Welcome to the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards!
AIB is all about building sustainable communities. These awards recognize schools
that make a real difference in social, financial, and environmental challenges through
fundraising, volunteering, activism, and mentoring. The awards highlight how
students use their skills to create positive community change.
Pictured at the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 2025/26, Overall Winners Ardscoil Na Mara, Waterford
AIB Future Sparks 2025/26 Winners
Environmental Junior Small Group Winner
Hansfield ETSS, DublinThe "EcoChew" project turned discarded medical bottles into portable disposal keychains, offering a clever, sustainable solution to the problem of gum litter. By collaborating with local councils, the team successfully demonstrated how student-led innovation can shift public habits.
Environmental Senior Small Group Winner
St. Joseph's Secondary School, Tulla, Clare.This project successfully eliminated 15,000 plastic bottles annually and saw the students advocate directly to government ministers regarding national sustainability policy. Their sophisticated, data-driven approach proves that student leadership can drive systemic environmental change.
Environmental Mixed Large Group Winner
Environmental Mixed Large Group WinnerThe "From Awareness to Action" project impressed the judges with its systemic impact, including mentoring 900 primary pupils and installing an innovative anaerobic digester for food waste. These students have set a new standard for environmental leadership and campus sustainability.
Financial Junior Small Group Winner
Collinstown Park Community College, Dublin.The "Financial Survival Guide" addressed gaps in traditional education by creating a comprehensive brochure on essential topics like mortgages and insurance. Their initiative effectively equips students with the tools needed for long-term financial wellbeing.
Financial Senior Small Group Winner
Financial Senior Small Group Winner"Say No to Money Muling" tackled complex financial crime through regional research and the creation of comprehensive teaching resources for the KCETB network. This sustainable framework has the potential to impact over 5,000 students across 13 schools.
Financial Mixed/ Large Winner
Coláiste Bríde Enniscorthy, Wexford.With their "Scam Stoppers" initiative, these students created an accessible booklet on fraud prevention that is now distributed by the Gardaí at community pop-up stations. Their commitment to inclusivity ensures that vital financial safety knowledge reaches every generation.
Social Junior Small Group Winner
St.Louis Secondary School, Monaghan.The "Don't Spread It" initiative utilized peer-to-peer mentoring to educate the school community and local primary pupils on the dangers of vaping. This evidence-based project successfully closed the "information gap" and fostered a culture of informed decision-making.
Social Senior Small Group Winner
St. Bernadette's Special School. The "Caife Le Cheile"inclusive school café broke down social barriers by providing students with certified barista training and food safety skills. This project has created a vital community hub and a long-term legacy of equality and belonging.
Social Mixed Large Group Winner
Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Fethard, Tipperary.The "Good Morning Fethard" project successfully provided a powerful platform for local voices through a professionally produced, student-led live broadcast. This ambitious production engaged the community and garnered over 2,200 views.
Judges Special Commendation
Portlaoise College, Laois.The "Step Up for Our School Bus" initiative raised over €50,000 through diverse community fundraising to ensure all students could participate in extracurricular life regardless of travel costs. This project united local businesses and clubs, strengthening the entire social fabric of the area.
Individual Award Winner
Eamon Walsh, Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Cork.Eamon engineered "Studylite," a specialized digital platform that bridges the "digital divide" by providing high-quality revision materials to thousands of students for free. His initiative models how a single student developer can leverage corporate partnerships to create lasting social equity.
Overall Winner
Ardscoil na Mara, Waterford.The "Ardscoil na Mara Sustainability Hub" transformed the school into a beacon of green innovation through projects ranging from native forest classrooms to an active travel initiative that reduced car traffic by 35%. Their leadership and holistic approach set an inspiring standard for schools nationwide.
Why take part?
- Make an Impact: Use your skills to positively influence the community.
- Develop Skills: Gain new skills in teamwork, communication, and project planning.
- Build Values: Learn selflessness, kindness, and the power of community.
- Strengthen Communities: Contribute to a thriving, sustainable future for Ireland.
- Get Recognitized: Showcase your school’s achievements and receive public recognition and media coverage.
