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People in the Newry area are being encouraged to nominate local groups and individuals for the Live Here Love Here Community Awards. Nominations are open until 25 October 2026 and the awards ceremony will take place at Belfast Castle on 4 February 2027.
The awards recognise community and voluntary groups across the north working to build greener, stronger and more resilient neighbourhoods. Locals are being asked to put forward the groups and individuals who have dedicated their time to tackling local environmental issues and fostering a sense of civic pride in their communities. Groups can also nominate themselves.
This year's awards are open to those who have engaged with Live Here Love Here initiatives such as Green Flag for Parks community sites, Climate Ready training, Big Spring Clean, Adopt a Spot or Small Grants.
There are four award categories. The 'Community Together Award', sponsored by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, recognises efforts to break down barriers and foster more inclusive community relations through environmental action. The 'Lasting Contribution Award' celebrates groups established for at least five years that have consistently demonstrated environmental stewardship, while the 'Bright Future Award' recognises promising new groups, established less than three years ago, that have shown exceptional potential through environmental volunteering.
The 'Regional Champions Award' is open to groups carrying out volunteer-led environmental action within the nine participating partner councils that support the Live Here Love Here programme.
Lynda Surgenor, Live Here Love Here Manager, commented on the continued importance of the awards. She said: "The 2027 Community Awards mark a special moment by recognising and inspiring community action. From new groups with fresh and innovative ideas to those who have tirelessly dedicated years of their time to creating meaningful environmental change in their communities, the awards continue to recognise our unsung eco-heroes."
She added: "These awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on all those behind the stewardship that so many of us take for granted, so I urge everyone to come forward and nominate those whose efforts, no matter how big or small, continue to bring meaningful environmental impact to their community."
The awards are delivered in partnership with nine local councils and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, with support from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
Live Here Love Here is a people powered campaign which aims to inspire and enhance awareness and involvement with tackling local environmental issues, creating greener landscapes and building a sense of civic pride amongst communities in Northern Ireland.
Nominations in all categories can be submitted at livehereloveherecommunity.org until 25 October 2026.
