change that.”
The Strategic Plan, therefore, focuses on expanding universal access while strengthening sustained support — particularly for students facing disadvantage.
Catherine Callaghan TD, who supported the event, connected the programme directly to Ireland’s evolving skills agenda:
“As we implement our national skills strategy and AI agenda, The B!G Idea’s model shows how universal participation, paired with sustained support, can turn potential into opportunity at scale.”
As Ireland accelerates its AI and innovation ambitions, transversal skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability and resilience are no longer optional — they are essential.
Since launching, The B!G Idea has reached more than 16,500 students, connecting classrooms with industry mentors through its bespoke EdTech platform. Looking ahead, the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan places creative thinking at the centre of Ireland’s future workforce development.
Specifically, it prioritises:
Ultimately, the plan ensures that opportunity depends on social capital and support — not background.
We believe Ireland’s future depends on unlocking the potential already present in our classrooms. To learn how you can support the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan and help bring this vision to life, contact hello@thebigidea.ie. Together, we can ensure every young person has the skills and confidence to shape Ireland’s future.
