IFA & FBD Ready to Lead 2026 Open for Applications

IFA & FBD have launched the opening of applications for the 2026 ‘Ready to Lead’ programme, following the successful launch of the programme earlier this year.

The Ready to Lead programme is for farmers interested in learning more about agri policy, providing the opportunity to meet key stakeholders who help shape policy within agriculture in Ireland and the EU, while also providing those farmers with hands-on experience within IFA.

The six-day programme will be rolled out over three events across two days each, throughout 2026. It will include sessions with leaders in the sector; political representatives in Dublin; and an educational tour to Brussels to see the IFA office in action and to gain a better understanding of how the EU institutions work on the ground. The Ready to Lead Programme is fully funded by IFA, FBD Trust CLG and Farm Business Skillnet.

Speaking at the launch of the programme for 2026, IFA President Francie Gorman said it is crucial the Association provides the next generation of farm leaders with the opportunity to get involved as the decisions on agri-policy being made today will impact on their futures.

“The Ready to Lead programme provides the future leaders of Irish farming the opportunity to engage face-to-face with key decision makers on agri-policy and industry stakeholders both here in Ireland and in Brussels. The level of access provided to participants is unmatched,” Francie Gorman said.

“The feedback from the 2025 participants has been overwhelmingly positive, and they now implementing the skills and knowledge from the programme in their roles as farm leaders and national committee members.”

“I encourage farmers out there with an interest learning about agri-policy to apply for 2026. It is a real opportunity to learn about how decisions are made for Irish agriculture and the role IFA play in defending farmers,” the IFA President said.

The chair of FBD Trust Michael Berkery said FBD is delighted to support the second year of this important leadership initiative helping to identify and promote the next generation of IFA leaders.

“A strong, independent, and effective national organisation is essential to meet the challenges facing the next generation of farm families. This programme is targeted at dynamic and progressive potential leaders and is an investment in both their future and future of the farming sector.”

Full details can be found here.