The Minister is calling on young people up to the age of 24 years to get creative and submit an original design to be considered for use on the public recognition marker.  
 
The mission of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy is to ensure that all LGBTI+ young people are visible, valued and included so designs should take this as their inspiration. The submissions will be assessed by a selection committee and the winning design will be widely displayed in organisations and services throughout Ireland. A prize will also be awarded to the winner by Minister Zappone and honorary mentions will be given to other designs in select categories. 
 
To achieve the mission of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy, a number of goals, objectives and actions have been outlined to ensure that a cross-governmental approach is undertaken to put additional measures in place to further enhance the lives of LGBTI+ young people. The design of a public recognition marker is one of the actions under Goal 1 of the Strategy, which is to "Create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for LGBTI+ young people". The realisation of this Goal will see the continued improvement of safe, supportive and inclusive spaces for LGBTI+ young people in all walks of life so that they feel widely supported and have the confidence to be themselves and actively participate in all aspects of society without fear of harassment and discrimination.  
 
The deadline for submissions of art work is Monday 14th January 2019.  For further details of the competition and information on how to enter, please click here
 
Notes

The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy was published on 29th June 2018 and is a world first. It is a key commitment for DCYA as part of the 2016 Programme for Partnership Government and will make a significant contribution towards the Government's broader commitment to continue to strive for the full inclusion of LGBTI+ people in Irish society. It is a three year Strategy that is strongly action oriented with the mission to ensure all LGBTI+ young people are visible, valued and included. 
 
A number of significant changes have taken place in Ireland in recent decades which have resulted in substantial progress and improved outcomes for LGBTI+ people. The Strategy seeks to put measures in place to address some of the remaining challenges faced by LGBTI+ young people, so as to ensure that they can achieve the same positive outcomes as all other young people.  The Strategy and its future governance lie within the framework of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The Policy Framework for Children and Young People and as such will contribute to achievement of the five national outcomes for children and young people: 
 

1. Active and healthy, with positive physical and mental wellbeing
2. Achieving their full potential in all areas of learning and development
3. Safe and protected from harm
4. Economic security and opportunity
5. Connected, respected and contributing to their world. 

 
The expected outcomes from the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy will be to: - 

• improve environments and services for LGBTI+ young people
• support better training for professionals engaging with LGBTI+ young people
• enforce anti-bullying policies and address anti-LGBTI+ discrimination
• address the health and wellbeing of LGBTI+ young people and
• expand legislation to include and protect LGBTI+ young people, generate information and insight into the needs of LGBTI+ young people.