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The "Becoming a Climate Champion" e-course strives to empower you to put in place or ramp up your climate initiatives by enhancing your skills in five key areas: leadership, project management, resource mobilization, leave no one behind and communications.

Welcome to the "Becoming a Climate Champion" e-course!

Are you ready to drive impactful climate action?

"Becoming a Climate Champion" is an interactive online course designed to equip you with essential skills for excelling in climate action in five key areas: leadership, project management, resource mobilization, leave no one behind and communications.

You will learn from high-level experts how to apply these skills to your climate and environmental projects, transforming your initiatives into successful, meaningful contributions to a sustainable future. Whether you are an entrepreneur, student, government official or NGO worker, this course empowers you to take your work to the next level and ramp up action against climate change.

"Becoming a Climate Champion" was developed by UN CC:Learn and UN Climate Change's Youth4Capacity.

Enrol today to take the first step to becoming a Climate Champion!

Support climate change literacy

We want to continue our crucial journey to equip people with the skills and knowledge needed to make informed decisions, to act and to fight climate crisis.

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What will you learn?

The e-course aims to build people's capacities in five key areas - leadership, project management, resource mobilization, leave no one behind and communications - to support them in climate-related projects.

After completing the course, you will be able to:

Devise an inclusive climate action project or initiative that contributes to global efforts to tackle climate change.

Outline a brief communications plan to promote climate-friendly projects and initiatives.

Identify the resources needed to successfully implement a climate project or initiative.

Describe key elements to consider when conceptualizing and implementing inclusive and gender-responsive climate projects and initiatives.

Make use of different leadership styles in climate action projects and initiatives.

Who is this e-course for?

This course caters for everyone who wishes to learn more about leadership, project management, resource mobilization, leave no one behind and communications. However, it will be particularly useful to:

Young people, such as students, entrepreneurs and professionals, who are acting, or intend to act, on climate change and would like to start or enhance their projects and initiatives.

UN CC:Learn alumni and Youth4Capacity beneficiaries who are already taking or wish to take concrete steps to act on climate change.

Everyone interested in playing an active role in addressing climate change and would like to benefit from these skills in their projects and initiatives.

The course at a glance

The course is self-paced and takes around three hours to complete.

The course has five interactive and engaging modules, one for each of the areas it covers. The course features video lessons, interactive online lessons, a final quiz and various additional resources.

Module 1: Leadership

Module 2: Project Management

Module 3: Resource Mobilization

Module 4: Leave No One Behind

Module 5: Communications

Final Quiz & Project Idea Submission

Your Instructors

Angus Mackay

Director, Division for Planet, UNITAR, and Head, UN CC:Learn Secretariat.

Cristina Rekakavas

Specialist, UNITAR, and Coordinator, UN CC:Learn Programme.

Thanasis Priftis

Professor, Haute école de gestion, Geneva, and Director, Ynternet.org Foundation.

Margaux Granat

Founder and Director, EnGen Collaborative, and climate justice and gender equality specialist.

Dickon Bonvik-Stone

Senior communications manager, climate communication trainer, and podcast host.

Get your Certificate

Upon completing the five modules, participants will be asked to complete a final quiz covering the content of all the modules. A certificate of completion is awarded to learners who complete:

All videos, interactive lessons and activities.

The final quiz with a score of 70 per cent or higher.

The certificate will be available upon completion of the course. Once conditions are met, the certificate will automatically become available for download.

Partners and Contributors

This e-course is a collaboration between UN CC:Learn and UN Climate Change's Youth4Capacity, with a contribution from the Government of Italy.
If you liked this course and other trainings on the platform, why not make a donation? Every little bit helps to improve the platform, add more courses and reach new learners. Thank you!

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course: becoming a climate champion | one un climate change learning partnership

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The "Becoming a Climate Champion" e-course strives to empower you to put in place or ramp up your climate initiatives by enhancing your skills in five key areas: leadership, project management, resource mobilization, leave no one behind and communications.

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Health:

How this issue shows up in our country:

Increased road deaths in the past years

Shortage of healthcare workers in public hospital

Actions/Policies that can tackle this issue

The Healthy Ireland Framework has four goals. Increase the population of people healthy in all proportions of life, reduce health inequalities, protect the public from threats on health and wellbeing, and create a society where everyone can play their part in a healthy Ireland.

This dimension is connected to Social Equity, since everyone should have access to quality healthcare.

Info:

https://tinyurl.com/mw4j6sz9

https://shorturl.at/lOA8K

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According to studies, 23% of consumers in Ireland face difficulties while grocery prices are rising. This means they buy less ‘snacks’ and ‘unnecessary’ foods; instead they buy what is needed.

https://loveirishfood.ie/news/23-of-consumers-struggling-with-higher-grocery-prices/

In a study in 2024 carried out towards 1000 parents, 41% of which families had to cut out parents’ food in order to provide enough for kids. This means that Ireland still has population that struggle to get sufficient, healthy food. Some of these parents are worrying if they will be able to provide enough food for their kids.

Outcomes of experiment seen through page 8-9: https://www.barnardos.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Barnardos-%E2%80%93-Food-Insecurity-Report-2024.pdf

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0227/1434595-food-survey/

‘A survey of FoodCloud’s community partners in July 2024 reported that 69% of groups have seen an increase in the number of people seeking food services in the past six months. ‘

This signifies that not just the developing/underdeveloped countries are experiencing food poverty, but so is Ireland. Especially when there is an increasing figure for people seeking help on affording food.

https://food.cloud/news/food-poverty-irelands-first-responders#:~:text=Community%20groups%20are%20emergency%20first,2023%2C%20the%20need%20remains%20high.

Food waste:

In the school, we can sometimes see abandoned oranges, half-eaten apples, and unfinished packed lunches thrown around after lunch. These foods are wasted because there is a sufficient food supply for students in our school. They are not supposed to be dumped into the brown bins as rubbish, but instead should be consumed properly.

In coffee shops, hotels, and restaurants, consumers would always have leftovers on their plates. These leftovers are dumped and wasted.

Policies/Actions

-What is already there

1. School lunch programs: Set up for primary school students to provide free meal during everyday lunchtime.

2. Income boosts: tax credit, grants and subsidies for people to have more affordability.

-What we can do

1. More government interventions on free food scheme to help those who are in struggle

2. Supermarkets giving out offers such as reduced meal packs

3. Shops selling off food that expires on the day at lower prices

Food can relate to the sector of income, health, housing etc. Housing being too expensive can cause people to have less to spend on food; income too low can cause lack of money to be spent on food; long-term lack of healthy, sufficient food can lead to health problems such as obesity, underweight, malnutrition.

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Social Equity:

Problems:

Over 1000 Irish citizens were reported to be homeless in Dublin in 2023

13.3% of people reported to be at risk of poverty

Policies:

The Roadmap For Social Inclusion aims to ensure that social inclusion is at the core of the public policy and service strategy

Links:

Income and Work, since most people who live in poverty are low income.

