As we start 2026 rested and full of vigour and motivation for all that we have to do in the coming year, we’ve been reflecting on what we’ve achieved. 2025 was a tough year for many of us. But looking back, it’s astounding what we achieved together. None of this incredible work, and I mean none, would have been possible without Uplift’s 260,000 members.
⚖️ We’re going to court to stop Israeli war planes using our airspace
We’ve started a groundbreaking legal case to stop this government from allowing weapons flights and military‑related trade with Israel. Uplift members have made this happen, and together we’re refusing to stand on the sidelines while this government is complicit with genocide. [1]
We didn’t stop there. Together we pushed hard to get this government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill; set up a legal fighting fund; teamed up with 7amleh, the Palestinian Digital Rights group, to put the spotlight on how Big Tech is directly involved in Gaza; and showed how banking corporations are also helping the Israeli Defence Fund. Uplift members in our droves got involved in boycotting TEVA Pharmaceuticals, the largest company in Israel and who are actively supporting the genocide. [2]
🏡 We all deserve a home
In 2025 we kept the spotlight on turning empty houses into homes. We commissioned a member-funded poll which found that over 90 % of us want empty houses to be turned into homes. And Uplift members piled pressure on our local councils to get behind TDs to prioritise empty homes in the new programme for government. We even heard from one government minister who said, during the election campaign, that he was being asked about empty homes on doorsteps everywhere. Now we’re turning our attention to the huge spike in evictions. Check out our Evictions Map, where we’ve been gathering stories from people across Ireland. [3]
✉️ Peace & The Triple Lock
In Ireland, we are proud of our neutrality. We know that it makes us stronger, not weaker. And we know that our future must be shaped by cooperation, safety, and peace, and not by following others into wars for profit. That’s why, together, we’ve worked hard this year to stop this government from dismantling the Triple Lock, the safeguard that keeps our neutrality intact.
We launched The Neutrality Files, where members can keep up to date on everything that’s happening. [4] It’s where you can read about the former Irish soldiers and peacekeepers’ Open Letter, ground-breaking research showing the influence of US foreign policy on this government, and independent public opinion poll results that show that most people in Ireland back neutrality. Thousands of Uplift members signed petitions, made videos about why neutrality is important, emailed and called their TDs, and chipped in for research.
🤗 Mental Health support we deserve and need
We all need to feel supported with our mental health. But too many of us are left to struggle on our own. Uplift members created a powerful submission to the Mental Health Commission, laying out the harsh reality of ordinary young people and their families seeking mental health care in Ireland today. [5]
Together, we have painted a stark and heartbreaking picture of a broken system and lifted up what needs to change: 24/7 emergency support available in our communities, cutting waiting lists, providing specialised support for neurodivergent people, and training and recruiting more staff.
🌐 People vs Big Tech
Powerful tech corporations are deciding what we see online, and toxic algorithms keep us hooked online for longer and make it hard to know what’s true or false. With our People’s Inquiry on Big Tech Harms we made sure politicians know that what’s needed is brave political leadership capable of reining in Big Tech executives, and enforcing laws that ensure a safer, healthier internet. [6]
In July, we took to the streets of Newcastlewest, Patrick O’Donovan’s hometown, after he refused to meet with us, and in October, we briefed TDs in Leinster House.
When we heard that EU Commissioner Michael McGrath was refusing to turn off toxic algorithm recommender systems in the new European Democracy Shield. we made sure everyone in his hometown of Carrigaline in Cork was talking about it. [7]
📱BREAKING: In 2025 Uplift members helped make a formal complaint about TikTok not taking complaints seriously to Coimisún na Meán, which is responsible for regulating social media platforms in Ireland. A few weeks ago we heard that they are taking our complaint seriously so stay tuned.
🦊 We love foxes: Ban hunting
Our countryside should be a place where all creatures can thrive, not a playground for a tiny group of elitist fox hunters who insist on being allowed to chase down vulnerable animals for sport. Uplift members proudly stood up for foxes — with more than 30,000 people signing a petition, sharing heartwarming photos and stories, chipping in for an independent public opinion poll, and piling the pressure on politicians. Even though the vote to ban fox hunting didn’t pass, because some parties stopped their TDs siding with us, let’s be clear, it’s only a matter of time now before we win. [8]
🏭 Stopping LNG and fracking
Fracked gas is toxic, whether it’s fracked here or someplace else. Despite people power stopping fracking in Ireland, a fossil fuel corporation wants to build an LNG (liquified natural gas) terminal in the beautiful Shannon Estuary.
