The Europe Direct Information Centre based in Central Library, Waterford City, is one of a network of local contact points that serve as the direct link between you and the EU Institutions. The Europe Direct Information Centre is a service which helps you find answers to your questions about the European Union. The centre offers information on all sorts of subjects related to the EU including your rights and opportunities as an EU citizen and how to take advantage of them. It can provide direct responses to general inquiries and, if you have more detailed questions, signpost you to the best source of information and advice at EU, national, regional and local levels. The Europe Direct initiative was launched in Ireland in 2005. The European Commission wanted to create a network of accessible, local information centres in all member states. The mission of the network is to distribute information and advice about the European Union’s policies, actively promote local and regional debate about the European Union, allow the European institutions to disseminate local and regional information and give the public the opportunity to send feedback to the European Union institutions.

---

Closing Date Reminder – Europe Direct Waterford Regional Soapbox Competition

  Please note the following important information regarding the Europe Direct Waterford Regional Soapbox Competition as we move closer to the closing date! • Closing Date for Applications: Monday, 6th October at 4:00pm. • Submission of Forms: Application forms, correctly completed, should be returned to: pryan@waterfordcouncil.ie katkins@waterfordcouncil.ie Or alternatively, to Central Library at centrallibrary@waterfordcouncil.ie • Competition Date & Venue: Thursday, 9th October at City Hall, The Mall, Waterford. Contestants must be seated by 9:45am • Contestants: All contestants will be contacted with a final email using the contact details supplied on the returned application form. • Under-16 Entrants: A parent or guardian (aged over 18) must sign the parental permission section and provide their contact details before returning the form. • Competition eligibility: Open to all ages! • Accessibility Notice: Please note there is no lift access in City Hall at present as the lift is out of order. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. • National Final: Monday, 1st December at The Royal College of Physicians, Kildare Street, Dublin. Winners in both categories from the regional final will be invited to present at the national final. We wish you the very best of luck with your applications and look forward to seeing your entries. If you’re not in you can’t win one of the amazing prizes!

---

Growing Microgreens at Home Workshop – Europe Direct in partnership with Walton Institute

Participants attended a vibrant and informative Growing Microgreens at Home workshop in Central library on the 10^th of September 2025. Facilitator Aileen Drohan of Walton Institute explored growing microgreens as part of the topic of climate transition – sustainable lifestyle and environmental awareness at community level. This workshop was supported by Europe Direct Waterford and Waterford Libraries, exploring the European Green Deal through empowering Climate Action at a local level.  

 

---

---

Entries Now Open for Europe Direct Soapbox Competition 2025

  Have your say at this year’s Regional Europe Direct Soapbox public speaking competition in Waterford. You could win an iPad or Samsung Tablet, sponsored by the European Commission Representation. Regional winners will go on to represent their region in the national competition in Dublin. Date and venue of the Europe Direct Regional Final: Thursday 9th October at 10am in the Dr Mary Strangman Large Room, City Hall, The Mall, Waterford. Please Note: Entrants are invited to deliver a three-minute speech for or against the topic: Likes, Lies and Legal Limits: “Is It Time the EU Banned Social Media for Under-16s?” • Contestants will compete in one of two categories: Ages 16 & under OR 17 & over (Limit of 6 entries per category for schools). • The winner of both categories will be announced on the day of the event and invited to attend the National final to compete for €1,000 One4All vouchers. Runner up prizes will also be presented on the day. • The date and venue for the National final in Dublin is currently under review. To Enter: • Download the Application Form & read the competition rules or call into any of our branches. Read your checklist before returning the application form. • Return your application form by email to both: pryan@waterfordcouncil.ie & katkins@waterfordcouncil.ie or in person to any of our library branches. • Application Forms sent by email will be issued with a confirmation of receipt email. Please contact Central Library on 051 849975 if you don’t receive confirmation. •Application forms can also be dropped into or posted to any branch of Waterford Libraries by closing date: 4 pm on Monday 6th October. We regret we can’t consider applications after that date. • Be sure to read through the Europe Direct Soapbox Competition Rules first! For more information contact the Europe Direct Centre at Central Library on 051 849975 Testimonial from Soapbox winner “The Soapbox was an absolutely wonderful experience, and I would do it again if I could. I had a wonderful time both from the competition and social aspect. I learned so much about both Irish and EU politics from the study I did for my speech. Just taking part was enough for me, but winning was a better feeling than I can ever describe! If you or someone you know is interested in public speaking or the world around you, I would highly recommend entering the soapbox competition.” The term soapbox originates in the use of an empty crate as a platform by speakers to give speeches, often impromptu, to passers-by from around the turn of the last century. The most famous location for soapbox oratory is Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, London, which has been a setting for public speaking since the 1870s.

---

 

---

 

---

---

---

---