Welcome to the AIB Future Sparks Student Impact Awards! We are excited to announce the return of the AIB Future Sparks Student Impact Awards 2025/26!
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.
Join us in celebrating these incredible achievements, you can register here to
receive your free participation pack!
Pictured at the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 2024/25, Overall Winners Kinsale Community School
AIB Future Sparks 2024/25 Winners
Junior Small Group Social Award Winner
St. Vincent's C.B.S. Glasnevin, Dublin.The school was recognized for "The Keane and Curtis Podcast Show," which fosters social inclusion and well-being by providing a platform for student voices and strengthening community connections.
Senior Small Group Social Award Winner
Coláiste Nano Nagle, Limerick.The SettleEase app, developed by students Sara Lemos and Danijela Muzdeka, was awarded for its innovative use of technology to empower immigrants and foster inclusivity in Ireland.
Mixed/Large Group Social Award Winner
Coláiste De Lacy, Meath.The school was awarded for their project, "Breathe in the Outside," which created a welcoming garden space to foster social connections among peers.
Junior Small Group Financial Award Winner
Coláiste Bríde Enniscorthy, Wexford.The school's "Money Smart Services" app was commended for its innovative and accessible approach to promoting financial literacy among young people.
Senior Small Group Financial Award Winner
Loreto Abbey Secondary School Dalkey, Dublin.The school received this award for their "RUN4RUMBEK" fundraising event, which raised over €27.5k to provide education and safety for young girls in South Sudan.
Mixed/Large Group Financial Award Winner
Scoil Aireagail, Kilkenny.The school was recognized for a student-led initiative that combined financial literacy with community engagement through a financial literacy book and workshops for the wider community.
Junior Small Group Environmental Award Winner
Coláiste Iósaef, Limerick.The school was recognized for their "Wild Ireland" card game, which creatively raises awareness about Irish wildlife and biodiversity through interactive and educational gameplay.
Senior Small Group Environmental Award Winner
Kinsale Community School, Cork.The school was awarded for their "Renew IT: Bridging the Digital Divide" project, which combined environmental sustainability and social good by refurbishing and donating laptops to a school in Tanzania.
Mixed/Large Group Environmental Award Winner
Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kerry.The school was commended for its "SAVE OUR BAY" campaign, which used a documentary, song, and political engagement to raise awareness about the devastating impact of unsustainable pair trawling.
Judges Special Commendation
Temple Carrig School, Wicklow.The school was commended for its innovative, cross-curricular sustainability project that integrated multiple subjects to develop students' critical thinking and sense of responsibility toward a sustainable future.
Junior Individual Award Winner
Padraic Barry from Ramsgrange Community School, Wexford.This school was recognized for its leadership in driving the "Not Around Us" anti-vaping campaign, making it school a model for the initiative.
Senior Individual Award Winner
Sean Boyle from Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Donegal.This school was awarded for the project, “Guide to First Aid: A Community Care Handbook," which taught first aid and CPR to the community and raised €2,000 for charity.
Overall Winner
Kinsale Community School, Cork.The school was chosen for their exceptional leadership and environmental vision, demonstrated across multiple projects including "H2O Heroes," "Renew IT," and the "Primary School COP Conference."
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 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 using this link
Submissions will be judged by our expert panel. Representatives from shortlisted schools will be invited to a Gala Awards Event in March 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.