Special Award Entry Forms
2026 SPECIAL AWARD ENTRY FORMS
Our sponsored Special Awards are organised in parallel to the main competition and look to reward initiatives focused on improving your community. Entry is open to all TidyTowns Groups as well as other interested individuals or groups. We are delighted to announce two new sponsors under our Special Awards category for 2026.
If you encounter any difficulties accessing any of the special awards application forms, please contact the TidyTowns Unit for assistance by email tidytowns@drcdg.gov.ie or on 01 773 6988 or 01 5391105.
Entry into the Special Awards is purely voluntary and non-entry will not affect performance in the main competition.
Please email your completed Special Award application forms to the correct email address, clearly marked with the title of the Special Award.
No. 1
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AWARD
PRIZE FUND €6,000
Sponsored by Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
The overall aim of the Sustainable Development Goals Award, sponsored by the Department of Climate, energy and the Environment, is to acknowledge the role the SDGs play in everyday life. The awards aim to raise awareness of the SDG goals and to recognise the benefits they offer locally, nationally and globally as a guide to improving quality of life. They aim to achieve decent lives for all on a healthy planet by 2030. Positive, empowering community actions are key to meeting this goal.
When submitting an entry, clearly state in the subject, the name of the TidyTowns Group, location and that its an entry to the SDG Award 2026.
Further information is available at www.gov.ie/sdgs and by emailing SDGS@decc.gov.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 2
GREENWAYS & ACTIVE TRAVEL AWARD
PRIZE FUND €5,000
Sponsored by Department of Transport
The Department of Transport is delighted to sponsor two special category awards, one for Greenway projects and another for Active Travel Projects this year. The provision of walking and cycling facilities in our cities, towns and villages is critical in providing safe and accessible transport corridors connecting our urban centres for pedestrians and cyclists. This infrastructure are public assets designed for use by members of the public to undertake trips for a range of purposes – recreational, commuting, travelling to school and undertaking errands.
These routes can offer an opportunity to the local community to showcase the beauty of their local area through their stewardship endeavours. This special category primarily seeks to recognise the efforts of TidyTowns Groups in relation to integrating built infrastructure with ecological best practices as well as enriching local community assets.
For more details, please contact your local authority or Waterways Ireland.
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 3
Young Persons in TidyTowns Award
Prize Fund €5,000
Sponsored by Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
The Young Persons Award is aimed at the 16 to 24 age group who are actively involved in projects and initiatives of their local TidyTowns group throughout the year. It is not open to schools to apply. Entries should be submitted using the Young Persons Award entry form.
Photographs can be used to support your entry. Entries under the Young Persons Award should demonstrate how TidyTowns groups actively involve young people in the 16 to 24 age group in contributing on an ongoing basis to their local TidyTowns activities, including through their membership of, or direct engagement with, the Groups. Initiatives undertaken by the group to encourage greater involvement from this age group should also be included. The award will be presented to the TidyTowns group whose initiatives have resulted in an increase in involvement from the 16 to 24 age group, resulting in a positive outcome for the TidyTowns group and wider community and demonstrating how young people can have an active leadership role within their community.
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 4
Tiny TidyTowns Schools Award
Prize Fund €5,000
Sponsored by SuperValu
SuperValu are calling on all Primary schools to show all the great work they are doing to improve their school and classroom environments
We all want our kids to understand and experience the wonder of growing their own food and the importance of protecting local biodiversity, so that they can grow up in a healthier world. Does your primary school grow their own fruit and vegetables? Have you rewilded an area for bees and Biodiversity? Have you a dedicated area to pollinator friendly flowers?
We are looking for you to share your food growing and biodiversity projects developed in the school and any future plans to further enhance this topic in the classrooms.
A finalist group from each of the four regions will be chosen, with each finalist group receiving €1,000. The overall winner will then receive an additional €1,000.
For more details see www.supervalu.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 5
Gum Litter Taskforce Award
Prize Fund €8,000
Sponsored by the Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT)
The Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) is a joint initiative between industry and government working to increase awareness of the chewing gum litter issue and to encourage positive behavioural change around gum disposal. Through the national “Bin your gum when you’re done” campaign, the GLT highlights the importance of responsible disposal and supports stronger enforcement of the €150 fine.
Thanks to the continued efforts of communities nationwide, gum litter now accounts for just 7.3% of all litter nationally-the lowest figure to date-with 92% of people reporting that they dispose of their gum correctly.
