ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards

Registration is now open...

ECO-UNESCO is calling on young people (10-18) across Ireland to take part in ECO-UNESCOs Young Environmentalist Awards 2016-17. Registration is now open for Irelands biggest ECO-action programme, the Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA), providing a fun and exciting way to empower young people to build awareness of local and global environmental issues and promote actions to improve the environment for all.

Presentation Secondary School, Tralee
Courtesy of ECO-UNESCO

The YEA challenges young people to come up with innovative solutions to environmental issues and problems. This could be anything from creating a community garden or recycling facility, tackling waste in the community or helping to promote local biodiversity to name a few. One participant this year commented, "By doing the YEA project, we have learned how important it is to recognise environmental issues and to work together to make a difference in our local areas".

Entrants will have the opportunity to pitch their project to a panel of environmental experts in one of the four ECO-Dens (a Dragons Den style event) in each province in Ireland in an effort to secure a place at the prestigious National Showcase and Awards Ceremony in Dublin in May 2017.

ECO-UNESCO will provide free training to all registered groups in their school, youth or community centre during September and October. The training will provide support and advice to the young people in developing project ideas, exploring what is involved in project management and helping to understand the various phases of the YEA programme.

To register your group visit www.ecounesco.ie or for an information pack contact Ji at yea@ecounesco.ie or call (01) 662 5491.

The YEA 2016-17 Timeline

Sept - Nov 2016: Project Registration
Sept - Oct 2016: YEA 6 Steps to Success Free Training
Nov 2016 - Feb 2017: Project Submission
Mar - Apr 2017: Regional ECO-Den Semi-finals
May 2017: Showcase & Awards Final Ceremony