Empty Buildings, Real Lives is a youth‑led creative advocacy project that supports teenagers to explore and respond to the housing crisis through research, creativity and civic engagement. Developed in partnership with Cork City Comhairle na nÓg, Derelict Ireland and Creativity & Change (MTU), the project focuses on the visible contradiction between homelessness and derelict or long‑term vacant buildings in the city.

Through a series of facilitated workshops, young people become urban investigators. They walk the city, map and document vacant buildings, and ask critical questions about ownership, policy and responsibility. The project places strong emphasis on ethical engagement, focusing on systems, buildings and decision‑making structures rather than individuals experiencing homelessness.

As the project develops, participants build skills in systems thinking, creative inquiry and advocacy. They work together to decide how their learning should be shared and how young people’s voices can be heard in public discussion.

The project culminates in a youth‑led knowledge‑exchange conference hosted by Cork City Comhairle na nÓg, where participants lead panels and workshops for young people from across the city. Empty Buildings, Real Lives empowers young people to engage confidently with complex social issues, strengthens youth voice in civic spaces, and creates informed, collective questioning as a vital step towards, social change in Cork City.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.