This coincides with Earth Day which takes place every year on April 22nd
Twenty-three groups from nine Co Cork schools are among 102 finalists from across the island of Ireland to have succeeded at the semi-final ‘ECO-Dens’ stages of the YEAs last month (March) and who will now go on to showcase their shortlisted eco-projects at the YEAs this year.
They include:
- ‘Eco Paper Pioneers’, a project from Kinsale Community School, is through to the ECO-Art and Design Category of the awards. The group of young people aimed to reduce paper waste and lower their school's carbon footprint by surveying teachers on their weekly paper use and making homemade paper from wastepaper in photocopying rooms.
- ‘EcoSensory Adventures’, a project from Coláiste Treasa, Kanturk, is through to the ECO-Health and Well-Being Category of the awards. The group of young people focused on upcycling and recycling old materials while also supporting children with autism and sensory difficulties by creating a sensory board and toys from unused household materials. This benefitted both the environment and the community by reducing landfill waste, promoting sustainability, and supporting students with sensory needs.
- ‘Where have all the butterflies gone?’, a project from Millstreet Community School, Coomlogane, is through to the Biodiversity Category of the awards. The group of young people investigated the decline of butterflies in the North Cork area and spread awareness on the effect climate change plays on butterflies.
The young people from Co Cork will join over 1,000 young environmentalists from across Ireland for a day of celebration, inspiration, and climate action at the Young Environmentalist Awards.
ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards is an all-island programme that recognises 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 26th 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 entered down through the years.
Commenting on this year’s YEA finalists, Elaine Nevin, National Director, ECO-UNESCO said: “The projects that have made it through to this year’s Young Environmentalist Awards reflect the mission of Earth Day, the theme of which this year is ‘Our Power, Our Planet’ ─ a call to action highlighting the transformative power of renewable energy and its role in creating a more sustainable and equitable future. Earth Day 2025 encourages individuals, communities, and governments to take action by adopting renewable energy solutions, advocating for supportive policies, and participating in local and global initiatives. Through their projects, young people have taken the lead in raising awareness of critical environmental issues, inspiring change in their communities, and championing more sustainable lifestyles.
“I would like to wish our finalists from Cork the best of luck for the awards, congratulate those who took part in our regional semi-final ECO-Dens, and thank all our funders who make this all possible every year. Each and every project that enters the awards deserves to be celebrated!”
Further information about the Young Environmentalist Awards is available online at https://ecounesco.ie/young-environmentalist-awards/