Overview - Poverty Related Targets in Ireland Ireland's UN SDGs - Goal 1 No Poverty 2024 - Central Statistics Office

Ireland's progress towards achieving the UN SDGs - Goal 1 No Poverty 2024 | Social Justice Ireland

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How does food affect my area and country?

The food can affect my area and country in different ways. By consuming food that is imported from other countries, it contributes to climate change and the other country’s economy. It can also impact local businesses as everything is exported or imported from other countries, this leaves local food businesses with an unfair chance at selling their products.

What kind of policies or actions can I take to help tackle the issue?

I can start buying from foods grown or harvested in Ireland instead of buying only imported foods from other countries. There can also be policies that allow Ireland to only import a certain amount of goods and when fruits or vegetables are in season Ireland cant import those foods.

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Data shows that food poverty in families with children is worsening and many low-income parents face difficulties trying to provide themselves and their children with sufficient food as more than 7,700 children in Dublin rely on food poverty support. A large portion of parents often worry about having enough food to feed their children, resort to food banks, and cut down on household bills to make sure there's enough food.

Introducing free school meals and giving additional supports to low-income families can help tackle this issue. Food poverty links to the area of health as without nutritious food there can be damaging physical and mental health effects.

https://www.barnardos.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Barnardos-Food-Poverty-Report-A4-2023.pdf

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/dublin-news/more-than-7700-children-in-dublin-relying-on-food-poverty-supports/a1791708095.html

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Health

-Ireland’s healthcare systems sometimes cannot reach out to all patients who are in need of healthcare. The waiting list prioritises those that are in fatal sickness, which means people that are in relatively better condition have to wait for a long tim to be able to receive treatment in public hospitals.

This means that many people may choose to go to private hospitals instead. However, prices can be extremely high if you are not under the covered illnesses. For example, the standard fee for outpatients/emergency patients without a GP reference to see a doctor is 100 in the source listed below. (https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/patient-care/hospital-charges/ )

At the mean time, due to high transport costs, long waiting lists and many other reasons, some people cannot even access healthcare.

To tackle this issue, the government could set up more public hospitals to sooth the pressure, or recruit more doctors so that more patients could be seen at one time. We could also spread awareness of how to avoid getting sick.

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Ireland’s healthcare system allows private patients to have quicker access to treatment while people in the public system often have to wait long periods just to receive treatment and diagnoses. Ireland remains the only western European country without universal coverage for primary care. (universal coverage: everyone has access to essential, affordable, and high-quality primary healthcare services without financial hardship). Effectively ending the hospital waiting list crisis and properly developing resources for mental health services could help this issue.

https://www.socialjustice.ie/article/healthcare-inequalities-persist-and-undermine-treatment-and-care

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In 2021, 445,890 people in Ireland experienced food poverty, while a 2024 estimate suggested 484,200 were in food poverty, with figures and measures varying by source. Parents with insufficient income were reported to often skip meals or have smaller portions to support their kid’s health.

Policies to address food poverty in Ireland should include strengthening the Free School Meals Programme, piloting out-of-term time meal provision, increasing government coordination to develop a national food poverty strategy, supporting community-based initiatives like food banks and gardens, and addressing underlying drivers of poverty such as the housing crisis.

In Ireland, food poverty and malnutrition are deeply intertwined with poverty, social exclusion, and poor health. They are linked to factors such as low income, unemployment, and housing instability, which restrict access to healthy food. This can lead to negative consequences including poor physical and mental health.

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/organisation-information/social-inclusion-division/#:~:text=The%20Social%20Inclusion%20Division%20of%20the%20Department,inclusion%20for%20those%20who%20are%20most%20disadvantaged.

https://www.thejournal.ie/four-in-ten-parents-skipped-meals-cost-of-living-ireland-6756316-Jul2025/

https://www.svp.ie/end-poverty/poverty-in-ireland-key-facts-and-figures/

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1. Health is an important quality in countries, in ireland there is some free services that you can get from the government, you can also have a health insurance, one of the issues is the accessibility, most times you can't get the services you need from the government because there is only a group of people in a certain condition that are allowed to get them .

2. By broadening the requirements of the free service, it can make good health more accessible, as well as making therapy free this can improve mental health for all age groups.

3. This is also related to living conditions as everyone deserves the treatment they need to be healthy, and the government should be taking every action they need to make it possible to be accessible for everyone.

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8.9% of people in Ireland experience food poverty whether this be in the form of not being able to afford healthy food or skipping meals entirely. Central Statistics Office

Policies to help solve food poverty could include reducing the VAT rate on groceries, working to produce more of our own food in Ireland as well as schemes for free school meals.

Food poverty can connect to a number of other areas as the absence of a proper nutritional diet can have adverse effects on people's help as well as making it difficult for children to concentrate in school.

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Housing:

Social housing stock has not kept pace in recent years, homelessness is on the rise, and challenges persist in quickly deploying effective government policy

Policies or actions that can help:

Under HAP, local authorities can provide housing assistance to households with a long-term housing need, including many long-term Rent Supplement recipients.

Links:

This links to social equity, due to both having homelessness trends as problems

Home - Housing Assistance Payments

Addressing Ireland’s Housing Crisis: Urgent Policy Reforms Needed | Social Justice Ireland

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In Ireland the problem of inequality has persistently been an issue over many years and the cost of the living crisis has made it more focused on. In 2023 the total income of the richest 20 per cent of people in Ireland was almost four times that of the poorest 20 per cent of people. While the total value of income has increased, not much has changed in reference to its distribution. For the last 50 years, income inequality has remained stubbornly stable and many people in our society struggle to get by. To help this issue, the living wage should become more widespread and sufficient levels of social welfare should be maintained.

https://www.socialjustice.ie/article/managing-change-delivering-fair-outcomes-time-transitions#:~:text=The%20problem%20of%20inequality%20has,of%20people%20with%20a%20disability.

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People in Ireland lead longer and healthier lives than most other Europeans, although behavioural risk factors, including smoking and obesity, remain important public health concerns. Quality of health care is generally good, but access to services is constrained by costs and waiting times. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed health system weaknesses, in particular a shortage of health workers in the public sector and low intensive care unit capacity in public hospitals. Ireland’s healthcare system needs a systemic reform to function at its finest. Even if there have been some improvements after the Sláintecare Programme, waits, delays and hierarchy still result in unequal access to care. Progress of Sláintecare has been slow. To fix this, Ireland needs to increase hospital and community care capacity, hire more staff, make it easier to get GP appointments, and simplify the way that decisions are made in healthcare settings. Public healthcare issues in Ireland are linked to broader problems such as economic inequality, population aging, and underfunding that lead to long waiting lists and limited access to care for publicly-funded patients.

https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-12/2021_chp_ir_english.pdf

https://publicpolicy.ie/papers/healthcare-hierarchy-in-ireland/

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Ireland has been in the midst of a housing and homelessness crisis for almost a decade. During the past decade, housing affordability has worsened, with residential property prices increasing at a much faster rate than wages. Between 2012 and 2022, wages rose by only 27%, compared to the residential property prices which rose by 75%. Ireland's housing crisis is a result of continual under investment. Among the EU 14 countries, Ireland’s investment in housing has been the lowest and falls below half the EU 14 average. Due to this housing crisis, Ireland has the 4th highest number of homeless people in Europe. Up to a million people are being forced to live in unfair conditions due to mortgage distress, homelessness and waiting lists of many years. There are 14,486 people officially registered as homeless in the Republic of Ireland and this isn't counting people who are sleeping rough or sleeping on a couch in a friends/familys house.

