Do you know a ‘Young Circular Star’ sustainability champion from Donegal?
The Full Circle Awards, launched by Circular.ie, aim to honour individuals and communities who are quietly leading the way in reuse, repair, recycling, and circular living
A new national initiative is calling on the people of Donegal to help celebrate Ireland’s unsung sustainability champions.
The Full Circle Awards, launched by Circular.ie, aim to honour individuals and communities who are quietly leading the way in reuse, repair, recycling, and circular living.
The awards, which close for entries at 5pm on Friday, July 25, are open to people across Ireland who are making a difference through everyday sustainable actions. These might include organising clothes swaps, hosting repair workshops, living zero-waste, or inspiring others in their homes, schools, or communities to reduce waste and embrace circular living.
Among the six award categories is the Young Circular Star, which recognises young people aged 10 to 17 who are passionate about putting sustainable ideas into action. Other categories celebrate achievements in repair and reuse, community initiatives, creative upcycling, lifestyle advocacy, and impactful community campaigns.
Each winner will receive a €2,000 prize and the opportunity to benefit from expert mentoring to further develop their circular economy work.
Claire Downey, CEO of The Rediscovery Centre, said the awards are a way to shine a spotlight on people who are often making a big impact behind the scenes.
“The Full Circle Awards are a fresh and inspiring way to recognise the incredible efforts of ordinary people in Donegal who are doing extraordinary things,” she said. “All across Ireland, individuals and communities are already embracing circular actions, often without even realising it. By showcasing their efforts, we hope to not only celebrate their impact but also inspire others to rethink how we live, keep valuable materials out of landfill, and move toward a more sustainable future.”
The judging panel includes leading figures in sustainability and environmental communications, including writer and broadcaster Manchán Magan, Dr. Dave Robbins of DCU, Jo Linehan of The Sunday Times, Mary Fleming of Change Clothes, Tom Watts of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, and Claire Downey herself.
The Full Circle Awards are part of a wider mission by Circular.ie and The Rediscovery Centre — Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy — to engage and empower people to take part in a more sustainable and circular future.