Eco-heroes from Letterkenny honoured at finals of Young Environmentalist Awards

Two eco-projects by students from Errigal College and Loreto Convent claimed prizes at this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA).

The awards took place last Thursday, May 8, in the Convention Centre Dublin.

The Letterkenny students were among more than 1,000 people who attended the major event, at which over 100 competing projects were showcased. In total, 65 schools and youth organisations in 28 counties across Ireland were represented.

“Marine Litter Project”, Errigal College, Letterkenny, was the Overall Senior and Senior Waste category winner. For the project, the group led a campaign titled ‘Bottle Back’ aiming to tackle single-use plastic waste and raise awareness of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, with on-campus messaging and by creating an original song and music video that has achieved over 5,000 views online. The winning group is due to take the ‘Bottle Back’ campaign to a partner school as part of an upcoming Erasmus trip.

“Smart Water Monitor”, Loreto Convent, Letterkenny, was the winner in the Senior Water category. The group developed a sensor-based system that monitors total trihalomethanes (THMs), turbidity, pH, oxygen levels, chlorine, and temperature. The sensor-based system aims to improve water management by tackling issues like water contamination, leaks, and wasteful consumption.

Photographed receiving their award at the Young Environmentalist Awards Ceremony were young people from Loreto Convent, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Photo: Brian Morrison

Now in their 26th year, the Young Environmentalist Awards recognise 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.

Congratulating the award finalists and winners, national director of ECO-UNESCO, Elaine Nevin said: “I’d like to congratulate our award winners from Co Donegal and everyone who took part in the regional semi-finals and express our gratitude to the funders who make this possible year after year. 

“Every project submitted this year deserves recognition, and it’s inspiring to see such passion and creativity in young people as we continue supporting youth-led environmental action across the island of Ireland.”

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Commending the winners and runners-up, the event’s special guest, the Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain said: “The Young Environmentalist Awards showcase the passion and dedication of Ireland's young people in tackling some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The finalist’s projects showcased today are thoughtful, impactful and a reminder that meaningful change often starts at a local level. I am delighted to support and celebrate their achievements.”

Further information about the awardees is available at www.ecounesco.ie/young-environmentalist-awards.

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