Cork Champions Sought for Ireland's First Full Circle Awards

New national awards scheme launches hunt for Cork's unsung heroes of sustainable living, with €2,000 prizes up for grabs

Cork residents are being invited to nominate their local sustainability champions for Ireland's inaugural Full Circle Awards, a new national celebration of the country's circular economy heroes.

The awards scheme, launched by The Rediscovery Centre, Ireland's National Centre for the Circular Economy, is seeking to recognise ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their communities through repair, reuse, recycling, and sustainable living practices.

Claire Downey, CEO of The Rediscovery Centre, said:

"The Full Circle Awards are about recognising everyday heroes from across the country who repair, reuse, and rethink how we live. We all know someone living sustainably, even if they wouldn't describe themselves as 'circular'. These awards celebrate the ordinary people in Cork doing truly extraordinary things. It might be a grandmother teaching her grandkids how to sew and mend clothes; a teacher showing their students DIY repair skills; or a group of neighbours who have come together to share garden tools. The work Cork Repair Café do is an excellent example of an initiative supporting circular living that is happening locally."

The competition features six categories, each carrying a €2,000 prize plus expert communications mentoring for winners' circular initiatives. Categories include Repair and Reuse Champion, Community Circular Champion, Creative Circular Artist, Circular Living Advocate, Best Community Campaign, and Young Circular Star for under-18s.

Downey added:

"People across the country are already taking circular action and, through these awards, we want to shine a light on their work and inspire even more change."

A distinguished judging panel will evaluate entries, chaired by Irish writer and television programme maker Manchán Magan. Other panel members include Dr Dave Robbins from Dublin City University, Jo Linehan from The Sunday Times Ireland, Mary Fleming from Change Clothes, Tom Watts from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, and Claire Downey.

Nominees must be Ireland-based and not employed full-time in professional sustainability roles. The Young Circular Star category requires parental consent for those aged 10-17. Nominators must have personal knowledge of their nominee's contributions.

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on Friday, 25th July 2025. Submissions can be made at www.circular.ie/full-circle-awards.