Tullamore students recognised at social enterprise finals

Tullamore College students were recognised for their entrepreneurship at the Just Transition region Social Enterprise Finals held in Leinster House.

Two enterprises from the secondary school received acclaim at the event. A 'Community Hub' entry from Tullamore College won the county award in Offaly. The students designed a space that brings people together through learning, wellbeing and shared community activities.

Judges also awarded a highly commended distinction to a second enterprise offering from Tullamore College called 'Knot Wasted' which saw students create a project tackling wood waste by repurposing materials into practical and marketable products.

The finals brought together standout county-winning projects from Offaly Westmeath, Roscommon and Longford, with students pitching their enterprises to an audience of politicians and senior civil servants.

'Study Den', an initiative designed by Our Lady's Bower, Athlone, students Drishika Gujjaru and Thamizhini Nalin Kumar Balaji was crowned overall winner at the finals.

The Bower students' 'Study Den', which was also announced as the county winner for Westmeath, is an eco-friendly café style study hub offering secondary school students an affordable, supportive space to study, collaborate and access academic support outside school hours.

The overall prize was presented by the Minister with responsibility for Social Enterprise from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Jerry Buttimer.

There were also winning entries announced for student projects from the remaining Just Transition counties, with the event described as "a vibrant celebration of youth-led social enterprise and fresh thinking".

Each county winning team received a €250 prize sponsored by their respective local authorities, while the overall winning team from Our Lady's Bower was also rewarded with a trip to the European Parliament in Brussels, sponsored by Midlands-North West MEP Maria Walsh.

Gabrielle McFadden, Project Manager with Social Enterprise Exchange and organiser of the competition, sincerely thanked all those involved with the competition.

"Social Enterprise Exchange engaged with 500 transition year students and teachers throughout the year in the 'Just Transition' region of Westmeath, Roscommon, Offaly, Longford and Laois," Ms McFadden said.

"This competition would not have been such a success without the support of the individual local authorities, the transition year officers from each council, and the four judges, Steve Dolan GRD, Deborah Tierney Triest Press, Liam Ramsbottom Laois Partnership and Cathal Mahon Roscommon Partnership.

"I also want to thank Deputy Micheál Carrigy and his staff for their contributions to the competition," she added.