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About the programme
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 2027.
- The Final will take place in the Helix, Dublin on the 6th of May 2027.
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.
Get started 
Student Training Day Workshops
17th September – DUBLIN
23rd September – KILKENNY
24th September – LIMERICK
25th September – ATHLONE
29th September - ONLINE
7th October – L/DERRY
8th October – BELFAST
Other ways to help
Corporate support
Is your company interested in working together for a common cause?
Fundraise for Concern
From mountain trekking to marathon running, cake sales to table quizzes, there are lots of ways you can support our work.
Buy a gift
With an extensive range of alternative gifts, we have something to suit everybody.
Leave a gift in your will
Leave the world a better place with a life-changing legacy.
Volunteer with Concern
The lots of ways to get involved with our work as a volunteer
School fundraising
Without the generous support from schools, we wouldn't be able to do the work that we do.