Skip to main content
Photo of the 2024-2025 Concern Debates Champions Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ from Co. LimerickPhoto of the 2024-2025 Concern Debates Champions Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ from Co. LimerickPhoto of the 2024-2025 Concern Debates Champions Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ from Co. Limerick

Programme Stages

Programme Stages

The Concern Debates programme runs for several months and is completed over a number of stages. Every year, more than 150 schools take part in our programme which gives students the opportunity to research, explore and then debate some of the defining issues of today. 

  • From September - December, the League Phase will take place. Each school will have three debates which will take place online.
  • In January, the top 64 schools will progress to the Knockout Stages of the programme. The Knockout Stages will continue online.
  • In March, the Quarter Finals will take place. These will be held in-person in mid-way venues arranged by the Concern Debates team.
  • The Semi-Finals will take place in-person in Dublin in April 2026.
  • The Final will take place in the Helix, Dublin on the 7th of May 2026.

We will also have in-person workshops at the end of the League Phase. This will give students a chance to further explore some of the issues they have debated and meet other debaters from different schools. These will take place in several locations around the country. 

End of League Phase Workshops

26th February – DUBLIN 

11th March – KILKENNY  

12th March – LIMERICK 

21st April – ATHLONE 

23rd April – L/DERRY 

24th April – BELFAST 

Concern Staff Christina at the Concern Debate Finals. Photo: Ruth Medjber / Concern Worldwide.

Join the conversation online

  • For updates on upcoming events

  • To discuss issues of interest

  • To share information and resources

Join the Project Us Facebook group
Share your concern
Share