ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards

Saint Catherine’s College Achieve Success at ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 

Saint Catherine’s College has earned national recognition after a remarkable triumph at the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards National Finals, held at the RDS on Tuesday, 12 May.

Competing against more than 340 projects involving over 7,000 young people from across Ireland, seven dedicated members of the St. Catherine’s Eco-Club emerged as national leaders in environmental activism and sustainable innovation.

The talented team — Olivia Horner, Raya Houlahan, Stephanie McGrane, Emily Hughes, Eilis-Mairead McGrane, Ella Rose Sands and Katie-May Traynor — impressed judges with their powerful project: Wear Your Values – The Sustainable Showdown.

The student-led initiative tackled one of the world’s fastest-growing environmental issues: the global fast fashion crisis. Beginning with a large-scale school survey involving more than 1,000 pupils, the group uncovered what they described as a “consumption contradiction” — while 90 per cent of students expressed concern about climate change, over half admitted to purchasing fast fashion items every month.

Determined to turn awareness into action, the Eco-Club launched a major educational campaign throughout the school community. Team members delivered awareness assemblies to more than 40 form classes, while also driving an engaging online campaign through the Geography Department’s Instagram platform: @stcatsgeog.

The highlight of the project was The Sustainable Showdown fashion event, where more than 50 student models showcased outfits created entirely from upcycled, vintage and second-hand clothing. The event demonstrated that sustainable fashion can be both stylish and accessible, while encouraging young people to rethink their shopping habits.

The project also had a significant social impact beyond environmental awareness. Funds raised through the fashion show were donated to Women’s Aid, while the initiative also supported Saint Catherine’s College’s ongoing journey towards the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award Gold Award by promoting global citizenship and highlighting children’s right to a healthy environment.

As part of their advocacy work, the students also wrote directly to Environment Minister, Andrew Muir to encourage stronger environmental action and policy support around sustainable fashion and waste reduction.

Their efforts received the highest national praise at the awards ceremony, where the team secured two prestigious honours: the National Waste Category Award and the National Overall Junior Category Award — the top national accolade for their age group. This is the second time St Catherine’s College has scooped this prestigious and significant award.

In recognition of their achievement, the students were awarded a €500 development fund from ECO-UNESCO to support future environmental initiatives.

The Eco Club Team have gone on to achieve even further environmental accolades, being awarded Green Flag status once again and now have also been named ‘Eco School of the Year!’ Selected by the Eco Schools Team and the Live Here Love Here panel this prestigious honour recognises St Catherine’s long term commitment to environmental education and sustainability. Out of the 288 schools awarded Green Flag status, St Catherine’s were honoured to be named ‘Eco School of the Year!’ 

Teachers and the whole school community have praised the group for demonstrating exceptional leadership, creativity and commitment to positive change. Their success not only highlights the growing importance of youth environmental activism, but also places Saint Catherine’s College firmly at the forefront of sustainability education.

Back row(L-R) Katie-May Trainor and Emily Hughes. Front row (L-R) Raya Houlahan, Ella Rose Sands, Eilis-Mairead McGrane, Olivia Horner and Stephanie McGrane.