Young environmentalists from Offaly scoop top prize at ECO-UNESCO Environmentalist Awards

A group of students from Tullamore College claimed the top prize in the senior biodiversity category at this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) 2024.

Minister Pippa Hackett who presented awards at the ceremony was delighted that Offaly was so well represented by Tullamore College with their project Gairdín na Beatha, aimed at improving biodiversity on the school site.

Over 1,000 people attended the awards showcase and finals, which took place at the Royal Convention Centre, Dublin on Wednesday, May 15.

The group from Tullamore College promoted biodiversity on their school grounds by growing various flora that enabled the ecosystem to thrive. They were among 26 eco-projects to receive awards at this year’s competition.

The awards recognise the work of young people who are tackling key issues in relation to climate and biodiversity loss, taking environmental action in their school or community and coming up with creative solutions to solve environmental issues. Now in its 25th year, the YEA programme has reached people in every county of Ireland, with a total of over 65,000 young people participating and 6,000 projects submitted over the years.

Commenting on the awards, National Director, ECO-UNESCO, Elaine Nevin, said: “Since the Young Environmentalist Awards began 25 years ago, we’ve seen the programme go from strength to strength each year. I’m so impressed by the number of projects and the high standard this year from students in Offaly and across Ireland. Our young people are the heart of the YEA programme, using their passion, creativity and dedication to make a lasting impact on their communities.

"We have created a strong tradition of effecting environmental change over the last 25 years and I’m proud of the work that’s been done to date. When we started the YEA programme, there were five awards categories, since then it has grown to twelve, reflecting the sheer scale of environmental issues that impact our planet and our young people.

“I would like to congratulate all of our awardees, acknowledge those who took part in our regional semi-finals and thank all our funders who make this all possible every year. Each and every project that entered this year’s awards deserves to be celebrated. We look forward to continuing to inspire youth environmental action for the next 25 years!”

ECO-UNESCO is Ireland’s leading environmental education and youth organisation working to conserve the environment and empower young people. ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards is an all-Ireland environmental awards programme that recognises and rewards young people who raise environmental awareness and improve the environment. In its 25th year, the YEA programme aims to honour the work of young people who collaborate to protect, conserve and enhance the environment through local environmental projects, making a difference to their lives and the lives of others.