Greener Spaces 2026

Roscommon County Council’s Environment Department has launched the Greener Spaces Competition for 2026, and it is now open for applications. It’s time for Community Groups and Schools to highlight their efforts in enhancing and maintaining their outdoor spaces.

The Environment Department is trying to find the “Greenest” spaces, with prizes on offer for overall winners and special awards.

What is a Greener Space?

A Greener Space is essential for helping people connect with nature and creating a healthier, more sustainable environment within a community or school grounds.  It is managed for litter control, biodiversity, waterways protection and sustainably by community groups and schools. Examples include school grounds, community gardens, orchards, rain gardens, green urban spaces, burial grounds, residential estates or other green community spaces.

It is open to the following categories:

Greener Communities

The Greener Spaces – Communities Category recognises and celebrates community green spaces that are well maintained, environmentally responsible, and highly valued by local people. These spaces encourage a connection with nature, enhance biodiversity, and help create more sustainable communities.

The competition is open to Greener Spaces that are:

• Managed by a community group, residents’ association, or local organisation
• Maintained using sustainable practices
• Committed to litter control, biodiversity enhancement, and environmental protection

Greener Schools

The Greener Spaces – Schools Category celebrates schools that are caring for and developing their school grounds in a way that supports nature, learning, and wellbeing. This category recognises school grounds that are environmentally responsible, well looked after, and actively used by students, staff, and the wider school community.

Greener school grounds help young people connect with nature, encourage outdoor learning, support biodiversity, and promote sustainable behaviours.

This category welcomes both small and large school grounds which can include natural elements, outdoor classrooms, wildlife areas, polytunnels, gardens, orchards, and planted grounds.

This year marks will be awarded for Overall Appearance and Presentation, Litter and Cleanliness, Biodiversity and Helping Poillinators, Reusing Materials and Reducing Waste and Community Involvement.

Action for Pollinators

This category is supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage Local Biodiversity Action Fund.

For green spaces to be good for pollinators, they need to provide food in the form of flowers, shelter for nesting and safety from chemicals. Avoid the use of or sowing packets of flower seeds as they are often not native to Ireland.

How can your Community take actions for pollinators?

https://pollinators.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AIPP-A5-Community-guidelines-2023-WEB.pdf

How can your School take actions for pollinators?

https://pollinators.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/School-Pollinator-How-to-Guide-2022-WEB.pdf

Visit https://pollinators.ie/resources/ for lots of information on how you can help pollinators

Further information and online application form can be found at MyOnline Services - Roscommon County Council

COMPETITION OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS