Media Release 14 November 2016
Young Environmentalist Awards Road Show is coming to Northern Ireland
Only two weeks left to enter Ireland’s biggest Eco-Competition!
There’s only two weeks left to register for the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2017. Ireland’s environmental and youth organisation are inviting all young people across Ireland and Northern Ireland to enter Ireland’s biggest ECO-Awards scheme for young people!
Now in its 18thyear, the Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) is open to young people aged 10-18 years old across the island of Ireland who want to take action to protect their environment. This exciting programme sees groups from schools, youth and community organisations come up with real solutions to environmental issues, often benefitting their schools, communities and having impact on global environmental issues. Groups can register online on the ECO-UNESCO website or call their office.
A ‘YEA Road Show’ will be travelling around towns in Northern Ireland over the coming week to inspire and support young people to start their very own eco-action projects. The training will be provided to all registered groups free of charge.
Last year, over 4,000 young people entered Ireland’s biggest celebration of youth ECO-action. There were hundreds of project entries ranging from creating and selling organic and eco-friendly beauty products, to delivering environmental workshops in schools, to building community gardens, to lobbying politicians for change. 80 groups went on to attend the prestigious Young Environmental Awards Final Ceremony on 18th May at the Mansion House in Dublin.
“Each year I am so inspired and uplifted by the innovation and passion of young people all across Ireland and so impressed with the quality of the projects that they carry out. Last year we received the highest number of entries from Northern Ireland, and I hope that this year will be no exception! I’m looking forward to many more outstanding projects”, commented Elaine Nevin, National Director of ECO-UNESCO.
Participants can submit their project in one of ten categories that include Climate Change, Biodiversity, Energy, Waste, Community Development and Art and Design. Once registered, entrants have until the end of February 2017 to complete their project, before entering the heat of the ECO-Dens in March-April to pitch their project to the judges for a coveted place in the prestigious Final in May.
Teachers and youth leaders can register groups of 2-25 young people by visiting or by contacting ECO-UNESCO at +353 1 6625491 or .
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For further information, please contact:
ECO-UNESCO’s YEA Programme Coordinator: Ji Hyun Kim
E. T. +353 1 6625491
For photos or to arrange an interview: Lisa Wilson
E: Tel 01 6625491
Notes to Editor:
About ECO-UNESCO
ECO-UNESCO ( is Ireland's environmental education and youth organisation. The organisation aims to raise environmental awareness, promote the protection and conservation of the environment, and promote the personal development of young people. ECO-UNESCO is affiliated to the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA). ECO-UNESCO is a registered charity (CHY 7225)
About The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards
ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards is an awards programme that empowers young people to become better citizens, build awareness of environmental issues and promote simple lifestyle changes to improve the environment.
The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards is supported byDepartment of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Department of the Children and Youth Affairs; the Environmental Protection Agency, Dublin City Council, Enrich, Alupro Ireland, Concern Worldwide and a number of local authorities island-wide.
YEA 2016 Winners:
Drumcree College(Armagh) “Habitats for Biodiversity”won Junior Biodiversity Award
Teach nanDaoine FamilyResource Centre (co. Armagh) “Operation Eco Park” won Junior Eco-Art & Design
Lismore ComprehensiveSchool (Armagh) “Beauty and the Beads” won SeniorMost Passionate Award
Key Dates:
Registration Deadline: November 25th 2016
Project Submission Deadline: February 24th 2017
ECO-Den Semi-Finals: March-April 2017
National Showcase and Awards Ceremony: May 2017
Interview Opportunity:
Elaine Nevin, National Director of ECO-UNESCO is available for phone interviews on the environmental work of young people in Irish youth groups and schools. Interviews with previous winning or shortlisted groups in your area can also be arranged.
For more information on ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards visit
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