Intergenerational Solidarity Awards 2026 Celebrated at DCU
Dublin City University’s Age-Friendly University (AFU) Initiative was delighted to host the Intergenerational Solidarity Awards 2026 on the DCU Glasnevin Campus, bringing together schools, youth groups, and community participants from across Ireland to celebrate outstanding intergenerational initiatives.
The Intergenerational Solidarity Awards 2026 align with the goals of the EU Day of Intergenerational Solidarity and Cooperation between Generations, championing a future where all ages connect and thrive together.
Now running for over a decade, these annual awards recognise projects that foster meaningful connections between younger and older generations through creativity, learning, and shared experiences. This year’s event once again highlighted the transformative impact of intergenerational engagement within schools and communities.
We would like to congratulate the winners and thank all entrants & the judging panel.
The recipients were presented with their awards earlier today at a ceremony on DCU’s Glasnevin Campus. At the ceremony, AFU Coordinator, Dr. Christine O’Kelly spoke about how intergenerational engagement can strengthen communities, promote mutual understanding, and create lasting social impact.
Award Winners
Participants travelled to DCU for the ceremony, with many schools also bringing additional contributors involved in their projects, including nursing home residents, volunteers, and community members. Attendees also had the opportunity to take part in a guided campus tour, further enhancing their experience of university life.
The Intergenerational Solidarity Awards continue to demonstrate the importance of collaboration between schools, communities, and older adults in building a more inclusive and age-friendly society. The AFU team was delighted to host such an inspiring group of participants and looks forward to welcoming even more schools and organisations to the Intergenerational Solidarity Awards 2027.
The Intergenerational Solidarity Awards 2026
The Intergenerational Solidarity Awards 2026 will take place at the DCU Glasnevin Campus on April 29th, 2026.
DCU invites you to showcase your school's commitment to intergenerational practice by submitting a project that highlights collaboration between students and older members of the community. Your project can take various forms, such as:
- Poster presentations
- Illustrated reports or PowerPoint
- Video (IT, dancing, music, art, cooking, storytelling, etc.)
- Photo essay
Award Categories:
- Innovation & Engagement: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards for projects showing transformational intergenerational impact.
- Business Innovation: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards for individuals or groups developing an age-related product or service with or for older people.
- All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation.
In previous years, winners stood out by showcasing strong student and participant engagement, particularly by connecting with older members of their communities. Examples include collaborations with older relatives and friends, local nursing home residents, GAA clubs, U3A groups, and Active Retirement groups.
All entries will be judged by a panel of older people and members of the Age-Friendly Expert Advisory Board in DCU.
For more information and to participate, please contact Grainne Reddy: grainne.reddy@dcu.ie
Intergenerational Schools Awards Ceremony 2025
We were delighted to celebrate intergenerational learning, connection and creativity at this year’s Intergenerational Schools Awards ceremony, where seven awards were presented to schools across Ireland.
The awards recognise exceptional projects that bring generations together through shared experiences, fostering understanding, respect, and friendship between young people and older adults.
Group Project Awards Winners:
Platinum: Maynooth Community College
Gold: Coláiste Eoin
Silver: Carrick-on-Shannon Community School
Bronze: Sancta Maria College
Mini Company Awards Winners:
Loreto Community School and Edmund Rice College
A Special Recognition Award was presented to Crossmolina National School, recognised for their innovative project involving the development of a board game to raise school funds. As part of their prize, the school received a generous donation of board games from Hasbro for every classroom — a gift that will continue to foster intergenerational fun and learning within the community.
This year’s ceremony was made all the more special with the presence of GAA All-Stars and DCU Alumni, Lyndsey Davey and Denise Masterson, who presented the awards and delivered a joint speech titled “Stronger Together – Learning Across Generations.”
Lyndsey and Denise, both legends of Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football, shared personal stories about the impact of intergenerational mentorship in sport and life. Lyndsey reflected on the lessons she learned from older teammates as a young player, while Denise spoke about how success is built across generations — “by people before us, beside us, and those who come after.” Their message reinforced the powerful role of sport, storytelling, and shared experience in building lasting intergenerational bonds.
The Intergenerational Schools Awards are a testament to the importance of collaboration between schools, families, and communities in building a more age-inclusive society. These projects highlight the value of connection across generations — not just in the classroom, but in everyday life.
A special thanks to all the students, teachers, older participants, and community members who made these projects possible, and to the DCU judging panel for their thoughtful work reviewing all the applications.
We invite you to browse the photo gallery from the event below and join us in celebrating these inspiring schools that show what’s possible when generations come together.
Intergenerational Awards Ceremony 2024
We were delighted to welcome Minister Roderick O'Gorman to campus to present the annual TY awards to students from the four corners of Ireland.
The awards, now in their 9th year, showcased the wonderful intergenerational activities in secondary school. Two categories were presented: the Mini-company Awards and the Intergenerational Awards.
Mini-company Winners 2024:
Gold Award: Coláiste Bríde Secondary School, Co. Wexford - Caregiving and Safeguarding of the Elderly.
Bronze Award: St. Mogue’s College, Co. Cavan - Power Paddy's.
Silver Award: Carndonagh Community School, Co. Donegal - Eco Rest.
Intergenerational Awards Winners 2024:
Platinum Award: Glenamaddy Community School, Co. Galway - ‘It felt like yesterday’, book.
Gold Award: Dominican College, Co. Galway - Intergenerational Volunteering.
Bronze Award: St. Mogue’s College, Co. Cavan - Active Ages.
Silver Award: Scoil Aireagail, Co. Kilkenny - Connecting with Community. 
Results of the 2023 Transition Year Intergenerational Awards
We are happy to announce the winners of the Transition Year Intergenerational Awards for 2023! All participants received a certificate of participation, and the winners were presented with an award. A big thank you to all participants!
This year there were two categories: Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for innovative and engaged projects, and a single award for individual student or group who has developed an age-related product or service as part of their TY Business Project.
Innovative and engaged projects:
Loreto College (Crumlin, Dublin)
Mercy Secondary School (Ballymahon, Longford)
Loreto Community School (Milford, Donegal)
Calasanctius College (Oranmore, Galway)
Ramsgrange Community School (New Ross, Co. Wexford)
TY Business Project:
Ailbhe Wrafter (St. Joseph's Tulla, Clare)