To tackle this issue, we should encourage the right type of supply and reduce reliance on the Build to Rent sector as this increases overall housing costs by focusing on profit, invest in modern construction methods to speed up construction and setting achievable targets for housing construction.

https://aontu.ie/issues/housing-crisis/#:~:text=Action%20needed%20to%20address%20our,accessing%20emergency%20accommodation%20in%20Ireland.

https://www.socialjustice.ie/article/addressing-irelands-housing-crisis-urgent-policy-reforms-needed

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Energy:

Problems:

39% of energy used was reported to be oil energy, and 33% of households reported to use natural gas as their energy.

Policies and actions that could help:

The Sustainable Energy Policy aims to increase the usage of renewable energy in households.

Links:

This links to Transport due to the rise in electric cars, since they use sustainable energy.

Sustainable Energy Policy | SEAI

Sustainable Development Goal 7 Progress, Ireland | Irelands Hub for Sustainable Development Goals

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Ireland remains one of the highest water consumers in Europe. Producing clean water is both financially and environmentally costly, yet we continue to waste it on non-essential activities such as car washing and garden watering. A better approach to water use is needed. One that prioritises water reuse and efficiency. It is simply illogical to use the same high-quality treated water for drinking as we do for flushing toilets and watering plants. A growing population in Ireland puts more demand on our water resources. By 2044, we are expected to need 40% more treated water.About 38% of Ireland's drinking water is lost to leaks before it reaches our taps. The leaks can be in the public water infrastructure or private homes/businesses. To fix our high water usage issue, we can fix leaky taps, take a shower instead of baths and prioritising water efficiency appliances when buying dishwashers/washing machines.

https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2025/0318/1502610-ireland-water-crisis-infrastructure-usage-conservation-pollution-weather-events/

https://www.water.ie/help/supply/water-shortages

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https://threshold.ie/new-survey-reveals-just-6-are-renting-by-choice-threshold-report/#:~:text=74%25%20of%20survey%20respondents%20struggling,very%20insecure%20in%20their%20accommodation.

In the article above, more than half of the respondents (53%) in the survey expressed that they are feeling insecure about their current houses in 2024. This figure has been increasing for the past two years.

74% of the respondents said they face challenges to pay for other living expenses after paying for their increasing rent.

If they could get a chance to save money, it would still take long for them to own a house under the striking prices.

‘Property prices in Ireland continue to be on the rise. The latest Property Price Index figures from the Central Statistics Office show that prices increased by 7.8% overall (8.0% on houses and 6.6% on apartments) in the 12 months to June 2025.’ (https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2025/0901/1529355-house-prices-ireland-eircode-property-price-index-cso/#:~:text=Property%20prices%20in%20Ireland%20continue,12%20months%20to%20June%202025. )

Dublin being the capital, has fairly high rental prices already, making it impossible to live close to where you work.

New figures issued by the Department of Housing today show an increase in homelessness of 422 people for January 2025 to a new record high total of 15,286 people homeless. For the same month there are also 93 more children, and 72 more families compared to December 2024 (4,603 children and 2,164 families for January 2025). (https://www.focusireland.ie/press-release/homeless-figures-increase-to-a-record-high-of-15286-as-focus-ireland-urge-government-to-prioritise-new-social-housing-for-vulnerable-families/ )

Ideas to tackle these issues

Setting up more social welfare houses

Building road networks from suburbs to city centers in order to relieve transport pressure so that more people choose to live on outskirts

Raise minimum wage for people to earn more to pay their rent

This relates to:

Health: when people pay off their rent they might be left with little or no money to pay off living expenses

Networks: roads get crowded due to people living in the outskirts but commute to the town. Sometimes worse if road accidents happen.

Income and work: companies cut off employees to save more money for their rental fee

Food: people cutting off meals and groceries to save money for rents, bills and fuel.

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Most Irish people have access to clean, filtered water. However this does not apply for people that live in rural areas that rely on wells and other people that have to drink from public water resources that are considered not meeting the proper drinkable water quality.

https://www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/drinking-water/annual-drinking-water-reports/FINAL-EPA_DrinkingWaterQualityinPublicSupplies2024-v1.4.pdf

In July 2024, over a half million people are drinking water from resources that are considered ‘at risk’. This means that their drinking water could be not filtered enough, contaminated, dirty, or causing health problems such as diarrhea and infection.

https://www.thejournal.ie/environmental-protection-agency-report-at-risk-water-supplies-6425556-Jul2024/#:~:text=Over%20half%20a%20million%20people,in%20water%20treated%20with%20chlorine.

This relates to sectors of health, income and work, network, energy

We should set up more pipes piping water to further rural areas to improve water quality for the residents there. There should also be filtering pipes set up around the town for people to drink when needed.

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Networks:

Ireland currently plans on increasing the quality of rail and sea ports, as well as plans for a future metro tunnel link for trams.

Links:

This links to energy, since most trams use electrical energy, which is renewable.

Dublin's Metrolink project has (finally) been granted planning permission

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A lack of sustainable energy sources for Ireland has resulted in a reliance on energy imports. In 2021, Ireland's energy import dependency was 80% percent, compared to a EU average of 57.5%. This means we import 4/5ths of the energy we use. It found the average Irish household is paying about 30% more (around €347 more) per year for electricity than the average EU home.Figures show that in May, 2025 more than 176,000 households were behind on their electricity bills for more than 90 days.

https://www.socialjustice.ie/article/energy-security-crisis

https://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/fears-of-arrears-crisis-as-record-number-of-families-are-three-months-or-more-behind-on-energy-bills/a249797653.html

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Around 6 percent of Irish households do not have internet in their houses. This means that they cannot call, text or search on the web. This could be due to high costs of setting up, lack of broadband availability in rural/countryside areas or lack of knowledgeable/skilled people to set up.

https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-isshict/internetcoverageandusageinireland2024/householdinternetconnectivity/#:~:text=The%20survey%20estimates%20that%206,Figure%203.3%20and%20Table%203.3.

