Clara group looking for public votes

Offaly is to be represented at this year’s ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards showcase and ceremony after a project entitled “Wheeling in the Years” by Clara Youthreach was chosen for the finals along with 69 other projects from groups around the country.

The Clara group is now preparing for the final and hoping to impress judges enough to scoop one of ten category prizes. They’re also seeking public support however, with a view to claiming the People’s Choice prize at the final in Dublin’s Mansion House on May 22.

Clara Youthreach is joined in the final line-up by groups from both Northern Ireland and the Republic. While many counties are represented by just one project, unsurprisingly Dublin has most projects - 18 - in the running for acclaim. Seven projects from Kerry have been shortlisted, while five projects from Cork have made the cut.

Four projects from both Roscommon and Galway are in the final, as well as three from Wicklow, Monaghan, Clare, and Antrim. Two projects from Tipperary, Mayo, Louth, Kilkenny and Armagh have been selected for the final, while one project each has been chosen to go forwrad from Sligo, Westmeath, Wexford, Meath, Limerick, Laois, Derry, Carlow, Waterford and Offaly.

Projects have until May 10 to gather public votes to help them claim the People’s Choice award, with shortlisted entries ranging from constructing greenhouses made of plastic bottles, sustainably run outdoor festivals to rooftop city gardens. National director of ECO-UNESCO Elaine Nevin said the standard is such that voters will surely be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing their favourite.

Members of the public can vote simply by logging on to www.ecounesco.ie.