Meath schools to be represented at ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards
Young climate activists from Kells, Navan and Ratoath are among the all-island finalists selected to go through to this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA), taking place on 8th May in the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.
ECO-UNESCO has announced the YEA 2025 finalists today (22.04.25) to coincide with Earth Day which takes place every year on 22nd April.
Four school groups from three Co Meath schools are among 102 finalists from across the island of Ireland to have succeeded at the semi-final ‘ECO-Dens’ stages of the YEAs last month (March) and who will now go on to showcase their shortlisted eco-projects at the YEAs this year.
They include:
‘Gambling with the climate’, a project from Eureka Secondary School, Kells, which is through to the Climate Change Category of the awards. The group of young people focussed on teaching people about climate change in a productive and engaging way. They created a board game that allows people to learn about climate change at their own pace. By answering questions about the planet to advance in the game, players discover the causes, impact and solutions to climate change.
‘Our Inclusive Multi-sensory wild wall Learning Garden’, a project from Ratoath College in Ratoath, is through to the ECO-Art and Design Category of the awards. The group of young people created an interactive outdoor classroom promoting sustainable development. It provided opportunities for teachers to educate students on the environment and sustainability, while encouraging eco-conscious learners. The garden offers a sensory-rich experience for students in the school’s autism unit, integrating natural elements with art and music to encourage mindfulness and self-expression. The garden promotes sustainability by encouraging recycling, reusing, reimagining waste and fostering a connection with nature.
‘Sustainable Travel’, a project from Coláiste na Mí in Navan, is through to the Transport Category of the awards. The project focused on promoting sustainable transportation to reduce emissions, air pollution, and traffic congestion. The young people explored how cycling, walking, public transport, and carpooling can help create a cleaner, greener future. The project delivered workshops to primary schools, participated in the #SheCycles campaign to encourage more girls to cycle, and organised a school-wide cycle event. Their goal was to raise awareness for sustainable travel, inspiring change and showing how simple choices can create a cleaner, greener future.
The young people from Meath will join over 1,000 young environmentalists from across Ireland for a day of celebration, inspiration, and climate action at the Young Environmentalist Awards.
ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards is an all-island programme that recognises 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. Now in its 26th year, the YEA programme has reached people in every county of Ireland, with a total of over 65,000 young people participating and 6,000 projects entered down through the years.
Commenting on this year’s YEA finalists, Elaine Nevin, National Director, ECO-UNESCO said: “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’ ─ a call to action highlighting the transformative power of renewable energy and its role in creating a more sustainable and equitable future. Earth Day 2025 encourages individuals, communities, and governments to take action by adopting renewable energy solutions, advocating for supportive policies, and participating in local and global initiatives. 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.
“I would like to wish our finalists from Meath 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!”
Further information about the Young Environmentalist Awards is available online here.