Celebrating 188 Applications for the Migrant Leadership Academy 2026
Last Friday marked a milestones: we officially closed the call for applications for the 2026 Migrant Leadership Academy (MLA), and the response was overwhelming: 188 expressions of interest - the highest number of applicants in the history of the programme.
While numbers alone do not tell the whole story, this record-breaking response speaks volumes about the vibrant community that has grown around MLA.
How It Started
Almost a decade ago, our CEO, Teresa Buczkowska, had a powerful vision and mission: to create a network of migrant and refugee leaders who are making a positive difference across Ireland.
In our first year, we got zero applications. The team actively reached out to individuals, pitching the vision of the programme, and encouraging people across local communities to step forward and apply.
Today, that dynamic has completely transformed: we have over 11 candidates per one spot, and most of them decided to apply after a recommendation from a previous participant. Seeing 188 individuals proactively step up wanting to join this movement is not just a reflection of growing interest; it is proof of a thriving, self-sustaining community.
An Achievement Built by Our Graduates
The reputation of the Migrant Leadership Academy was not built in a boardroom or through advertising campaigns. It was built in local communities, activist circles, policy forums, and grassroots initiatives across Ireland.
Over the years, graduates from every single cohort have taken what they learned through the Academy and turned it into tangible action:
- Leading Initiatives: Organising campaigns, founding community groups, and advocating for social justice.
- Supporting Others: Mentoring new arrivals, bridging gaps in local services, and advocating for marginalised voices.
- Driving Representation: Bringing diverse, lived experiences into places of decision-making and leadership.
Through your everyday leadership and dedication, our alumni carried the values of MLA far beyond the residential training rooms and online sessions.
Paving the Way for the Class of 2026
To every graduate from every cohort: thank you!
The 188 people who expressed interest this year may not know it yet, but they are walking towards a programme whose story has been written by all of you.
As we begin the process of reviewing applications and preparing for the upcoming cohort, we do so with deep gratitude for our past participants and excitement for the future.
This milestone is a shared success story—and we hope every member of the MLA family feels as proud of it as we do.