Laois 'incredibly proud' to be honoured with national award for strides in STEM

Laois County Council have won a national award for the positive impact the Driving STEM in the Midlands initiative has had locally and across the region. 

Midlands Ireland, a project led by Laois County Council, has been honoured with the National Impact Award at the 2026 All-Ireland Community and Council Awards in recognition of the Driving STEM in the Midlands initiative.

This initiative aims to promote science, technology, engineering, and maths education within local communities through programmes like STEM Passport, the hands-on Dream Big initiative which provides apprenticeships and traditional engineering courses to students, and the hugely popular VEX Robotics. 

In February, Rosenallis NS students were crowned All Ireland Champions at the VEX national robotics championship in Cork. The first ever Leinster school to be honoured with the title, Rosenallis NS will represent Ireland at the world championships in St Louis, Missouri this April.

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The Midlands Ireland initiative is a collaborative project delivered by Laois County Council as well as Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils. It is funded through the EU Just Transition Fund. 

The 2026 All‑Ireland Community & Council Awards, hosted by the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) and supported by IPB Insurance, took place on Saturday, February 28 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.

The National Impact Award recognises a project which has had a positive impact on the country as a whole, enhancing the environment, cultural or social activities, transport links, or the economic growth of local and national communities.

Not only did Laois County Council take home this coveted award, but they were also one of the most shortlisted councils across the country in this year's awards. 

Laois County Council's nominations included Best Enterprise & Start-Up Hub for The CUBE Low Carbon Centre of Excellence, Best Community Scale Enhancement for The Poet’s Cottage Café in Camross, Best Housing Regeneration & Urban Planning for the Goldencroft Urban Regeneration Project in Portlaoise, Best Sustainable Infrastructure & Climate Action for Portlaoise Low Carbon Town, as well as Excellence in Sustainable Major Infrastructure Delivery for Portlaoise Low Carbon Town. 

Laois County Council was also shortlisted for the prestigious Council of the Year title. 

Speaking after the awards, Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, said: "We are incredibly proud to have won the National Impact Award alongside our Midlands partners.

"I am equally proud of the breadth of projects that were shortlisted this year. Each nomination reflects the innovation, commitment and teamwork of our elected members, staff, community groups and partners. To be recognised across so many categories, including Council of the Year, is a tremendous achievement for Laois."

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