NORTHSIDE youngsters are being called on to take part in next year’s ECO-UNECSO environmental projects.
The programme, which was described as a huge success among Northside communities this year, rewards young people who create environmental projects in their areas.
“Last year more than 5,000 young people took part in the Young Environmentalist Awards,
? said National Director of ECO-UNESCO, Elaine Nevin.
“The creative, innovative and forward-thinking projects that they produced have had a direct impact on over 200 local communities. The environment is our greatest natural resource. these young people are amazing caretakers, and deserve to be recognised for their efforts.
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She added:
“Young people can have a unique and valuable impact. We’d love to see even more of them get involved and so we’re encouraging teachers, youth groups and young people themselves to contact us to find out how to take part.
“Our goal is to have every community across the island benefit from the hard work these young people do.
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The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards Ceremony takes place in Dublin on May 22, 2013. Last year saw the most successful awards ever.
Green teens from Blakestown Community School in Blanchardstown were finalists in the Senior ECO-Community Development category for their project
‘Hats Off To The Environment.’
The project raised awareness of environmental issues within the school and local community through designing hats made from recycled materials, and producing information posters.
Ms Nevin said that due to popular demand, the registration deadline for the ECO-UNESCO awards has been extended until December 21.
Once registered, participants can seek advice and support from ECO-UNESCO throughout the duration of their projects.
Participants have until February of next year to complete their project in one of ten categories, such as climate change, biodiversity, energy, waste, transport, and eco-health and wellbeing.
Once the projects have been entered, participants will then battle it out in the ECO-Den regional heats to demonstrate how their projects can have a positive and lasting effect on the environment.
Anybody interested in taking part can register online at www.ecounesco.ie or by contacting ECO-UNESCO at 01-6625491.