Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Ireland’s Greenest Places competition, a feel-good development in breaking news ireland that shines a spotlight on local climate action and community pride. From villages and suburbs to larger neighbourhood initiatives, the nationwide contest aims to recognise places that are making a real, measurable difference to the environment while bringing people together.
Run by The Irish Times, the competition is calling on residents, volunteers and community groups to put forward areas they believe deserve national recognition. Organisers are looking for projects of all sizes, as long as they can show practical environmental results and strong local engagement.
How the competition works
To enter, nominees must complete a short submission of up to 300 words explaining what makes their community stand out and how it contributes to a greener future. Judges will look at several key factors, including:
- Measurable environmental impact
- Ongoing community participation
- Evidence of long-term behavioural change
- Local leadership and shared effort
This makes the contest more than a simple beautification award. It is designed to celebrate meaningful sustainability work, from biodiversity projects and energy-saving schemes to cleaner public spaces and community-led climate initiatives.
New category added for 2026
This year’s format remains close to the previous competition, but there is one notable addition. Alongside awards for Greenest Community, Greenest Suburb, Greenest Town or Village, and the Overall Winner, organisers have introduced a new “Net Zero Hero” category.
The new award will honour an individual whose work has had an exceptional influence on a local environmental project or who has inspired others to get involved. It is expected to highlight the role of leadership in creating greener and more resilient places across the country.
Judges return with familiar and new voices
Former environment minister and former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan is returning as a judge. He said the competition helps show what can happen when communities work together with a shared purpose. According to him, last year’s response demonstrated that positive climate action is taking place in every part of Ireland.
Joining the judging panel for 2026 is biologist, environmental consultant, author and broadcaster Éanna Ní Lamhna. She said the initiative gives well-earned recognition to groups working to improve the environmental quality of the places where they live. She also stressed that practical local action can still make a difference despite growing concern over biodiversity loss and climate change.
Why this matters in ireland current affairs
In a time when much of the conversation in ireland current affairs focuses on pressure points such as housing, transport and the cost of living, this competition offers a different but important national story. It highlights how communities are responding to climate and environmental challenges in practical ways.
The awards also serve as a platform for sharing ideas that can be replicated elsewhere. A successful project in one town or suburb could inspire similar action in another, helping build stronger and healthier communities nationwide.
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What happens next?
All entries will be reviewed by judges and researchers before a longlist is prepared. Over the summer, that list will be narrowed down to a final shortlist, with winners set to be announced in September.
Quick FAQ
- Who can nominate? Residents, community groups and local supporters.
- What is needed? A short 300-word submission.
- What are judges seeking? Real impact, community involvement and lasting change.
- What is new this year? The Net Zero Hero award.
The 2026 Ireland’s Greenest Places competition is a reminder that environmental progress often starts at street level. For anyone following breaking news ireland, this is one of the more hopeful stories of the year: communities taking action, improving where they live, and showing that local efforts can shape a greener national future.
