PILS Summer School 2026
The PILS Summer School is a free training programme for community and voluntary organisations working in Northern Ireland who are keen to explore the potential of legal challenges.
How many times have you seen a policy announcement that doesn’t feel right. Or complained to a colleague about a statutory duty being ignored.
You think “if we had more time, money and headspace, I’d love to challenge that in court”.
Now, imagine you can.
The PILS Summer School is a brand-new training programme for community and voluntary organisations working in Northern Ireland who are keen to explore the potential of legal challenges.
This free training programme is designed to build knowledge, confidence and power within organisations to use legal tools alongside their usual advocacy, campaigning or policy work.
Based on PILS’ 17 years of experience collaborating with groups across the north, we know that the faster a grassroots organisation can spot an unfair decision that is ripe for legal challenge, the quicker they can act.
By combining detailed training sessions with strategic advice from PILS and peer support, your organisation will be empowered to identify, understand and initiate successful legal challenges.
All free of charge.
This programme is for organisations who are tired of waiting for progress and who want to take the legal process into their own hands.
“Going down the legal route is just another string to your bow, it’s another method of campaigning.
It doesn’t mean that you put all your eggs into that basket but it’s something additional you can do. And, actually, it can underpin a broader campaign.”
– Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, Conradh na Gaeilge
The specifics:
There will be four hybrid training sessions (each lasting two hours) in a Belfast city-centre venue on:
- Tuesday 28 July 2026
- Tuesday 04 August 2026
- Tuesday 11 August 2026
- Tuesday 18 August 2026
These will cover: human rights frameworks, anti-discrimination and equality law in Northern Ireland, legal remedies and an introduction to public interest litigation.
The four training sessions will be delivered live in-person and online, with a recording available to review and replay for all participants.
To put the theory into practice, you’ll then attend one of three in-person workshops close to you. (One in Belfast and two at locations to be jointly agreed with participants.)
In the smaller workshop groups, PILS staff will be on hand to discuss the issues your organisation and the communities you serve are facing and how you could use the law for the greatest impact.
The in-person workshops are scheduled to run in September/October 2026.
Benefits:
- Free, expert training sessions to give your organisation the tools to decide if legal action is right for you and your communities
- Structured, personalised feedback at in-person workshops
- A judgment-free space to try out new concepts and ideas, in a supportive environment
- Live, hybrid and recorded options allow you to join the training sessions in a way that suits you
- Become part of a community that can continue to encourage each other beyond the lifetime of the programme
Who should join the Summer School:
The Summer School is open to non-governmental organisations, charities, community groups and grassroots collectives working with people in Northern Ireland who are facing challenges because of the cost-of-living crisis.
Your organisation does not have to be formerly constituted or a registered charity to take part.
If your group is interested in the idea of using legal tools to tackle issues exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis, we’d like to hear from you.
To ensure broad participation, we’d ask for a maximum of two attendees from each organisation.
“The fact that you exist actually gives me confidence in my role as policy and campaigns manager, because I know of somewhere to turn to if I get lost in legislation and just can’t understand it, or I’m hearing differing opinions.”
– Deena Nimick, Centre for Independent Living NI
How to get involved:
Fill out this short application form.
A member of the PILS team will then contact you with more information about the PILS Summer School.
The course is free of charge. Places are limited though, so please fill out this form ASAP to secure your place.
Support:
This programme is made possible thanks to the generous support of the National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All NI.