People in rural areas find it hard to access public transport. At the same time, high fuel prices also troubled many. Urban residents suffer from endless traffic in the citycenter, lack of seats on buses, delayed buses and darts. People in rural areas struggle with high fuel prices, lack of accessibility to public transport, and the difficulty to commute to citycenters.  https://www.theaa.ie/blog/new-aa-survey-highlights-difference-between-public-transport-in-rural-and-urban-areas/#:~:text=%22It's%20very%20clear%20that%20there,the%20pandemic%2C%E2%80%9D%20states%20Comyn.

Many people in Ireland are ‘disconnected’ from the other areas. This means that they cannot contact anyone if there are incidents, fires, robbery or danger. People’s daily life can also be hugely affected by the lazy traffic system.

This links in with income and work, health, energy.

We could find out a more efficient public transport timetable so that buses and darts are not always late. We need to increase the coverage of broadband for people in the countryside in order to keep them linked in.

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Ireland faces growing social equity problems linked to the cost of living crisis, as rising housing, energy, and food prices disproportionately affect low and middle income households. Many families struggle to afford rent or childcare, deepening inequality and pushing more people toward poverty. One solution is to expand affordable housing through increased public investment and rent controls, which would help reduce financial pressure on vulnerable groups. These equity issues are closely tied to Ireland’s homelessness crisis, as unaffordable living costs continue to rise.

https://www.socialjustice.ie/article/measuring-what-matters-alternative-wellbeing-framework-fairer-future#:~:text=Vulnerable%20groups%20%E2%80%93%20including%20renters%2C%20single,and%20resilient%20progress%20for%20all.&text=The%20key%20question%20is%20how,fairer%20and%20more%20just%20society.

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Ireland faces growing social equity problems linked to the cost of living crisis, as rising housing, energy, and food prices disproportionately affect low and middle income households. Many families struggle to afford rent or childcare, deepening inequality and pushing more people toward poverty. One solution is to expand affordable housing through increased public investment and rent controls, which would help reduce financial pressure on vulnerable groups. These equity issues are closely tied to Ireland’s homelessness crisis, as unaffordable living costs continue to rise.

https://www.socialjustice.ie/article/measuring-what-matters-alternative-wellbeing-framework-fairer-future#:~:text=Vulnerable%20groups%20%E2%80%93%20including%20renters%2C%20single,and%20resilient%20progress%20for%20all.&text=The%20key%20question%20is%20how,fairer%20and%20more%20just%20society.

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Ireland has been in the midst of a housing and homelessness crisis for almost a decade, with recent developments escalating at an alarming rate. Over the past decade, housing affordability has worsened, with the residential property prices increasing at a much faster rate than wages. Between the period 2012 - 2022, wages rose by only 27 per cent, compared to residential property prices that surged by 75 per cent. Ireland's housing crisis is a direct result of continual underinvestment. Among the EU 14 countries, Ireland’s investment in housing has been the lowest, falling below half the EU 14 average. Ireland has implemented measures such as the Housing for All plan to tackle the housing crisis by increasing housing supply, improving affordability, and supporting renters and those at risk of homelessness.

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/housing-for-all-a-new-housing-plan-for-ireland/#:~:text=the%20file%20View-,For%20first%20time%20buyers,in%20long%2Dterm%20mortgage%20arrears

https://www.socialjustice.ie/article/addressing-irelands-housing-crisis-urgent-policy-reforms-needed

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Fuel prices have been continuously rising. https://www.independent.ie/business/money/petrol-and-diesel-prices-rise-for-fourth-month-in-a-row/a663505710.html#:~:text=In%20August%2C%20the%20Government%20restored,have%20contributed%20to%20recent%20increases.%E2%80%9D

Ireland’s electricity mainly comes from wind and gas. Sometimes imported from other countries. Wind is sustainable but gas isn't. However we are progressing on switching from traditional resources to renewable ones, which lessens reliance on fossil fuels.

https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/featurearticles/featurearticles2024/fivethingsyouprobablydidntknowaboutwhereyourelectricitycomesfrom/#:~:text=Wind%20and%20Gas%20Dominate,electricity%20is%20generated%20from%20gas.

Electricity prices have risen again which puts pressure on households.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0919/1534334-electricity-prices-hike/

No more electricity credits, more burden. Income will not rise but fuel prices will.

https://www.rte.ie/news/budget-2026/2025/1007/1537074-budget-2026-energy-fuel-excise-duty/

This sector links in with income and work, health, food.

We should put back the credits for electricity as we usually do. Digging for more ways to produce energy sustainably is key in this sector.

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Food:

How the issue shows up in our country:

High food prices make it more difficult for lower income families to buy enough food

2.4% of Ireland experience food insecurity

Policies/Actions that can tackle this issue:

The Edible Dublin Food Strategy can make sure everyone has access to healthy and affordable food.

This dimension is connected to health, since food with proper nutrients can maintain good health

Info:

https://shorturl.at/t2tZa

https://shorturl.at/9AWKa

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Energy prices in Ireland have recently been on a seemingly unending rise caused by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Energy poverty is defined as spending more than 10% of a household income on energy. 29% of Irish households fell into this category in 2022 with the number now likely much higher. SEAI

Reducing our dependence on foreign imported energy by switching to renewable sources such as wind and solar is an important step in reducing energy poverty. Grants to make homes more energy efficient can also be used. Inter connector projects with other European nations can also help with energy supply during peak times

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In May 2023, Greenpeace (global network) ranked Dublin as having the worst public transport system among 30 European capital cities. This confirms our knowledge of the city’s poor and overpriced public transport.The railway system in Ireland is inaccessible to many. The dart and commuter system is only established in a handful of towns in Dublin, and fails to reach most of rural Ireland. The Luas has the same problem with only two lines, red and green, which only serve Dublin. Since the  Luas and train lines are scarce in many areas, most commuters depend on an unreliable bus system. Driving is an alternative but most cannot afford this so they are forced to take unreliable public transport. Ireland’s National Development Plan began in 2021. It was supposed to establish a mainly underground railway route for places such as Dublin Airport, educational facilities, and major employment zones. The goal is to complete this by 2030, however coming there is no significant progress to be seen. These points highlight just how underdeveloped the public transport system is, demand for better services will continue to rise as more people are resorting to public transport due to the ongoing housing and cost-of-living crises. Solutions: expand rail and bus networks, more frequent buses and increasing networks in rural areas. https://universityobserver.ie/the-daily-gamble-navigating-irelands-unreliable-public-transport-system/

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Runoff from fertilizers and slurry is the biggest cause of pollution in rivers, leading to high nitrate and phosphorus levels.  A growing population and high water demand from industries and agriculture are putting pressure on water supplies. The average person in Ireland consumes around 150 liters of water per day, a figure considerably higher than the desired level of 100 liters per person per day and often including water used wastefully through dripping taps and other habits. To combat water waste in Ireland, policy and actions must focus on investing in and upgrading wastewater infrastructure, improving water use efficiency through regulations and incentives, and enhancing monitoring and enforcement of water quality standards.

https://swanireland.ie/threats-to-our-waters/#:~:text=Ireland's%20water%20environment%20is%20in,is%20the%20second%20top%20pressure.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/environment/coasts-and-waterways/water-conservation-and-water-shortages/#:~:text=Water%20shortages%20happen%20when%20the,from%20using%20a%20hosepipe%20to:

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High energy prices following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine remain a significant concern, contributing to a cost of living crisis and affecting economic competitiveness. Ireland is heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels (oil, gas) for heat and transport, undermining its energy security and hindering its climate goals. Irish politicians are implementing policies and actions under the Climate Action Plan (CAP) to achieve an 80% renewable electricity target by 2030.

https://www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Energy-in-Ireland-2023.pdf

https://www.pwc.ie/services/deals-advisory/insights/energy-transition.html#:~:text=Ireland%20faces%20several%20significant%20hurdles,Investment%20trends

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Severe funding shortfalls are forcing WFP to scale back assistance and refocus efforts on the most severe needs. With persistent access constraints also hampering support, some of the most vulnerable people are being left behind.

