We all Have the Power to Make Change

The end of a year is a good time to reflect on all the amazing things we’ve achieved together in 2024. All across Ireland, you, along with Uplift’s 350,000 members have been campaigning hard to make the changes we want to see in our communities, and the wider world. There’s so much to be proud of and when I look back it gives me hope that we will do even more next year.

Here’s an overview of all the inspiring things we have done together in the past 4 months:

Empty Homes

We paid for headline-grabbing research into what councils need to do to bring empty homes back into use, we made sure that every election candidate knew that we wanted them to focus on empty homes in the local and general elections and plenty of them signed our Empty Homes Pledge, and we shared our personal stories of eviction and homelessness on the Homes For All map to highlight the scale of the problem and so that we know that we aren’t alone.[1]

Just this week we’ve been sending hundreds of emails to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs who are negotiating the next government telling them that turning thousands of empty houses into warm, secure homes for people and families, no matter who we are or where we come from needs to be a top priority for the incoming government [2]

People vs. Big Tech

Our People’s Inquiry on Big Tech Harms heard from dozens of people whose lives have been affected by unregulated big tech platforms. Our expert panel heard about the impact of these platforms on health, democracy, marginalized communities, and climate change. Our massive report is being compiled and will be ready to put on the desks of the new government soon. We also filed a complaint to Coimisiún na Meán regarding insufficient content moderation. [3]

Solidarity with Gaza

We’re continuing to stand in solidarity with people in Gaza and do everything we can to bring about a ceasefire: We delivered our legal case against the Irish government for breaching EU Human Rights Trade rules and allowing weapons bound for Israel to be flown through Irish airspace. The government has asked for more time but the people of Gaza don’t have time for delay so we will be keeping the pressure on to hold the government to account. [4]

Standing up against Animal Cruelty

We stood up against animal cruelty when thousands of us signed a petition and forced the minister to close a horse slaughterhouse where horses were being badly abused. We’ve also chipped in to get a top researcher to investigate where the government is turning a blind eye to animal cruelty so that in 2025 we can build a big campaign to speak up for our animal friends who can’t speak for themselves. [5]

Supporting Mental Health

Together we demanded increased mental health funding in the Budget 2025 campaign. Politicians listened, and there was a 10% increase in Mental Health funding. It’s not enough but it’s a start that we can build on. [6]

Keeping women safe

Every week we read about horrific violence against women and girls in Ireland. We know that enough is enough. Almost 5,000 of us got behind SiSi’s petition to spread awareness about men’s violence against women to make sure that keeping women safe is prioritised in the next Programme for Government. [7]

Take the Tax!

Uplift members have been telling the government to take the €13 billion owed to us by Apple since 2018 and spend it improving the lives of everybody in our communities. Finally they’ve been ordered to take the tax, so we asked Uplift members what it should be spent on. Hundreds of us answered, beyond doubt, Uplift members want this government to put the €13 billion Apple Tax money into building affordable and public homes. [8]

Our beautiful Cards for Peace

Fair play to everyone who bought beautiful Peace in Palestine cards to show solidarity with people in Palestine this holiday season and spread the message of peace and justice to our friends and family. 100% of net proceeds will be donated to help Ele Elna Elak provide water and food to people in Gaza — our cards sold out super fast and I’m happy to report that we will be sending them a massive donation on behalf of Uplift members of €2,306. [9]

Join our WhatsApp group

The staff team has been sending out weekly news roundups on the Uplift Whatsapp group. The more people who take action, the bigger the changes we can make. If you’d like to be included you can sign up here.

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