Europe Direct Letterkenny Soapbox

Public Speaking Competition 

The EU Wants to know “Is Europe listening to its young people”? 

Do you have a strong opinion on youth issues, education opportunities, employment, travel, global warming, sustainability, gender equality, or animal welfare? Whatever the topic, it might be a fit for this year’s EU Direct Letterkenny Soapbox Competition which is now open for entries. 

The theme of this year’s public speaking competition is: Is Europe listening to its young people?

The Soapbox public speaking competition is now in its 11^th year. This years competition will be held online  and all pre recorded speeches will be assessed by a panel of independent judges and equal marks awarded for content, delivery, structure and overall impact.

Fiona Truelove, Senior Library Assistant, Central Library, Letterkenny says that the event provides a great platform for hobbyist public speakers, those seeking to improve their confidence or those with a passion for a particular topic.

“Since 2011 we have had hundreds of entries from people of all ages and we want to encourage local people from across the county to enter Soapbox 2022. There is so much that young people want to discuss and this is their opportunity”. So we are calling schools, speech and drama groups, Toastmasters, businesses, community groups, representative organisations, individuals with a passion, and other organisations. It really is open to anyone who wants to give voice to a topic they care deeply about and that fits into our theme.”

How to submit an entry 

Contestants can compete in one of two categories: 1) 16 and under; 2) 17 and over. A regional winner from each category will be selected to go forward to the national final in December.

If you would like to take part in Soapbox 2022 please email [email protected] for an application form.  

Once you have sent in your form you are advised to record your three-minute video on a smartphone, iPad or on your desktop computer and upload it to the following share file https://donegalcountycouncil.sharefile.eu/r-raf9471f0fc2743a2b05fabbb9aef471c 

Entries for this year’s Soapbox competition close on Friday 18^th November. 

All video entries will be shown on the EUROPE DIRECT Facebook page and the winners will be announced later in November. There are great prizes on offer for the winners.

A panel of judges will review the regional winning entries in advance of the national final which will take place on Wednesday 7th December 2022.