Unless resources are made available and unrestricted access granted, lost lives and the reversal of hard-earned development gains will be the price to pay.

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https://www.tasc.ie/assets/files/pdf/tasc_inequality_report_2024_final.pdf

income inequality remains stable, and a significant portion of the population lives in poverty, including many children and older people.  Approximately one in seven children lives in poverty. Those out of work due to long-term health problems and those in rented or rent-free accommodation are also at a high risk of enforced deprivation.

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In May 2023, Greenpeace ranked Dublin as having the worst public transport system among 30 European capital cities. Frequent cancellations and "ghost buses" (vehicles that appear on timetables but don't show up) are a common complaint, causing frustration for commuters. Many rural areas have non-existent or limited public transport services, leaving residents with few options to commute or socialize. The Irish government is taking action to improve public transport by investing in major infrastructure projects like BusConnects, DART+, and MetroLink, expanding rural services through the Connecting Ireland Plan, implementing low fares for children and adults, and increasing funding for active travel infrastructure. Bad public transport hinders economic growth by increasing congestion, affecting businesses.

https://universityobserver.ie/the-daily-gamble-navigating-irelands-unreliable-public-transport-system/ https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2024/03/13/promoting-livable-cities-by-investing-in-urban-mobility#:~:text=Developing%20countries%20face%20challenges%20in%20financing%2C%20constructing%2C,GHG%20emissions%20continue%20to%20rise%20(SDG%2013).

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Homeless people have no access to clean water or sanitation. Those who live in places where the tap water isn't safe to drink also may not be able to afford clean water. Some people also may not be able to afford hot water for showers, soap etc… There should be more public water fountains to try and tackle this issue. This also links with health as people need water to survive and sanitations to keep clean In ireland.Over 2,200 households are listed as having no piped water supply

SDG6: Ireland's most vulnerable left behind in accessing ...

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The World health statistics 2025 report presents mixed progress towards WHO’s Triple Billion targets. An estimated 1.4 billion more people were living healthier by the end of 2024, surpassing the 1 billion target. The progress in healthier lives was driven by reduction in tobacco use, improved air quality and better access to water, hygiene, and sanitation. But progress towards increased coverage of essential health services and protection from emergencies lagged; only 431 million more people gained access to essential health services without financial hardship, and close to 637 million more people were better protected from health emergencies.

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In Ireland we don't have great public transport outside of Dublin. There are very few buses if there are even any and they only come every hour, maybe even more. They need to create better public transport services and could also do with lowering fare costs. Their are also more people becoming reliant on public transport

Record-Breaking Public Transport Usage in Ireland for 2023 ...

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Population projections indicate that Ireland’s demographics are shifting from a relatively young population to one with a significant proportion of older people by 2051 and is expected to grow considerably over the next 35 years. This expanding population needs accommodation that is suitable to their needs and supports both family formation and ageing.

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Food

Greystones most of the shops that are mainly used are foods brought in from other areas and countries meaning that the money does not go back to the local area to support the smaller Irish businesses to help them grow further in the future

Actions we can take are starting to reuse and support the smaller more local irish businesses and use less big name brands that import most of their produce

Food shows up as in Food issues in Ireland include food insecurity, which is driven by affordability and accessibility, particularly for vulnerable groups like one-parent families. Other challenges include high levels of household food waste, concerns about the cost of food, and public health issues stemming from dietary habits.

Food actions in Ireland involve a national Food Vision 2030 strategy for sustainable agri-food systems, a Food Poverty Action Plan addressing affordability

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Over the last 30 years, the use and protection of water resources has increasingly come to the attention of legislators both in Ireland and in Europe. As a result, there is now a large body of legislation aimed at protecting and maintaining the quality of water in Ireland. There is also a large number of organisations with responsibility for ensuring that: clean water supplies are delivered efficiently and effectively; wastewater is carried away and appropriately treated; and our rivers, lakes and coastal waters meet high environmental standards.

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Problems: Food waste, The EPA estimates that Ireland generated 835,000 tonnes (t) of food waste[2][3] in 2023.

This equates to 162 kg of food waste per person and is higher than the EU average of 132 kg of food waste per capita[4].

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Ireland has an abundant water supply, problems remain with aging infrastructure, leaks, and occasional water quality issues. Droughts are also becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change. About 38% of Ireland's drinking water is lost to leaks before it reaches our taps. By 2044, we expect to need around 40% more treated water-Uisce Eireann

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How the issue shows up: ~5.4% of people experienced moderate to severe food insecurity in 2021[1], and roughly 9% were classified as “food poor” in 2022.[2]

Policies/Actions: The government has a Food Poverty Action Plan (2023) to improve access (i.e. funding school meals and case workers) and urges all departments to help ensure no one goes hungry.[2]

Sources:

1: Ireland's UN SDGs - Goal 2 Zero Hunger 2024

2: Minister of State Joe O’Brien publishes the Food Poverty Action Plan

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rish cuisine encompasses the cooking styles, traditions and recipes associated with the island of Ireland. It has developed from antiquity through centuries of social and political change and the mixing of different cultures, predominantly with those from nearby Britain and other European regions.

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Currently, Ireland has one of the highest rates of water availability in Europe. However, there is pressure to meet increasing demand due to a number of factors;

There is an imbalance between the places where water availability is greatest (the west of Ireland) and where water is most needed (the east of Ireland);

The antiquity of Ireland's water supply system means that a relatively large amount of water is lost through leakages;

Regardless of climate change, there is now a pressing need to identify new sources of water for the east of Ireland;

Projections indicate an overall decrease in levels of precipitation during the summer months and this will lead to significant decreases in annual effective runoff and the availability of water supply for all sectors;

Critically, for the areas where demand is currently greatest, e.g. the Dublin region, the greatest decreases are expected and this may make the provision of potable water problematic, during the summer months in particular.

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Food Poverty:

One in eight people in Ireland experience food poverty, a situation where individuals cannot afford an adequate and nutritious diet.

