Meet the Winners

The winners of Young Social Innovators Awards 2025 were announced on 13th May in an Awards Ceremony hosted by John Sharpson during an event at the Aviva Stadium that saw over 250 teenage changemakers receiving YSI awards across different categories recognising their ideas and actions for a better world.

All of our finalist teams presented their inspiring social innovation projects for bringing about positive change in their communities, spanning a diverse range of issues aligned to YSI’s pillars of People, Communities and the Environment, all addressing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Congratulations to all of the award winners in 2025!

Young Social Innovators of the Year 2025 Gold Award Winners

The winning team for the Gold Award is an outstanding example of youth-led climate action and entrepreneurship. By turning discarded grass clippings into a sustainable paper alternative, they're tackling the issue of deforestation, carbon emissions and waste. From paper bags to wearable jackets, they've shown the potential of this innovative material and brought us one step closer to a more sustainable tomorrow.

Young Social Innovators of the Year 2025 Silver Award Winners

The winning team for the Silver Award were passionate about shedding the light on the issue of filtered content, deepfakes and unrealistic social media standards. Their Media Module, developed with Jigsaw, is helping young people build digital resilience and self-confidence., making a real difference in the area of mental health and media literacy.

Young Social Innovators of the Year 2025 Bronze Award Winners

The winning team for the Bronze Award were determined to raise awareness of Lyme disease and provide practical tick removal kits, helping protect communities in high-risk areas. Their education campaign, kits and media outreach have already made a difference and provided a practical response to a growing health issue.

Sustainability For Our Planet Award
 

The winning team for the challenge Sustainability For Our Planet gets their community moving by promoting cycling, cleaner air and active lifestyles. With app concepts, petitions and events, they're making sustainable travel rewarding and fun. Small wheels, big impact.

Making Our World a Safer Place Award  

The winning team for the Challenge  Making our World a Safer Place tackled the issue of domestic violence, raising awareness, funds and voices through podcasts, fashion shows and ongoing SPHE support. These brave young people prove that silence help no one and action helps everyone.

Healthy Connections Award

The winning team for the Challenge, Healthy Connections is encouraging young people to unplug and reconnect  - with wellness journals, awareness campaigns and workshops. Less screen time, more real time.

Healthy Lives & Sexual Health Award Winners 

The winning team for the Challenge, Healthy Lives & Sexual Health help young athletes avoid burnout by syncing calendars across schools and clubs - so they can rest, recover and thrive in sports. Balance builds champions!

Planet Protectors Award

The winning team for the Challenge Planet Protectors are teaching the next generation how to recycle, compost and grow their own food. They're doing it thorugh play, planting and creativity - rooting for a greener future.

Open And Equal Communities Award

The Open and Equal Communities Challenge winners tackle the issue of gender inequality in sport by empowering hundreds of young girls to pick up a camán and play - because inclusion begins on every pitch.

Brighter Futures Award

The winning team for the Challenge, Brighter Futures, are dedicated to helping students prepare for adulthood with practical knowledge, know-how and real-world tools. They've created an educational programme for their peers, covering topics slike budgeting and interview prep. Future-ready today. 

Push Back on Poverty Award

The winning team for the Challenge, Push Back on Poverty, are addressing the issue of period poverty from Ireland to Lesotho. Through reusable sanitary pads, training and advocacy, this team is addressing this important topic with empathy, courage and action. Every flow deserves dignity.

High Impact Award

The winner of the High Impact Award was passionate about raising awareness around the issue of racism and race-based inequality, both globally and in Ireland. They felt strongly about promoting inclusion and equality by reinforcing the message that there is only one race, the human race. By running an education campaign, the team set out to help people understand what racism means so that they have the knowledge to recognise racist speech and behaviour and to call it out. Watch a video about their project here.

Advocacy Award

The winners of the Advocacy Award - Revive Our Roots - are reconnecting young people with the Irish language and culture through social media, music, local campaigns and petitions. Their creativity and passion are helping to revive a proud national identity in everyday life. A brilliant example of youth-led cultural advocacy.

Advocacy Award

The Lesley Project, awarded the Advocacy Award, is breaking the silence around domestic abuse through awareness campaigns, education, and a partnership with OSS Cork. Their bravery in tackling such a vital issue is both moving and powerful, and the team creates change by speaking up.

Advocacy Award

Get Voting - the winners of the Advocacy Award, are promoting political education and youth participation through school programmes, mock elections and community outreach. Their ambition is to see political education included in the national curriculum, because democracy begins with knowledge.

Advocacy Award

Awarded with the Advocacy Award - HOPE: Homes Over Profit Everytime - are raising awareness of homelessness, particularly for women, through creative campaigns, workshops and policy advocacy. Their work highlights the need for dignity, equity and long-term solutions for the issue of homelessness. This project is a beautiful example of youth advocacy with heart and purpose.