A group of second year students from Coláiste Cholmcille, Inverin, Connemara have won the national Youth Engagement in Sustainability (YES) campaign competition with their project “Helping Pollinators in the Environment”.
The project involved collecting bottles through the deposit return scheme and using the funds to plant pollinator-friendly gardens in a local pensioners’ area.
The YES campaign is part of the Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) World of Work programme and is sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland. The initiative includes a session exploring key sustainability concepts, after which students were asked to develop a project based on the theme of: ‘How can I make my world a better place?’. The students from Coláiste Cholmcille were also supported on this project by Derrick Curran, Regional Manager for Iarnród Eireann.
Principal of Coláiste Cholmcille , Mr Peadar Ó Sé said, “We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing sustainability and demonstrating creativity and teamwork throughout the YES campaign. Their commitment to making a positive impact on our school and community reflects the values we strive to instil every day at Coláiste Cholmcille.”
Gráinne O’Reilly, Social Sustainability Manager, Gas Networks Ireland said “A heartfelt congratulations to Coláiste Colmcille on their outstanding achievement in the YES campaign! Their project, “Helping Pollinators in the Environment”, stood out for its creativity and collaboration, and the tangible impact it has had on both the school and the broader community. At Gas Networks Ireland we are continuously inspired by the innovative ideas from young students through the YES campaign. The vision and hard work that goes into these entries challenges us to think outside the box and also provides us with fresh perspectives on how we can improve our own practices at work. When we witness such commitment to sustainability, it reaffirms our belief that sustainability is a deeply valued principle here in Ireland. Their efforts are a testament to the positive effect that collaborative partnerships can have.”
Kirsten Barrett, Regional Coordinator, Cork & World of Work Programme Lead, BITCI said “We congratulate Colaiste Cholmcille on their well-deserved success in the YES campaign, sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland. Their project was a brilliant example of sustainability in action.”