Cost Increases:

The rising price of food, influenced by global events like the war in Ukraine and increased energy and fertiliser costs, has put affordable food beyond the reach of many.

Dietary & Health Issues

Unhealthy Diet:

The average Irish diet is rich in cereals, dairy, red meat, and processed foods, with low consumption of fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

Nutritional Deficiencies:

This diet leads to issues like low fibre intake, which increases the risk of disease, and certain cancers.

Chronic Diseases:

Poor nutrition, high in saturated fats, salt, and sugar, contributes to rising rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and heart disease.

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Long Waiting Times:

Ireland is known for having some of the longest waiting times in Europe for public hospital services.

Lack of Universal Primary Care:

The absence of universal primary care coverage means many people face significant barriers to accessing care.

Two-Tier System:

A two-tier system often allows private patients faster access to diagnostics and specialist care, creating inequalities for publicly-funded patients.

Staff Shortages:

The public health sector faces a shortage of healthcare workers, a weakness exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overstretched Hospitals:

Public hospitals often operate at full capacity, with an acute shortage of beds contributing to delayed care.

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Energy

Ireland faces significant energy issues including grid constraints, which limit the connection of new renewable power and contribute to high prices, and slow progress in the energy transition due to complex planning processes and market design. The reliance on imported fossil fuels  creates dependency on global markets and geopolitical instability,

Ireland's actions to address energy issues include a major push for renewable energy, aiming for 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030 through offshore wind and solar projects, and upgrading the national grid to handle this.

Energy is linked to other problems primarily through its production and consumption, which cause environmental issues like climate change, air and pollution and waste disposal. Socially, energy is tied to problems like energy pollution which impacts living conditions and health, and to economic issues through demand, development, and resource depletion

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Some projects

The Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme aims to reduce educational disadvantage. It is a Department of Education and Youth policy.

Under the DEIS programme, schools with the highest number of students at risk of educational disadvantage get extra resources. A number of pre-existing programmes were brought together under the DEIS framework.

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How it shows up: Energy costs are a big issue for many households. An ESRI report found 29% of Irish households were in “energy poverty” (spending over 10% of income on energy) in 2022.[1] This burden falls most on low-income families.

Policies/Actions: Retrofitting home insulation and investing in clean energy to reduce fuel consumption are viable solutions. Ireland’s Climate Action Plan commits €2 billion by 2030 to retrofit homes (especially for low-income households).[1] Targeted supports (like higher fuel allowances or direct energy bill credits) can also protect vulnerable people.[1]

Sources:

1: Irish energy poverty reaches highest recorded rate

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Supply Shortage:

There is a significant shortfall in housing units compared to demand, with annual output failing to keep pace with population growth.

Rising Costs & Affordability Crisis:

Housing prices and rents have surged, significantly outpacing wage growth and making it difficult for many to afford a home.

Increased Homelessness:

The lack of affordable and social housing has led to a persistent rise in homelessness, affecting thousands of people across the country.

Strain on Young People:

Many young adults are unable to afford to rent or buy, forcing them to live with their parents or in temporary situations, a phenomenon dubbed "Generation Rent".

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Ireland has been in the midst of a housing and homelessness crisis for almost a decade, with recent developments escalating at an alarming rate. The recently published report by the Housing Commission has brought to light the profound challenges facing Ireland’s housing sector. The Housing Commission rightly emphasises the need to fully account for the economic and social costs associated with unmet housing needs. These costs of inaction disproportionately affect younger adults, lower-income cohorts, and those seeking housing near Ireland’s main cities. Further, as Ireland’s demographic profile shifts, these effects of unmet housing needs are likely to extend to older demographics as well.

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How does this issue show up in your area and country?

I think in Greystones are not so many problems about food, because is not a big city and the people there doesn't have economical problems for the food, but about all the country, i think there are so many problems about food, for example all the mondays i go with my family to Dublin to give food for the homeless, and we are not the only ones, so many people come with boxes and boxes for give food, but the not everyone got food and not everyone is not hungry, so i think is a big problem in the big cities

What kinds of policies or actions could help tackle the issue?

I think if more people come to the big cities and prepare food for the people with economical problems that can help so much, I think the govern can help as well banning all the drugs and having more security with the drugs, because the mostly people that i saw the mondays in the street are there getting food, because they waste his money with drugs.

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Transport is, by far, the largest sources of energy-related CO2 emissions in Ireland, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) reported that transport accounted for 40 per cent of energy related CO2 emissions in 2022. By promoting shared modes of transport, these measures will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

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Access to affordable housing remains a major issue in Ireland. Rising rents and a shortage of available properties have led to a significant increase in homelessness. According to homelessness Ireland over 1500 people are currently homeless with nearly 5000 children.

Foreign vulture funds can buy up entire housing developments. Central Bank figures show that 47,000 Irish homes are currently owned by vulture funds. Taxing these companies more severely by closing loopholes could help make the market more accessible to first time buyers.

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igh consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is associated with 32 serious health problems, including increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and strokes), type 2 diabetes, mental health disorders, and early death. UPFs are linked to these issues due to their industrial ingredients, additives, and engineered hyper-palatability, which can lead to overconsumption, addictive eating behaviors, and interfere with the body's natural satiety signals.

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How it shows up: Over half of septic tank inspections in 2024 failed, risking local water quality.[1]

Policies/Actions: Ireland needs continued investment in water infrastructure such as to build and upgrade treatment plants, to replace old pipes, and to enforce rules on septic tanks. The EPA has raised grants (from €5,000 -> €12,000) to help households fix broken septic systems.[1] More sewer connections in towns and better maintenance of rural wastewater systems can improve sanitation.[1]

Sources:

1: Over half of septic tanks failed inspection, putting householders’ health and the environment at risk, says EPA.

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How it shows up: Most Irish homes and people are connected. About 94% of households had Internet access in 2023.[1] However, rural areas still lag without fast broadband. For transport, public transit usage is growing strongly: a record 308 million bus, train and tram journeys were made in 2023 (a 24% jump over 2022).[2] Despite this, many people still rely on cars outside cities.

Policies/Actions: To improve networks, Ireland is rolling out high-speed broadband nationwide (National Broadband Plan) so remote communities aren’t left behind. For transport, policies include more frequent bus and train services (e.g. rural TFI Local Link routes) and safer cycle lanes or pedestrian areas to cut car use. Smarter ticketing and travel subsidies can make buses/trains more affordable.

Sources:

1: Digitalisation - Internet Coverage and Usage in Ireland 2023

2: Record highs for public transport passenger numbers in 2023

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Water

Water is a problem in Ireland due to two main issues: water shortages and poor water quality. Shortages are caused by a combination of leaking pipes, increased demand from a growing population, and climate change leading to unpredictable rainfall. Poor quality is a result of pollution from sources like agricultural runoff, untreated wastewater, and physical alterations to water environments, with trends indicating a general decline in water quality

the Water Action Plan 2024, a roadmap to protect and restore rivers, lakes, and coastal waters by addressing pollution from agriculture and wastewater, restoring natural river flows, and investing in infrastructure

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What's wrong with food in Ireland:

There has been high consumptions of ultra-processed foods, a low intake of fruits and vegetables, widespread food waste, and the food industries failure to meet health and sustainability goals. These issues are linked to rising rates of chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes which are health issues.

