Celebrations in Knockevin after winning environmental award

Celebrations in Knockevin after winning environmental award

14 June 2023

KNOCKEVIN Special School in Downpatrick is celebrating after winning a major All-Ireland environmental award.

Students from the school beat off stiff opposition to claim top prize in the senior ECO-Health and Wellbeing category at this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards.

Approximately 280 projects by 104 schools or youth organisations were shortlisted for the finals and to showcase their eco-projects.

The Knockevin students took action to improve the grounds around their school with ‘The Enchantment Project.’

Their vision was to create a vegetable garden and flower beds to give them the opportunity to garden and to make the grounds suitable for pollinators.

They also bought wheelchair accessible raised beds which they cared for and also created a team of litter pickers.

They were among 24 eco-projects to receive awards at this year’s competition.

The Young Environmentalist Awards recognise 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 come up with creative solutions to solve environmental issues.

Since it began, the YEA programme has attracted over 50,000 young people and reached countless others with awareness-raising campaigns in schools and communities throughout Ireland.

Elaine Nevin, ECO-UNESCO National Director, said: “We’ve been blown away by the standard of eco-action projects this year, and the sheer breadth of issues being highlighted by young people in Down and across Ireland.

“The awards provide an important opportunity to recognise the action our young people are taking in the fight against climate change. The projects also highlight the tangible impact that simple actions can have on stalling climate change and protecting our planet. 

“I would like to congratulate all of our awardees, acknowledge those who took part in our regional semi-finals and thank all our funders who make this all possible. Each and every project that entered this year’s awards deserves to be celebrated.

“As one of the official Sustainable Development Goals Champions appointed in Ireland, we are in awe of the new and innovative ways in which young people are making a positive environmental difference.

She added: We look forward to continuing to support and empower young people to use their voices and minds to enact change in our society.”