Foróige

Foróige is an Irish organisation whose purpose is "to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their development and in the development of society". Macra na Tuaithe, the youth branch of Macra na Feirme, was formed on March 14, 1952. In 1981, the organisation changed its name to Foróige, derived from forbairt na hóige, which means "development of youth".

The first club
The first club was formed in the town of Mooncoin, County Kilkenny on March 14, 1952 where the local school held a youth club for the schoolchildren. As this was a success, another 12 pilot clubs came together and in 1953, Macra na Tuaithe was created.

Funding and grants
In 1958, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in America secured a £30,000 grant to help fund an expansion of Macra na Tuaithe activities. In 1963, the organisation received its first funding from the Department of Education.

Expansion and name change
In 1971, Macra na Tuaithe began its expansion into urban areas with the opening of a permanent headquarters in Dublin, and developed the decision to build more Foróige clubs in urban areas. The first national conference for the organisation's volunteers took place in Termonfeckin, County Louth and this still continues today. In 1981, Marca na Tuaithe was renamed Foróige and the result of this change was to facilitate further expansion into growing urban areas.

Change of governance
In 2015, Foróige changed its governance from an association into a company limited by guarantee. This change enhanced the role the volunteers play in the organisation.