Together we’ve sent powerful objections to An Bord Pleanála, made sure politicians in Kerry, Clare, and Limerick know how strongly we feel, paid for research exposing the true cost of the Shannon LNG terminal, and after a fossil‑fuel CEO admitted he wouldn’t live near a LNG terminal himself, we demanded an independent safety review from Kerry County Council. Now we are waiting for experts to design powerful messaging that will help persuade even more people to get involved.
🌦️ Solar Citizens
The ground-work has been done and soon we’ll launch Solar Citizens; a brand new movement of regular people and businesses coming together to campaign for better energy in Ireland. Right now, big energy corporations rake in millions, while everyday families and households struggle to pay their energy bills – some of the highest in Europe. So together, we’re building momentum for a better energy system in Ireland; one where everyone can enjoy the benefits of cheap, clean energy from the sun. Check out some of the Solar Citizens stories, like Jacob, who installed solar panels in his new house, renowned West Cork pub Hacketts, who have gone solar, and Kevin who runs his glazing company off solar power. [9]
🌱 People‑powered forests & wildlife
In March, we planted our fourth people-powered forest in Feakle, Co. Clare, with trees donated by our generous friends at Future Forests, and sponsored by hundreds of members. In 2026, we’ll plant our fifth forest in another location in Ireland — you can sponsor your tree here. [10]
Again, last Spring, hundreds of us planted beautiful wildflower seeds to feed our bees in the spring and we pledged not to mow our lawns in May, using bright stickers to encourage our neighbours to do the same.
🩷 Love Not Hate
Most of us care about each other, no matter who we are, where we came from, or who we love. So, this year we rallied together whenever we could to be louder than the minority of hateful extremists and to show our love and care for each other. Our community knows that when mainstream political leaders pander to the far-right, they make them seem stronger and more popular than they are and make us all less safe in the process.
Last year we made sure the Minister for Justice knew that people across Ireland want people seeking asylum to have a roof over their heads, especially during storms and weather warnings and we campaigned to stop families being torn apart by deportation or unfair family reunion rules
🏆 Uplift members have been winning campaigns
All across Ireland, we got behind Uplift members who are running their own successful campaigns in their local communities and beyond:
- Free HRT – Louse’s petition pushed the government to keep its Budget 2025 promise, and the state has now rolled out free hormone‑replacement therapy for those who need it.
- Camogie shorts – A petition that gathered 6,684 signatures helped force the Camogie Association to change its rule, allowing players the choice to wear shorts instead of the mandatory skort.
- Bereaved Partners Pension – A campaign begun by a bereaved partner, who went on to take a case to the Supreme Court, helped secure a new law that guarantees pensions for unmarried partners.
- Anti‑trans event cancelled – The Johnstown Estate came under huge pressure after a petition started by Miriam led the venue to cancel a planned anti‑trans event.
- Blinken Tipperary Peace Prize – A petition to revoke Antony Blinken’s nomination succeeded; the nomination was withdrawn, and the story received national media coverage.ESB Storm Éowyn costs – After a petition and a meeting with the minister, ESB agreed not to pass on the costs of Storm Éowyn to customers.
So much can be achieved with a tiny staff team on a shoestring budget with a strong community of hundreds of thousands of members all across Ireland. From starting campaigns, delivering petitions, putting decision-makers under pressure with emails and phone calls, hosting demos and public events, and creating new tech tools to chipping in monthly — it was a very busy year, and together, we made a huge impact. We can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!
NOTES:
- [1] Gaza Legal Case | Uplift
- [2] Boycott Teva | Uplift
- [3] Homes for All stories map | Uplift
- [4] The Neutrality Files | Uplift
- [5] Uplift Community Submission to the Mental Health Commission | Uplift
- [6] The People’s Inquiry on Big Tech Harms | Uplift
- [7] Democracy Shield Campaign | Uplift
- [8] Ban the hunting of foxes with packs of dogs on horseback in Ireland | MyUplift
- [9] Solar Citizens[10] Future Forests & Uplift’s People Powered Forest | Uplift