New research has warned that the Irish diet is rich in unsustainable foods, is causing nutritional and financial problems and is not good for the environment.

Food waste is a big environmental issue. Over a million tonnes of food is wasted annually in Ireland, contributing significantly to the nation's carbon footprint and costing households and businesses billions.

How issues with food in Ireland connect to…

Energy:

-farming in Ireland relies heabvyily on fossil fuels for the machines and transport. Rising energy prices increases food production costs making food less affordable.

-when food is wasted all the energy used to grow, process and transport it is wasted too.

Water:

-livestock and crop farming  consume large amounts of water. Nutrient runoff from fertillizers and manure pollutes rivers and lakes, creating a major issue for Irelands water quality.

-Droughts or heavy rainfall impact crop yields and water availability.

Transport:

-A lot of Irelands food is exported and imports travel long distances increasing emissions and vulnerability to disruption.

-supporting loacal and seasonal foods reduces transport emissions and strengthens community resilience.

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YRE Competition 2023 - Enter Now - yre@eeu.antaisce.org

What is it?

The competition encourages students to investigate a local or national environmental issue and report their findings through a written article, video clip or captioned photo. There is an overall competition prize fund of €1,500 available for the winners.

Who can enter?

The competition is open to groups of students or individuals from all secondary schools involv ed with Green Schools and all third level institutions involved in Green Campus.

What's on offer?

The top 100 shortlisted students will be invited to take part in an online awards ceremony in June 2023 - where the overall winners will also be announced and receive their prizes! Overall winners will be entered into the international YRE competition over the summer where they will represent Ireland.

Send your entry directly to yre@eeu.antaisce.org

Competition Deadline - Friday 5th May 2023

An Taisce Environmental Education Unit

5A Swift's Alley
Francis Street
Dublin
D08 TN88
yre@eeu.antaisce.org

Social

© Copyright Young Reporters for the Environment

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YRE Competition 2023 - Enter Now - yre@eeu.antaisce.org The competition encourages students to investigate a local or national environmental issue and report their findings through a written article, video clip or captioned photo. There is an overall competition prize fund of €1,500 available for the winners.

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Game Changers 2020 Winners

Due to Covid-19, Game Changers 2020 was adapted to become a Home Challenge Competition. However, this did not stop the resourcefulness, ingenuity, and creativity of all the entries. Our Home Challenge saw original board games, card games and digital games submitted from young people of all ages, from all over Ireland.

The games explored the Sustainable Development Goals, including games focusing on climate action, peace and justice, good health and wellbeing and responsible consumption.

Each game was assessed by a judging panel on the following criteria: Understanding, Empathy, Innovation and Effort. The judges were impressed by the standard of knowledge, understanding and gameplay. We had five winning games from both the senior and junior categories, including individual and team entries.
The winners were:

S enior Individual Winner - Micheál O'Shea with his game 'Climate Conquest'.

Senior Team Winners - Rachel Cunniffe, Emily Kenna, Lucy McPartlan, Laura Kenna, Eve Smyth, Ella Wilkinson, with their game 'Climopoly'.

Junior Individual Winner - Samuel Quinn O'Flaherty with his game 'Planetsaver' (digital game).

Junior Team Winner - Laura Kelleher and Anna Murphy with their game 'Fish Away'

Youth Category Winners - Foróige, Ballybane, Co.Galway .PJ Monagan , DJ Mc Donagh, Dylan Ward, Patrick Ward, Jonathan Mc Donagh, Patrick Donovan, with their game 'Climate Justice the Game'.

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Game Changers is a competition for young people who want to change the world and believe games are a way to do this. Young people all over Ireland submit games based on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Secondary School’s Competition - Bord na Móna Recycling

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Calling all secondary schools. Bord na Móna Recycling are inviting entries to our inaugural Secondary Schools Challenge! What is involved? Step 1: Pick a minimum of one U.N Sustainable Development Goal, known as the SDG’s. Step 2: Upcycle discarded items or materials typically considered as waste to solve an element of the […]

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Let me know if some of you would like to go

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Scott Sutherland, Director Codling Wind Park

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Why This Conference Matters To Us – 5th year students from ETSSW

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EU Waste Directive targeting fast fashion and food waste

Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

36,156 followers

October 28, 2025

Tackling food and textile waste is a key step that we can take to achieve sustainability, to help combat climate change, and to support the transition to a circular economy.

The revised Waste Framework Directive sets binding food waste reduction targets to be achieved at national level by 2030. It also introduces measures to establish a more sustainable textile sector. The Directive entered into force in October 2025. Ireland is required to transpose the revised Directive into national law by June 2027.

The food and textile sectors are both resource intensive, and systemic solutions are required to reduce the environmental and climate impacts associated with food and textile waste generation.

National Policy Context

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment will soon be preparing the next iteration of Ireland’s National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap. It is also in the process of finalising its first National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles.

The revised Directive, backed up with our policy approach, will be a gamechanger in helping to reduce food waste, curb fast fashion trends, boost the reuse and recycling of textiles, and reduce the environmental footprint of food waste generation and the textile sector.

Food Waste

The revised Directive also lists specific prevention measures to be taken by Member States to reduce food waste, including:

developing behavioural change interventions,

identifying and addressing inefficiencies in the functioning of the food supply chain, and

supporting cooperation amongst all actors,

supporting training and skills development,

encouraging and promoting innovation and technological solutions.

There is also a strengthened focus on surplus food donation in the revised Directive.

Textiles

In relation to textiles the revised EU Directive contains wide ranging measures aimed to tackle fast fashion and the environmental degradation caused by textile waste.

It contains measures to:

support the separate collection of textiles, and

apply the “polluter pays principle” which will make the fashion industry responsible for its textile waste.

Create an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme for textiles

Such a scheme will support efficient textile collection, sorting, reuse and recycling while incentivising eco-design of textile products. Under this new law, Ireland will be required to have an EPR scheme for textiles established by April 2028.

This revised Directive will facilitate the reduction of environmental and climate impacts of textile and food sectors in the EU, whilst contributing to a more circular and sustainable economy.

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Minister Dillon welcomes EU Waste Directive targeting fast fashion and food waste

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Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, has welcomed the revised EU Waste Framework Directive aimed at reducing food and textile waste, which has come into force.

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Why take this course?

Be a part of the sustainable food revolution! Learn how your food habits and daily choices are affecting your health and that of the planet. Gain the skills and knowledge to make your diet more healthy and sustainable. After completing the course you will be able to:

Explain what is at stake: how your food choices affect your health and the environment?

