Welcome to the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards! After the incredibly successful inaugural awards, we are excited to announce the return of the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 2024/25!
AIB is all about building sustainable communities, and the Future Sparks School Impact Awards shines a spotlight on schools making a real difference in social, financial, and environmental success.
These awards celebrate schools driving change through fundraising, volunteering, activism, and mentoring. Students use their skills to impact their communities while learning and growing.
We’re here to honour the talents developed through the AIB Future Sparks Programme and empower schools and students to create lasting, positive change. Join us in celebrating these incredible achievements, you can register here to receive your free participation pack!
Pictured at the launch of the AIB School Impact Awards 2024/25, Students from last year’s AIB School Impact Awards Overall Winners, Trinity Comprehensive, Ballymun, with Ryan Marr.
AIB FUTURE SPARKS 2023/24 WINNERS
AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 1st Prize Winner
Trinity Comprehensive Ballymun, DublinCongratulations to Trinity Comprehensive School for their outstanding commitment to uniting their community with over 60 diverse projects.
Large Group Financial Award Winner
Colaiste Abhainn Ri, KilkennyFor their commitment and generosity towards children's health with donations benefiting Oscars Kid’s Club – well done Coláiste Abhainn Rí
Large Group Environmental Award Winner
Colaiste Eamonn Ris, CorkWell done to Coláiste Éamann Rís for their efforts to enhance local biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
Large Group Social Award Winner
Colaiste Naomh Cormac, OffalyCongratulations to Coláiste Naomh Cormac for their passion and dedication and to fostering diversity, inclusion, and community spirit.
Judge's Commendation Social Award Winner
St Mac Dara's, DublinFor their commitment to community care through engaging activities fostering social connections – Well done St. Mac Dara’s Community College.
Small Group Mixed Financial Award Winner
Mitchelstown CBS, CorkA remarkable accomplishment for Mitchelstown CBS with their impactful "Shave or Dye" fundraiser, in support of the Irish Cancer Society.
Judge's Commendation Social Award Winner
St Joseph's Secondary School,DublinCongratulations to St. Joseph’s Secondary School for their exceptional leadership educating the community and trainee teachers on DEI topics.
Senior Small Group Financial Award Winner
Wilson's Hospital School, WestmeathWell done to Wilson’s Hospital School for their 'Comfort Over Crisis' initiative, raising much needed funds for Mullingar Regional Hospital.
Judge's Commendation Financial Award Winner
St Mary's Diocesan School, LouthExceptional work from St Mary’s Diocesan School in their creation of "Drogheda Made Inspiration," a book celebrating local inspirations and raising funds for charity through teamwork and communication.
Senior Small Group Environmental Award Winner
Saint Eunan's College, DonegalFor their commitment to promoting sustainability through idling campaigns and eco-friendly challenges – Outstanding work from Saint Eunan’s College.
Senior Small Group Social Award Winner
Portlaoise College, LaoisCongratulations to Portlaoise College for their dedication to addressing neurodiversity unemployment, the BridgeAbility team launched a fantastic campaign targeting local businesses.
Junior Small Group Financial Award Winner
Colaiste Dún Iascaigh, TipperaryA remarkable accomplishment from Coláiste Dún Iascaigh in raising funds for the Dillon Quirke Foundation, spreading awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).
Junior Small Group Environmental Award Winner
St Mary's Secondary School, WexfordFor their dedication to promoting biodiversity and environmental responsibility – Exceptional work from St. Mary’s Secondary School Wexford.
Junior Small Group Social Award Winner
Coláiste na Ríochta. KerryOutstanding work from Coáiste na Ríochta, who showed true leadership and empathy in initiating a kindness project, fostering a culture of giving back.
Senior Individual Financial Award Winner
Sacred Heart Secondary School, CorkExceptional work from Lauren Eady in Sacred Heart Secondary School For her commitment and proactive efforts in promoting financial literacy.
Senior Individual Environmental Award Winner
Merlin College, GalwayCongratulations to Jerin Akram for her innovative approach to sustainability, pioneering eco-friendly alternatives.
Senior Individual Social Award Winner
CBS, New RossWell done to Michael Ross for his leadership in young men's mental health awareness in this grassroots lead movement.
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: Register here 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 2024 and February 2025 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 14, 2025, for a chance to be considered for the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 2025. Use the submission form in your participation pack or submit online using this link.
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
FAQs
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, €500 for Individuals (1 student – any pillar) at Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle, plus various additional recognition prizes.
The deadline for submissions is 14th February 2025, 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.