Monday, 9 March 2026
Donegal is fostering the next generation of business leaders through the Foróige Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), an international youth entrepreneurship programme managed by Foróige in Ireland. The programme equips young people across the country with the skills, confidence and experience needed to thrive in entrepreneurship.
Young people work on businesses in a choice of three categories; business, innovation or social enterprise. They create viable businesses, produce detailed business plans and pitch their business ideas to panels of judges all over County Donegal in March each year.
Since its inception, NFTE has expanded globally, reaching over a million young people across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and beyond. The programme teaches entrepreneurship through hands-on learning, mentorship, and business competitions, equipping students with financial literacy, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
The programme has been successfully implemented in primarily ETB and DEIS schools, youthreach centres and Foróige youth projects, including in Donegal, where it plays a key role in fostering a culture of entrepreneurship among young people. NFTE connects students with local business leaders, providing mentorship and opportunities to develop real-world business ideas.
NFTE introduces young people to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship - idea generation, business planning, financial literacy, and pitching. Through interactive learning, mentorship, and real-world business challenges, young participants develop skills that extend beyond the classroom.
“NFTE is more than just a programme - it’s a launchpad for young entrepreneurs from a wide range of backgrounds across the Country. The programme enables young people to gain the transferable skills they need to create a viable business for example the creation of a business plan, identifying a gap in the market and links with business mentors relevant to their chosen category (business, innovation or social enterprise)!.
Entrepreneurship education isn’t just about starting a business; it’s about fostering creativity, resilience, innovation, and problem-solving."
The skills obtained by the participants will benefit young people in any career path. The Foróige NFTE programme in Donegal could not happen without our wonderful guest judges and the support from our venues each year (Co-Lab, Inishowen Innovation Centre and DLDC.
Also the exceptional NFTE trained teachers and youth workers who facilitate this programme to such a high standard each year.
The young entrepreneurs are always the stars of the show and each year I feel very lucky to get to see so many young entrepreneurs across the County overcoming challenges while showcasing outstanding busInesses” said Jane McLean, NFTE Programme Officer at Foróige.
One of NFTE Donegal’s key strengths is its networking aspect. The programme connects students with local business leaders and mentors who provide guidance and insights into what goes into the development and running of a successful business.
These connections help bridge the gap between education and real-world business experience, ensuring that Donegal’s young entrepreneurs are prepared for the challenges of the future marketplace.
Several past participants have transformed their NFTE projects into real businesses, ranging from handmade crafts to tech startups. Their success highlights the potential of entrepreneurship education to create future job opportunities and boost the local economy.
By fostering entrepreneurship at a young age, NFTE Donegal is contributing to a culture of innovation, creativity, and self-employment in the county. This initiative aligns with broader economic development strategies, ensuring that Donegal remains a vibrant hub for business and creativity.
NFTE Donegal continues to grow, with increasing involvement from educators, businesses, and community leaders. By nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, the programme is helping to build a stronger, more innovative local economy.
NFTE Youth Entrepreneurship Regional Finals will begin on the 11th March. Young people will pitch the business ideas they have been working on since Sept 2025 to a panel of Guest Judges in a dragons den style competition. There will be 7 Donegal NFTE Regional Competitions around the County in our three categories.
The Business Category and Innovation Category competitions will take place in the Co-Lab, ATU, Letterkenny and in the Inishowen Innovation Centre, Buncrana.
The Social Enterprise Category Competitions will take place in the DLDC Social Enterprise HUB in Letterkenny.
ETB and DEIS Schools from all over Donegal are involved in the Programme each year.
We have fabulous Guest Judges who support us each year.
Foróige NFTE Guest Judges 2026:
