TWO local groups have been given awards at the Live Here Love Here Community Awards 2026.
Crossgar Village Greens received the Bright Future Award at the awards ceremony at Belfast City Hall on Thursday, while the Heart of Down Red Squirrel Group was a runner-up for the Regional Champions Award.
The Live Here Love Here Community Awards are delivered in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, local councils and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and managed by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.
They recognise outstanding voluntary action tackling some of our most pressing environmental challenges, including littering, biodiversity loss, neglected spaces and climate change.
Hosted by TV presenter Joe Mahon, this special awards event brought together community volunteers, council representatives, environmental organisations and partners to celebrate the vital role local people play in caring for Northern Ireland’s natural and built environment.
Crossgar Village Greens were delighted to win the Bright Future Award, which is given to new community groups that have shown exceptional enthusiasm in environmental volunteering.
Meeting fortnightly, the group carries out litter picks, maintains planters and floral displays, and delivers a range of biodiversity projects supported by Live Here Love Here.
Their ‘A River Runs Through It’ project has transformed key public spaces, creating vibrant wildflower areas, improved river habitats and welcoming green spaces that inspire community pride and environmental stewardship, a spokesperson for the awards said.
In being named the runner-up for the Regional Champions Award, the Heart of Down Red Squirrel Group was praised for its outstanding conservation work.
The group uses detailed surveys, habitat support and community engagement to significantly boost red squirrel numbers across County Down, becoming a vital force for local wildlife protection and community pride, the award spokesperson added.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council chairperson Philip Campbell offered his congratulations to the local groups on their success at the awards.
“The work carried out by these groups and volunteers show how local action can make a real and lasting difference to our environment,” he said.
“Thank you to all of you for your efforts to care for our environment. As well as strengthening our biodiversity, you are inspiring
pride, connection and positive change across Newry, Mourne and Down.”
Lynda Surgenor, Live Here Love Here manager, said that the local groups celebrated at the awards
“show that community-led environmental action really does make a difference”.
“When communities get involved, positive change really does grow from the ground up,” she said.
