The Waters and Communities Special Award, co-sponsored by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), Waterways Ireland and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), is now open for applications. This special award has been a regular feature in the main SuperValu TidyTowns competition since 2017.

To make an application visit: Waters and Communities Award – TidyTowns Competition 2025 | Online Consultation Portal of the Waters and Communities Office

This year, we are encouraging applicants to demonstrate how they have promoted and demonstrated water stewardship in their local waterbody – a local stream, river, estuary, canal, lake, beach or coastal area. We are looking for initiatives where the naturalness of the water body is protected or enhanced through the work of a Tidy Towns group.

Speaking about the 2025 competition, Director of Services for LAWPRO, Anthony Coleman said: “Along with our co-sponsors we once again welcome applications for the SuperValu TidyTowns Waters and Communities Special Award. It is an important to recognise and reward the work that TidyTowns groups are doing across the country and the positive contributions they are making to their local waterbodies.” 

Tidy Towns groups can demonstrate a range of community initiatives along their local waterbodies such as protecting natural river riparian corridors, reducing or eliminating grassland herbicide usage, protecting wetlands, organising litter picks, conservation activities related to biodiversity and heritage, awareness raising activities such as aquatic citizen science events, promotion of angling and water-based activities, and other actions which generate water stewardship.

John Mc Donagh, CEO of Waterways Ireland welcomed the competition: “The most compelling Waters and Communities Award entries show real people coming together to care for their local canals, rivers, and lakes. The applications that stand out share authentic stories of communities reconnecting with their waterways, whether through cleanup efforts, biodiversity projects, or educational initiatives that get people of all ages involved. It’s these grassroots connections that create lasting change for our waterways and the communities that depend on them.”

Applications which demonstrate innovations in nature-based solutions to address local problems or promote protection of high status (Blue Dot) waters, are particularly encouraged.

Commenting on the launch, spokesperson from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said: “IFI is delighted to be involved in the competition with our other co-sponsors. Over the years the competition has highlighted some of the best water stewardship among TidyTowns groups in Ireland. We look forward to assessing the entries in this year’s competition.”

A panel of judges appointed by the three partners, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland, and the Local Authority Waters Programme, will assess each application under the following headings:

1.            Awareness raising (15 Marks)

2.            Community involvement (20 Marks)

3.            Stakeholder engagement (15 Marks)

4.            Project benefits (40 Marks)

5.            Highlights to share (10 Marks)

The Waters and Communities Special Award is open to all community groups. The three partners are committed to the success of this award and provide an annual prize fund of €7,000, which is divided across the four regions as part of the TidyTowns competition. The overall award winner receives €2,000 to support their local project or initiative.

To read about previous winners of the Waters and Communities Special Awards see:

Waters and Communities Special Awards – Local  Authority Water Programme (lawaters.ie)

To apply and to read about other special awards see the TidyTowns website:  www.tidytowns.ie