Make better food choices that consider both human and planetary well-being

Identify ways in which changing your diet makes a positive impact

Develop a personal sustainable and healthy diet plan or project

The course will help you take action to counter climate change and lead a sustainable and healthy lifestyle!

The course at a glance

1. Our Choices Matter

How the way we consume and produce food affects our health and the planet.

2. Better Farming

Why should we pay attention to farming methods?

3. Buying Food Locally

Why should we care where our food comes from?

4. Is Processed Food Bad?

Is processed food always unhealthy?

5. Reading the Labels

How to get the right information for a better food choice?

6. Food Waste and Packaging

When is packaging necessary, when and how can it be avoided?

7. Changing Eating Habits

How to change eating habits for a healthier, sustainable lifestyle?

My Plate, My Pledge

What will you do to improve your health and that of the planet?

Disclaimer

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Be a part of the sustainable food revolution! Learn how your food habits and daily choices are affecting your health and that of the planet. Gain the skills and knowledge to make your diet more healthy and sustainable. After completing the course you will be able to: Explain what is at stake: how your food choices affect your health and the environment?

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SCHOOL IMPACT AWARDS OPEN NOW! REGISTER HERE FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION PACK

Welcome to the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards! After the incredibly successful inaugural awards, we are excited to announce the return of the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 2024/25!

AIB is all about building sustainable communities, and the Future Sparks School Impact Awards shines a spotlight on schools making a real difference in social, financial, and environmental success.

These awards celebrate schools driving change through fundraising, volunteering, activism, and mentoring. Students use their skills to impact their communities while learning and growing.

We're here to honour the talents developed through the AIB Future Sparks Programme and empower schools and students to create lasting, positive change. Join us in celebrating these incredible achievements, you can register here to receive your free participation pack!

Pictured at the launch of the AIB School Impact Awards 2024/25, Students from last year's AIB School Impact Awards Overall Winners, Trinity Comprehensive, Ballymun, with Ryan Marr.

AIB FUTURE SPARKS 2023/24 WINNERS

Why take part?

Make an Impact: Use your skills to positively influence the community.

Develop Skills: Gain new skills in teamwork, communication, and project planning.

Build Values: Learn selflessness, kindness, and the power of community.

Strengthen Communities: Contribute to a thriving, sustainable future for Ireland.

Get Recognitized: Showcase your school's achievements and receive public recognition and media coverage.

Grand total of €25,000 up for grabs!

The prize breakdown is as follows:

for the overall winning school

for Mixed Level/Large Groups (35+ students) for all levels

for Small Groups (2-34 students) at Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle

for Individuals (1 student - any pillar) at Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle

Plus various additional prizes

We know schools are doing outstanding work every single day to contribute to their community so getting involved is easy! To participate, click through these simple steps below:

School Impact Awards Submission Journey

Register Register Your School: here to receive a participation pack, containing students' participation booklet which will help to plan and implement your act of social responsibility.

Identify Your Project: Select a project that highlights your school's positive impact on the community across the three pillars: Environmental, Social, and Financial. Continue reading for ideas, examples, and details on group categories.

Unleash Your Passion: Showcase your school's creativity, passion, and altruism in your chosen activity! Remember to take plenty of photos, tag us on social media @aibireland, and have fun! Projects completed between March 2024 and February 2025 are eligible.

Prepare Your Submission: Tell us about your school's activity, how it aligns with the three pillars of a sustainable community, and the skills students and community members used and developed along the way. Check out top tips from our esteemed judges below!

this Submit Your Entry: Submit your project by February 14, 2025, for a chance to be considered for the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 2025. Use the submission form in your participation pack or submit online using link.

Submissions will be judged by our expert panel. Representatives from shortlisted schools will be invited to a Gala Awards Event in April 2025.

CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS:

What is eligible?

The Awards are shaped around three pillars of sustainable communities:

Any act which contributes to communities in these ways will be considered - think volunteering, fundraising, awareness campaigns, charity drives, activism, mentoring, peer education, skills sharing, and cultural events.

Looking for inspiration?

Biodiversity - surveys, pondlife, wildflower planting, insect hotels

Conservation - reducing food waste, saving water, composting

Reforestation - planting natural trees

Innovation - saving energy, climate change initiatives

Looking for inspiration?

Cultural diversity - events, mixers

Education - mentoring, training, skills sharing

Social inclusion - events, campaigns

Positive mental health & wellbeing

Looking for inspiration?

Financial education - toolkits, workshops, presentations with primary school children, other year groups, parents

Fundraising - local and wider campaigns and causes

Enterprise - social enterprises contributing to the community

Volunteer - as club treasurer, social financial officer, fundraiser

Our Judges' Top Tips

Align with a Pillar: Consider an Environmental, Social, or Financial initiative. Clearly show how your project meets the objectives of your chosen pillar and supports sustainable communities.

Show Impact: Describe your project's reach and impact. Include participant numbers and extent of positive change or long-term effects.

Highlight Skills: Share the skills you used and gained. Mention how the AIB Future Sparks Programme and its skills-based learning resources helped.

Add Your 'X Factor': Make your entry stand out with unique, inspiring elements. Share your story with passion and creativity, motivating others to take action.

About the event

Gala Awards Event

Get ready for The Gala Awards in Croke Park, Dublin, April 29th 2025! The awards will honour shortlisted schools, with principals, teachers, and exceptional students in attendance.

AIB local branch representatives will also be there to show their support. It's a grand celebration of innovation, community impact, and a bright future. Let's toast to building sustainable communities together!

FAQs

To register your school, contact the team at futuresparks@realnation.ie or on 01 522 4880 for assistance. Schools must be registered by a teacher or principal. After registering, schools will receive a participation pack containing more information and student resources to support your school along the way to submitting.

If you already have something in mind, submit here!

Anything that contributes to the community is eligible; the more strongly aligned to one of the three pillars (Environmental, Social, and Financial) the better. This could be an environmental initiative, a social programme, or a financial literacy campaign - among others. For more information and examples register to receive a participation pack with supporting materials.

The prize breakdown includes €10,000 for the overall winning school, €2,000 for Mixed Level/Large Groups (35+ students) for all levels, €1,250 for Small Groups (2-34 students) at Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle, €500 for Individuals (1 student - any pillar) at Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle, plus various additional recognition prizes.

The deadline for submissions is 14th February 2025, but you can submit any time. Submit here.

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Submission Form

School Impact Awards 2024/25

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Skip to content SCHOOL IMPACT AWARDS OPEN NOW! REGISTER HERE FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION PACK Welcome to the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards! After the incredibly successful inaugural awards, we are excited to announce the return of the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 2024/25!

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Magic Invention in Egypt - International Innovation Event

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Magic Invention in Egypt - International innovation event promoting sustainable innovation and climate change solutions. February 2-3, 2026 in Alexandria, Egypt.

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You undertook the ESD course in TY over the course of this year. You now have the opportunity to design the course your think would engage, inform and support young people to explore the interconnections between the environment, economics, society (People-Planet-Profit)