Cork Schools Shine on Earth Day with Finalist Projects in Prestigious Environmental Awards

Young climate champions from County Cork have earned national recognition as 23 school groups are named finalists in this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) — announced today (22nd April) to mark Earth Day.

The annual competition, now in its 26th year, honours young people across Ireland who are tackling pressing environmental issues through creative projects and climate action in their schools and communities. Finalists from Cork are among 102 groups from across the island of Ireland who succeeded in the March semi-final ‘ECO-Dens’ and will go on to present their projects at the YEA Finals in Dublin’s Convention Centre on 8th May.

Projects from Cork include:

‘Eco Paper Pioneers’ – Kinsale Community School:
This group targeted paper waste by surveying teachers and creating homemade paper from recycling waste found in photocopying rooms - promoting sustainability through art and design.

‘EcoSensory Adventures’ – Coláiste Treasa, Kanturk:
Combining eco-awareness with community support, this group upcycled household materials to create sensory toys and boards for children with autism, benefiting both the environment and inclusivity.

‘Where have all the butterflies gone?’ – Millstreet Community School:
Focusing on biodiversity, these students investigated butterfly population decline in North Cork, highlighting the impacts of climate change through research and awareness campaigns.

The following Cork schools are among the 2025 YEA finalists:

• Árdscoil Uí Urmoltaigh, Bandon
• Coláiste Treasa, Kanturk
• Gaelcholáiste Mhuire, Cork City
• Glanmire Community College, Glanmire
• Kinsale Community School, Kinsale
• Millstreet Community School, Millstreet
• Patrician Academy, Mallow
• St Mary's Secondary School, Macroom
• St. Mary’s High School, Midleton

Elaine Nevin, National Director, ECO-UNESCO, praised the efforts of the young environmentalists:

Elaine Nevin, National Director, ECO-UNESCO:

“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’. 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.”

She added:

“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!”

The YEA is part of Earth Month, with April dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and action. More than 65,000 young people have participated in the programme since its inception, making it one of the largest of its kind in Ireland.

More information about ECO-UNESCO and the Young Environmentalist Awards is available at ecounesco.ie.