About Us

Our History

Localise Youth Volunteering, formerly known as Peace Corps, was founded in 1972 in Ballyfermot, Dublin by Fr. John Wall and a group of young people. They had originally come together as a group of volunteers to build a youth centre and on its completion, they decided to continue in existence as an active caring group in the community. In a concerted attempt to harness the spirit of activism, coupled with the energy and enthusiasm of young people, Fr. Wall developed a formalised youth volunteering programme that has gone from strength to strength.

In 1997, our current Director Derek Cleary, responded to the changing nature of volunteerism and the demands of the informal and formal education sector, he developed the Localise programme.

5,110 young people participated in Localise Youth volunteering programmes in 2019, giving over 35,880 volunteer hours to important causes in their local communities.

Localise Youth Volunteering began as Peace Corps in Ballyfermot, when a group of young people helped build a community centre.

Responding to the changing nature of volunteerism and the demands from the formal education sector the organisation developed the Localise programme.

The first Secondary School programmes began.

We launched our Primary Schools programme.

The first Volunteering For All Awards were presented to schools that champion integration through volunteerism.

The development of the Localise Youth Volunteering virtual volunteering platform.

At Localise we believe that partnerships benefit our young people, the wider community and those in need. When working with others we can maximise our recourses, strengthen our impacts and create a more caring, cohesive society. In delivering our community service projects, Localise support and work in partnership with a wide variety of charities and community organisations.

Localise is led by a voluntary Board of Directors and committed to best practice as reflected in the Governance Code for Community, Voluntary and Charitable Organisations. As per the legal requirement of a company, the constitution of Localise comprises of a Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Localise is a member of the National Youth Council of Ireland and The Wheel.

Localise is a not for profit company limited by guarantee, having no share capital.

We are supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

CHY No: 20511 Registered Charity No: 20081393 Company Registered No: 511416

Chick here to view the LOCALISE ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Click here to view a copy of our audited 2019 accounts Localise Signed Audited Accounts 2019

Click here to view a copy of our audited 2020 accounts Localise Signed Audited Accounts 2020

Click here to view a copy of our audited 2021 accounts Localise Signed Audited Accounts 2021

All Localise adult volunteers and staff receive Child Protection training and Garda Vetting in compliance with current regulations and best practices.

Click to view our policies