A Transformative Week with Fundación MAPFRE and MAWDY
This September, Best Buddies International traveled to Galway and Dublin to accelerate the launch of the Empowerment & Future Ready Program in Ireland, our first initiative supported by Fundación MAPFRE in the country. Together with MAWDY, our local corporate partner, we spent five days training staff, activating volunteers, and laying the groundwork for a new chapter of inclusion.
Training and Parent Engagement
Our visit centered on equipping Best Buddies Ireland’s new Transitions Coordinator to deliver high-quality workshops for youth with intellectual disabilities getting ready for life after secondary school. We provided curriculum training, mock workshops, and one-on-one coaching so they left feeling confident and ready to lead sessions throughout Galway over the next six months.
We also hosted our first Parent Information Night in Galway with parents, school leaders, and MAWDY volunteers. It created a welcoming, informative space for families to learn about the Transitions Program, share their experiences, and begin building a supportive network.
Mobilizing MAWDY Volunteers
MAWDY leaders and staff experienced Best Buddies Ireland’s mission firsthand through training, networking, and a Citizens event aboard the Corrib Princess. After a virtual kick-off and multiple Zoom trainings, the in-person engagement was a welcome milestone. With executive leadership setting the example, more than 30 employees stepped forward to support Best Buddies Ireland through their first partnership with Fundación MAPFRE. The positive response and momentum created underscored the powerful role corporate teams can play in advancing inclusion on the ground.
Corporate Partnerships Driving Sustainability
Our team also leveraged our visit to meet with new corporate networks to share more about Best Buddies Ireland’s mission and programs. These conversations helped raise awareness of the Empowerment & Future Ready initiative in Ireland and opened doors to meaningful engagement opportunities that can sustain and scale programs over time. By introducing Best Buddies to fresh audiences, we’re working to build a strong foundation of partners committed to inclusion and long-term impact across Ireland.
Looking Ahead
The visit to Ireland was only the beginning. Over the next several months, the Empowerment & Future Ready Program will unfold in schools and communities, connecting students, parents, volunteers, and corporate partners in ways that make inclusion visible and lasting.
This spring, the inaugural Friendship Walk will bring everyone together to celebrate that progress – not as an end point, but as a launchpad.
With every new workshop, conversation, and volunteer activation, Best Buddies Ireland is building a movement that will continue to grow well beyond this first year.
Join the Movement
Best Buddies Ireland’s success depends on the collective energy of partners, volunteers, and families. To learn more, volunteer, or support the Transitions Program, reach out to us at international@bestbuddies.org.
