Start a TidyTowns Group

How do I start a TidyTowns group?

Good question!  We have developed a TidyTowns handbook, designed to give advice on setting up your local TidyTowns group. The handbook also contains information and recommendations on all 8 categories of the competition. This is affectionately known as the “bible”!

It contains valuable guidance provided by our panel of TidyTowns Adjudicators. We recommend anyone starting a group to access our handbook, as well as contacting their local authority, who also provide support for voluntary community groups such as TidyTowns. As TidyTowns groups are great networkers we would also suggest you contact your local or nearest TidyTowns group regarding starting a TidyTowns Group and they may be able to give you some valuable information and tips.  Our map shows almost 1,000 active TidyTowns groups nationwide!

The SuperValu TidyTowns Competition has become Ireland’s most well-known and popular local environmental initiative. The primary focus of TidyTowns is to encourage communities to improve their local environment and make their area a better place to live, work and visit, creating a ‘sense of place’ for people.  TidyTowns groups up and down the island of Ireland, contribute to their communities in practical and creative ways to improve their towns and villages. The TidyTowns Unit in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht administer the competition in conjunction with SuperValu, the long-time sponsors of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition. We are always happy to hear from groups who wish to enter.  However, we can’t give any contact details of TidyTowns Groups as they are covered under GDPR guidelines.   Local authorities may have a dedicated person working with TidyTowns Groups in the county.

Entering the SuperValu TidyTowns Competition

Who can enter?

To enter the competition, an entrant must be a body entering on behalf of a town, village, island or stand-alone area (“town”) and should be working towards being broadly representative of all sectors residing or working in the town. It is not open to housing estates or residents’ association.  The Local Authority may run a competition for housing estates or residents’ association. The first step is to keep your village/town, clean and tidy – other initiatives can be introduced once the foundations have been laid!

How does a TidyTowns group enter?

The SuperValu TidyTowns competition is launched each year, usually around March, with the closing date in May.

Following the launch, SuperValu TidyTowns entry forms and special awards entry forms are available on our website. An information booklet is also available, which outlines the terms and conditions of the competition.  We recommend each group entering reads this booklet closely.

There are usually 14/15 Special Awards competitions organised in parallel to the main competition. These are open to any voluntary group to apply, not solely TidyTowns groups. These special awards look to reward initiatives focused on improving your community.

How do I complete the entry form?

There are several things to consider when completing the entry form – this webinar should point you in the right direction . It is important to remember, when completing an entry form, the TidyTowns Adjudicator will be able to make recommendations for your area for the future.

We ask groups to submit a map of their area with their application form.   A hand drawn map is perfectly acceptable, the map should be of a manageable size, A4 or A3. On the map, please name all streets and roads and mark the key public buildings and landmarks. All new projects should be keyed to the town or village map, ensure each project is given the same number on your entry form as your map.  We ask TidyTowns Groups not to submit a Google Map because they are not useful to the Adjudicator.

Do remember that your Adjudicator may not have visited your village before and therefore local knowledge assumptions should not be made when completing the Entry Form and Map.  Absolute clarity is of key importance.

Completed entry forms should be downloaded from our website, completed and saved in a Microsoft Word or PDF document and then emailed to TidyTowns@drcdg.gov.ie. Once registered, the website is regularly updated with lists of registered entries.

Adjudication usually takes place in June and July each year.  The results are then announced at National awards ceremony in the Autumn each year.  Please keep an eye on our website for more information.