Young people in Carlow continue to be passionate environmental activists a quarter of a century on

What do young people today have in common with young people 25 years ago?

Young people in Carlow are as concerned today about our environment and are still eager to take action and raise awareness about environmental issues.

Since the inception of the Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) 25 years ago, young people have been committed to protecting the environment for present and future generations.

The work of young people who raise environmental awareness and improve the environment is celebrated by ECO-UNESCO – Ireland’s leading environmental education youth organisation.

ECO-UNESCO has opened its Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) programme for entries, marking its 25th year in existence, and is calling on young people in Carlow to get involved and enter the Young Environmentalist Awards 2024.

Since it began, the Young Environmentalist Award has engaged more than 60,000 young people, recognising those who are raising awareness of environmental issues in the community.

2024 YEA entries now open

Registrations for the Young Environmentalist Awards 2024 are now open.

Entries are invited across 13 categories including climate change, biodiversity, water, energy, transport, marine life and waste. Projects entered are required to show that young people have taken action that protects the environment in some way and also raises awareness in the community.

Entries are welcome from young people in aged 10-18-years across Ireland, in primary and secondary schools, youth groups, community groups and Youthreach Centres.

Commenting on the awards Elaine Nevin, National Director, ECO-UNESCO said:

"This year marks a significant milestone for ECO-UNESCO and the Young Environmentalist Awards as we celebrate 25 years of the awards programme. Looking back on the entries over the last 25 years, the environmental issues from when we first started are still as relevant today.

"Young people in Carlow have been raising their voices about environmental issues including biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change for over two decades, coming up with tangible solutions to address the crisis we are facing and finding ways to have an impact in their own communities.

"The awards provide an important opportunity to recognise the action our young people are taking in the fight against climate change and other areas of environmental concern. We also know that young people are becoming more anxious about environmental issues and the Young Environmentalist Awards provides an important opportunity for young people to feel they can make a difference.

"Coming into our 25th year, we want the awards to be bigger and better than ever, impacting more young people, their communities and their environment. 

"We have worked with more than 60,000 young people from all across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland who have had a direct and positive impact on improving our environment, and on making our world more sustainable through their action projects each year.

"We want as many young people in Carlow as possible to get involved in this year’s awards.  The YEA programme is a fun and exciting way to empower young people to become better citizens, to build awareness of environmental issues in the community and promote local actions and lifestyle changes to benefit the environment.

"As one of the official Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Champions in Ireland, I’m delighted to open the registrations for Young Environmental Awards programme for 2024. We look forward to seeing the innovative ideas from young people in Carlow and across Ireland in this year’s awards."

Further information on the awards, and how to enter can be accessed here.