The GLT would like to reward TidyTowns groups that are delivering environmental awareness initiatives aimed at eliminating chewing gum litter in their area. This award recognises communities who influence responsible behaviour and promote social responsibility for both current and future generations.
For more info, please visit www.gumlittertaskforce.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 6
All-Ireland Pollinator Plan – Local Authority Pollinator Award
Prize Fund €10,000
Sponsored by Heritage Offices & Biodiversity Offices of Local Authorities across Ireland, in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre
Local Authority Pollinator Award aims to encourage TidyTowns groups to implement pollinator-friendly actions in their towns and villages as part of the TidyTowns competition. Wild Irish bees, crucial to the pollination of our plants, trees and vegetables, are in decline – this is because we’ve drastically reduced the areas where they can nest and the amount of food our countryside provides for them. The aim of the award is to reverse this trend by encouraging TidyTowns groups to take simple pollinator-friendly measures in their local area. The Local Authority Pollinator Award supports the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and is sponsored by the Heritage Offices & Biodiversity Offices of Local Authorities across Ireland.
A prize of €1,000 will be awarded in each of the four regions at Village/Small Town category and at Large Town/Large Urban Centre category. Out of these eight finalists, one overall national winner will receive an additional €1,000. There is also a “Best Newcomer Award” with a prize of €1,000.
For more details see www.pollinators.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 7
The Island Award
Prize Fund: €1,500
Sponsored by Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
The Islands award is awarded to the two highest scoring entrants that is an Island not connected to the mainland by a bridge, is cut off daily from the mainland by the tide, is permanently inhabited and is not in private ownership.
No. 8
The Waters and Communities Award
Prize Fund €7,000
Sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland and the Local Authority Waters Programme
The Waters and Communities Special Award aims to encourage community groups to get more involved with their local water bodies by helping to preserve, promote and fully utilise their local natural heritage. It is open to any community group who has shown an appreciation for their water environment and water heritage during 2025.
Examples of water quality initiatives include: championing biodiversity and water heritage; citizen science; promotion of angling; awareness raising events and initiatives; promotion of nature-based solutions; clean ups of local waterbodies; upgrading of amenities.
The Waters and Communities Special Award has an overall prize fund of €7,000, shared among an overall winner, regional winners and regional runners-up.
This Special Award is sponsored by:
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), who are responsible for managing the inland fisheries and sea angling sectors.
Waterways Ireland, who are responsible for the management of inland navigable waterways.
Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), who work with communities to assist them in getting involved in caring for local waterbodies.
For more details, see www.watersandcommunities.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
No. 9
The Climate Action Award
Prize Fund: €6,000
Sponsored by Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
The overall aim of this award is to recognise the impact local communities can make in addressing climate change. The purpose of this award is to celebratecommunities who have taken climate action, raised awareness within their communities and worked collaboratively across their communities to take climate action.
Four prizes will be awarded:
1. €2,000 for the best entry from a large town or Urban centre (category A to D)
2. €2,000 for the best entry from a village/small town (category E to H)
3. Overall runner-up prize of €1,000
4. A special Youth Award of €1,000
Further information is available by emailing climateawards@dcee.gov.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 10
Leave No Trace Award
Prize – €1,000 along with a Leave No Trace trainer for one day to deliver either an Awareness course or workshop, access to online Leave No Trace Resources and promotion across social media.
Sponsored by Leave No Trace Ireland
Now in its seventh year, the Leave No Trace TidyTowns Special Award recognises communities for their significant efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment and the promotion of responsibility in the outdoors. Through recognising these communities, Leave No Trace Ireland seeks to inspire other communities to take extraordinary actions to protect and promote responsible outdoor recreation. Apply today and tell us what your group has achieved.
For more information please see www.leavenotraceireland.org
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 11
Town Centre First Award
Prize Fund €5,000
Sponsored by Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
The Town Centre First (TCF) policy, launched in February 2021, is a cross-government policy that aims to create town centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community. TCF recognises that every town is unique in its challenges, needs and opportunities and lays the foundation for each town to develop, at a local level, their own plan-led path forward. More information can be found on gov.ie – Town Centre First Policy
The TCF Award, sponsored by Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, credits exemplary efforts by towns in driving forward town centre regeneration and revitalisation in line with the policy and recognises the vital role TidyTown groups have in the sustainable development of their communities and the enhancement of our town centres.
