Think Global Act Local programme by SERVE


Join like-minded people across Ireland to explore justice, solidarity, and the Global Goals.

About
Join us in a blended learning approach for Global Forums, guest speakers and workshops. Think Global Act Local programmes offers you the opportunity to volunteer virtually with our partners in the Global South and have continuous mentorship from experienced global justice advocates.
The last programme was held in 2022

A short message from our team
Quick Queries
Frequently asked questions
- The programme is open to all above 18 years of age.
- The participant must have a willingness to learn and engage with a group.
- The participant must commit to complete the seven-month programme. (Please see ‘Details of the Programme’ section below).
- The participant must commit to take part in a SERVE fundraiser during or at the end of this programme.
Participants are asked to pay a €25 registration fee upon acceptance of their place.
The fee covers:
- Training Costs
- Volunteer Support
- Insurance
- Refreshments (for in-person events)
If anyone has difficulty paying this fee but would still like to apply, please contact us.
Think Global, Act Local is delivered using participatory and inclusive methods. Much of the content covered will be shaped by the interests and contributions of the participants. The issues to be explored include,
- Poverty
- Quality Education
- Gender in Development
- Responsible Consumption and Sustainability
- Social Justice
- Volunteering
- Personal Development
- Values, Attitudes, and Language
The programme runs from April to October 2022 through a blended approach of virtual learning modules, interactive workshops, inspiring guest speakers, and micro-challenges to complete in your own time.
- The 2022 Programme is from April to October.
- The group will meet in the evenings and weekends with the option for a more significant commitment during Summer 2022.
- Participants will attend three online global forums (3 hours long each) between April and June. The group will discuss the themes of Solidarity, Justice and Partnership which are central to the history of SERVE.
- From July to August, participants will get the opportunity to volunteer virtually with our partners in Mazabuka, Zambia and with the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies in Hanoi, Vietnam.
- In September, participants will be encouraged to share the knowledge they have gained by carrying out a Community Action Project in their local communities.
- Participants will attend one reflection session in October where participants will discuss the next steps to continue your Global Citizenship journey.
- Participants will interact with their peers on a regular basis and perform individual and group challenges during this program. Participants will also enhance their knowledge by reading the specified materials, watching videos, and listening to podcasts.
- The programme is facilitated using a blended approach of virtual learning modules, interactive workshops, inspiring guest speakers, and micro-challenges to complete in their own time.
Here are just a few examples of optional tasks and challenges that we will offer throughout the programme:
- The Inequality Challenge – to identify and explore inequality in your own community.
- Learn to sew or repair clothes.
- The Local Food Challenge – to grow your own food or shop for locally produced food.
- An air-mile calculation for the food you eat over a week/ month.
Participants will work with mentors to determine their interests in order to be placed with one of our partners, such as the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) in Vietnam or the Assumption Parish in Mazabuka, Zambia. The placement will be based on our partner’s needs as well as the participant’s interests.
In both countries there will be a range of virtual volunteering including conversational English lessons and Life Skills Workshops*.
*If you have a particular skill that you think might be of use to the young people in our partner countries, please let us know.
All volunteers who participate fully in the entire programme of global learning days, volunteer placement, and debriefing will be awarded a certificate in recognition of their participation.
Details of the Programme
An overview of the 2022 Programme
- Three Global Forums (1 each month)
- Interactive workshops
- Visit SERVE’s Global Goals Trail in Blackrock, Cork
- Guest speakers from Ireland and the Global South
- Regular mentor group check-ins and meetings
- Tasks and challenges to be completed in your own time after each Global Forum
- Facilitation training for online volunteering activities
- Online volunteering with SERVE partners in Zambia and Vietnam
Share your knowledge of the Global Goals in the community by being an active Global Citizen through a Local Community Action Project.
What is involved in the Community Action Project?
This year for the ‘Act Local’ aspect of our programme, we are asking participants to carry out a Community Action Project within their local communities.
With support from their mentors, participants have the opportunity to decide what their Community Action Project will be.
This can include anything from a photo exhibition, a presentation in your past primary school or doing some volunteer work with an organisation or any other idea that you may have to ‘Act Local’.
This action project can be done individually and, where applicable, in groups.
- Reflection session
- Discussion on the next steps to take to continue your Global Citizenship journey

Sinead’s Think Global Act Local Reflection
SERVE Programmes Intern Sinad Mulry reflecting on her time so far with SERVE’s Think Global Act Local programme.

TGAL Reflection from Constantin Becker
SERVE volunteer Constantin Becker reflecting on his time so far with SERVE’s Think Global Act Local programme.