Opportunity for Irish companies - European Responsible Leadership Network (ReLEAD) Programme

Corporate Social Responsibility: ReLead - European Responsible Leadership Network

Democracy doesn't only happen in parliament or at the ballot box, it happens in the everyday spaces where people work, collaborate, and make decisions together. Workplaces are some of the most important civic environments we have, and the skills that make for good democratic citizenship (dialogue, critical thinking, shared responsibility) are the same ones that make for effective, resilient teams. That's the premise behind ReLEAD.

ReLEAD is a free European online training programme launching its second cohort in September 2026, designed to strengthen responsible leadership in businesses. It's running across ten countries, and I'm recruiting Irish companies to take part in the next cohort with Trinity College Dublin.

The programme runs over 10 weeks (approximately 15 hours in total) and gives employees a structured opportunity to develop civic awareness, communication skills under pressure, sustainability literacy, and personal resilience. It combines self-paced online learning with live online workshops alongside participants from companies across Europe - a genuine peer-to-peer exchange that extends well beyond the typical training experience. Participation during working hours is encouraged, and there is no cost involved.

For employees, the practical benefit is real: better skills for navigating conflict, uncertainty, and change. But the broader purpose is just as important — helping people see their role in their organisation and their community as connected, not separate.

For companies, participation is also a meaningful expression of corporate social responsibility - a concrete way to invest in your employees' civic development and signal a genuine commitment to responsible leadership, beyond box-ticking. It connects you to a growing European network and comes with the ReLEAD Toolbox, a hands-on set of practical resources to use with your team beyond the programme itself.

To take part, a company needs to nominate a minimum of three employees with English language proficiency to commit to 15 hours over 10 weeks. I'd be very happy to talk through the programme in more detail, answer any questions, or share the supporting materials (brochure, FAQs, and full curriculum overview).

European Responsible Leadership Network (ReLEAD) | THE CIVICS Innovation Hub | pan-European NGO