ECO-UNESCO hosts this year’s Young Environmentalist Awards in virtual ceremony

Pictured at the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards in the Mansion House, Dublin 2 are Sadhbh Connolly, Dylan Maher and Isabella Watanabe all aged 12 from Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh, Castletroy in Limerick Picture: Marc O'Sullivan
YOUNG eco-activists from Limerick have reached the final of this year’s Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA). Hosted by ECO-UNESCO, the winners will be announced virtually at the YEA virtual ceremony on the 26th of May.
The Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) is an all-island programme that recognises and rewards young people aged 10-18 who have taken environmental action and come up with innovative solutions to environmental issues. Over 200 projects applied to the YEA programme this year. Despite Covid-19 interruptions, young people continued to work on their projects at school, at home and during youth clubs in an effort to tackle climate issues.
Young people from Coláiste Nano Nagle have made it to the finals of the Senior Waste Category for their ProjectPlastic Seas. They have investigated the litter in our oceans and conducted a survey to all students in their school to create awareness on the topic and hope to become plastic free this year.
Elaine Nevin, Director of ECO-UNESCO said “We are so proud of the projects that have been submitted this year and the efforts these young people have made to create awareness and make a positive environmental difference. It is these individuals that are shaping a better future for our planet and we are so excited to announce our winner’s at this year’s ceremony.”
Elaine continued “To celebrate this youth eco-activism we are holding a week-long celebration of virtual events, talks and workshops for any young people  who’d like to get involved.”
An event that usually brings schools and community groups together from all over Ireland to showcase their projects, will be a week-long celebration for the second year. ECO Week 2021 will be held from 24th to 28th May and will include a range of environmental workshops, well-being activities, talks, and challenges for young people alongside the YEA Winner announcements.
The aim of ECO Week is to celebrate the achievements of young activists, to allow young people to explore career opportunities in environmentalism and to educate them on a range of environmental topics.
The YEA Showcase is taking place virtually in www.ecounesco.ie where you can see all our fantastic Young Environmentalists projects.
The YEA Ceremony will take place on Wednesday 26th May on ECO-UNESCO’S YouTube Channel – ECO-UNESCO Ireland in a live transmission at 2pm. For more information on the Young Environmentalist Awards please go to www.yea.ie
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