The 26th annual ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) has announced its all-island finalists, with two groups from Tullamore College, Offaly, making it through to the prestigious event. This year’s event will take place on May 8 in the Convention Centre Dublin, North Wall. The ECO-UNESCO 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. • The group from Tullamore College has been shortlisted in the ECO-Entrepreneurship Category for their innovative project that explores the use of grass as an alternative to wood-based paper. • Their project involved investigating the feasibility of using grass as a sustainable material for paper production, reducing carbon emissions, and conserving traditional paper materials. • The group also raised awareness about their project through social media, events, and competitions, promoting their eco-friendly approach to sustainable living. • The second group from Tullamore College has also been shortlisted in the ECO-Entrepreneurship Category for their sustainable fashion project, ‘Rejuvenate’, which creates eco-friendly tote bags and scrunchies from repurposed garments. • This project highlights the importance of reducing overconsumption in the fashion industry and promoting sustainable fashion practices. • The young entrepreneurs behind ‘Rejuvenate’ believe that giving people the opportunity to shop sustainably will encourage them to make environmentally friendly choices. Young people from Offaly will join over 1,000 young environmentalists from across Ireland for a day of celebration, inspiration, and climate action.
The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards has a rich history, reaching over 65,000 young people and 6,000 projects across the country since its inception. This year’s finalists have demonstrated exceptional creativity and initiative in addressing the pressing issues of climate and biodiversity loss. Elaine Nevin, National Director of ECO-UNESCO, highlighted the significance of this year’s theme, ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, which emphasizes the transformative power of renewable energy and its role in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.
She added, “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.

“I would like to wish our finalists from Offaly 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!” said Elaine Nevin, National Director of ECO-UNESCO.

ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards is an all-island programme that aims to encourage young people to take action in addressing environmental issues, promoting sustainable lifestyles, and inspiring change in their communities. The awards ceremony will be held on May 8 in the Convention Centre Dublin, North Wall, where over 1,000 young environmentalists will gather to celebrate their achievements and showcase their eco-projects.
The two groups from Tullamore College, Offaly, will join other finalists from across the island of Ireland to share their projects and demonstrate their commitment to environmental action. The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards is a testament to the dedication and creativity of young people in addressing environmental issues, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements this year.
Young Environmentalists from Offaly are among the all-island finalists selected to go through to this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA), taking place on May 8 in the Convention Centre Dublin, North Wall. •

• The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards is an all-island programme that aims to encourage young people to take action in addressing environmental issues, promoting sustainable lifestyles, and inspiring change in their communities.