For more details, see www.towncentrefirst.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 12
EPA CIRCULAR ECONOMY AWARD
PRIZE FUND €3,500
Sponsored by The Environmental Protection Agency
The purpose of this award is to recognise communities that have undertaken activities last year that support and promote the values of circular economy. In a circular economy, we value resources and products and try to prevent wasting them and to keep them in use for longer. Reuse, repair, sharing of products, waste prevention (e.g. food waste prevention, plastic or other packaging waste prevention) are circular economy activities and may be activities your community has supported. Initiatives that raise awareness of circular economy or support circular businesses within your community are welcome. Work done under the main competition category ‘Sustainability – doing more with less’ can be relevant to this special award. Through recognising these communities, the Environmental Protection Agency hopes to encourage and raise awareness of practical examples of circular economy actions taking place in our communities.
The overall national winner will receive a €1,000 prize, 2nd prize €800, 3rd prize €700 and two runner-up prizes of €500.
Further information is available by emailing cep@epa.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 13
SUPERVALU INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES AWARD
PRIZE FUND €2,000
Sponsored by SuperValu
At SuperValu, we believe that truly great communities are built when everyone is included.
People of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities have something valuable to contribute to making our communities better places to live, work, and play.
This award celebrates TidyTowns committees that are driving positive change by promoting and enabling inclusivity, welcoming and supporting every member of their community.
A prize of €2,000 will be awarded to the TidyTowns committee that best demonstrates how they have championed inclusion through meaningful, inclusive projects and initiatives.
Examples of these can be from one off events activities, communications or changes made to their community.
For more details see www.supervalu.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 14
The Gaeltacht Award
Prize Fund €2,500
Sponsored by Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
The Gaeltacht Award is awarded to the Two highest scoring entrants in the main competition from a Gaeltacht area.
The main entry form must be completed in Irish.
No. 15
Tree Project Award
Prize Fund €1,000
Sponsored by The Tree Council of Ireland
The Tree Project Award is an initiative that values the positive influence of trees on the overall ambience of a town or village. It places importance not only on the initial planting but also on the ongoing maintenance and establishment of trees throughout their lifespan. This award recognises the TidyTowns Committee that through their hard work has fostered an urban woodland atmosphere within their community.
The project may equally focus on the preservation of old and established trees, acknowledging their natural, historical, cultural, botanical, or landscape significance.
The size and scope of the undertaken project, along with the tangible benefits it brings to the community, will be carefully evaluated.
To apply for the award, please use the Tree Project Award entry form and attach at least four images illustrating the conditions before and after the project was carried out. These images will serve as visual evidence of the project’s impact and transformation.
For more details visit: www.treecouncil.ie/supervalu-tree-project-award
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 16
Dementia Inclusive Community Award
Prize Fund €5,000
Sponsored by the Health Service Executive (HSE), National Dementia Service
The HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign aims to inspire everyone in our communities to include and support people affected by dementia.
This award aims to recognise TidyTowns committees who are making positive changes within their community to promote and facilitate inclusivity for people living with dementia. This can include raising awareness for dementia, involving people living with dementia and their families and carers in community activities, creating physical spaces that are accessible for everyone, or developing outdoor spaces that stimulate the senses or lend themselves to reminiscing.
Prize
A winning prize of €2,000 and a runner up prize of €500 will be awarded to the TidyTowns Committees from a large town/urban centre.
A winning prize of €2,000 and a runner up prize of €500 will be awarded to the TidyTowns Committees from a village/small town.
Further information is available by emailing: understandtogether@hse.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here
No. 17
The ‘Dark Sky Ireland’ Special Award
Prize Fund €3,000
Sponsored by Dark Sky Ireland
The overall aim of the award is to recognise practical; community led actions to reduce light pollution and protect dark skies. The purpose of the award is to celebrate communities who have taken action, raised awareness within their communities and worked collaboratively across their and other communities to co-create solutions that protect dark skies at night.
The award celebrates projects that demonstrates how responsible outdoor lighting can promote the UN SDGs identified by Dark Sky Ireland ( SDG Champion Organisation 2025-27)
We are looking for TidyTowns Committees to demonstrate steps you have taken to address the issue of light pollutions, how you have shared information on it, and how you have collaborated in your community and with others to protect dark skies.
One overall prize of €1,000 will be awarded to a TidyTowns Committee for impact and project merit.
In addition, two prizes of €750 will be awarded to two TidyTowns Committees; one from the Large Town/Large Urban Centre categories and one from the Village/Small Town categories.
An additional two ‘highly commended’ prizes of €250 each will be awarded.
For more details, please email: info@darksky.ie or visit www.darksky.ie
Closing date 8th June 2026
See Entry Form here