Deadline extended for Laois Community & Voluntary Awards

Laois County Council in collaboration with Laois PPN and long-standing sponsor People First Credit Union have announced that the deadline to nominate for this year’s Community and Voluntary Awards has been extended.

The Community and Voluntary Awards 2025 celebrate the vibrancy and the commitment of Community Groups and Volunteers, which helps positively impact and enrich communities across County Laois. The deadline to nominate an individual or group in the various categories has been extended until Wednesday, September 17.

This year’s categories are as follows:

Arts, Culture & Heritage Award

This award recognises Groups/Organisations who enhance their local areas, by conserving, protecting and promoting the Arts, Culture and Heritage of their local community through collective creative activities. Examples include - Drama, Music, Literature, Arts, Festivals, Conservation, and Heritage. – Sponsored by LCC Arts & Heritage Sections

Social Inclusion Award
This award recognises Groups/Organisations that actively work in a supportive role in their communities and whose aim is to minimise social exclusion and/or help to improve the quality of life for socially excluded groups. Examples include working with the elderly, People with Disabilities, Ethnic Minority, Travelling Community, Young people intransition, LGBTI+ and the Homeless. Sponsored by Laois Partnership Company

Sports Award
This award is to recognise and celebrate groups in our local communities from clubs, and community organisations that go above and beyond in their efforts to promote community sport and physical activity opportunities. This award aims to acknowledge groups or organisations that provide a leading role in their communities to help to improve the quality of life and reduce barriers to participation through physical activity or sports. Sponsored by Laois Sports Partnership

Climate Action Awards
This award recognises communities carrying out awareness initiatives and/or actions that make a positive contribution against climate change. Climate actions can encourage your community to improve the impact of their everyday choices, support local communities and foster a sustainable approach to protecting the environment. Sponsored by LCC Climate Action Section

Best Kept Residential ESTATE Award
This award recognises the hard work and dedication shown in residential areas throughout Laois. It recognises the great pride people have in their own communities. It also recognises the value of our biodiversity, and those who continue to put in a huge effort, on behalf of the places where they live. –Sponsored by LCC Environment Section

The Health and Well Being Award
This award recognises community health and wellbeing initiatives i.e. mental health, sexual health, awareness raising & promotion around medical conditions, disorders, and disabilities, including opportunities for social connections, increased meaningful daily activities, developing confidence and providing a sense of purpose & positive self-worth for citizens in the community. Sponsored by Laois Local Community & Development Committee (LCDC)

Junior Volunteer of the Year Award
This award recognises the outstanding contribution young people throughout the county, have made to their local community. Every community has individuals who are boundless in their energy and determination to get things done.
Sponsored by Laois Volunteer Centre

Each group and individual nominated will be presented with a Certificate acknowledging their contribution to the community and voluntary effort in Laois.

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There will also be award winners and runners up across a range of categories. One of the most anticipated awards each year, goes to an individual, who the judges believe puts in such effort that they can be regarded as somewhat of an Unsung Hero, for the work they do. Individuals can be nominated for the Junior Volunteer of the Year and Unsung Hero Awards.

Do you know someone or a group who deserves recognition for their outstanding contributions? This is your chance to shine a spotlight on them! So, go ahead and get nominating your local community and voluntary groups and individuals.

Nomination forms are available online at www.laois.ie, www.ppn.ie andwww.peoplefirstcu.ie.