School Impact Awards Submission Journey
Register Your School To receive a participation pack, containing students’ participation booklet which will help to plan and implement your act of social responsibility.
Identify Your Project Select a project that highlights your school’s positive impact on the community across the three pillars: Environmental, Social, and Financial. Continue reading for ideas, examples, and details on group categories.
Unleash Your Passion Showcase your school’s creativity, passion, and altruism in your chosen activity! Remember to take plenty of photos, tag us on social media @aibireland, and have fun! Projects completed between March 2025 and February 2026 are eligible.
Prepare Your Submission Tell us about your school’s activity, how it aligns with the three pillars of a sustainable community, and the skills students and community members used and developed along the way. Check out top tips from our esteemed judges below!
Submit Your Entry
Submit your project by February 13th, 2026, for a chance to be considered for the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 2025/26. Use the submission form in your participation pack or submit online.
Submissions will be judged by our expert panel. Representatives from shortlisted schools will be invited to a Gala Awards Event in April 2026.
What is eligible?
Any act which contributes to communities in these ways will be considered – think volunteering, fundraising, awareness campaigns, charity drives, activism, mentoring, peer education, skills sharing, and cultural events.
Looking for inspiration?
- Biodiversity – surveys, pondlife, wildflower planting, insect hotels
- Conservation – reducing food waste, saving water, composting
- Reforestation – planting natural trees
- Innovation – saving energy, climate change initiatives
Looking for inspiration?
- Cultural diversity – events, mixers
- Education – mentoring, training, skills sharing
- Social inclusion – events, campaigns
- Positive mental health & wellbeing
Looking for inspiration?
- Financial education – toolkits, workshops, presentations with primary school children, other year groups, parents
- Fundraising – local and wider campaigns and causes
- Enterprise – social enterprises contributing to the community
- Volunteer – as club treasurer, social financial officer, fundraiser
Our Judges’ Top Tips
- Align with a Pillar: Consider an Environmental, Social, or Financial initiative. Clearly show how your project meets the objectives of your chosen pillar and supports sustainable communities.
- Show Impact: Describe your project’s reach and impact. Include participant numbers and extent of positive change or long-term effects.
- Highlight Skills: Share the skills you used and gained. Mention how the AIB Future Sparks Programme and its skills-based learning resources helped.
- Add Your ‘X Factor’: Make your entry stand out with unique, inspiring elements. Share your story with passion and creativity, motivating others to take action.
About the event
Gala Awards Event
FAQ
The competition is open to all ROI post-primary schools with students aged 12-19. All entries must be submitted by a teacher within the school. Schools may enter Individual students, a Small Group (2-34 students), or a Large Group (35+ students).
To register your school, contact the team at futuresparks@realnation.ie or on 01 522 4880 for assistance. Schools must be registered by a teacher or principal. After registering, schools will receive a participation pack containing more information and student resources to support your school along the way to submitting.
If you already have something in mind, submit here!
Anything that contributes to the community is eligible; the more strongly aligned to one of the three pillars (Environmental, Social, and Financial) the better. This could be an environmental initiative, a social programme, or a financial literacy campaign – among others. For more information and examples, register to receive a participation pack with supporting materials.
Schools can enter one submission within each of the three categories or ‘pillars’. The three pillars of a sustainable community are: Environmental, Social, and Financial.
The prize breakdown includes €10,000 for the overall winning school, €2,000 for Mixed Level/Large Groups (35+ students) for all levels, €1,250 for Small Groups (2-34 students) at Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle, €1000 for Individual award (1 student – any pillar – Junior or Senior Cycle), plus various additional recognition prizes.
The deadline for submissions is 13th February 2026, but you can submit any time. Submit here.
The submissions will be judged by a panel of experts and professionals in relevant fields, including representatives from AIB, charity and educational organisations. The full panel will be announced later in the year.
AIB is organising the The AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards to celebrate the skills nurtured through the AIB Future Sparks Programme and to empower schools and students to build sustainable communities through positive change. AIB aims to inspire the next generation of changemakers and foster a culture of innovation, responsible citizenship, and contribute towards a sustainable future.