Cork Celebrates Lifelong Learning Awards

Celebrating the People and Projects That Make Learning Come Alive

Learning happens everywhere. It happens in classrooms and community centres, in workplaces and libraries, online and around kitchen tables. Every day across Cork, individuals, groups, organisations, and communities are creating opportunities for people to learn, grow, and thrive.

The Cork Celebrates Lifelong Learning Awards shine a spotlight on these inspiring stories. The awards recognise the people, projects, and initiatives that make lifelong learning accessible, inclusive, innovative, and enjoyable for learners of all ages.

Whether it's a volunteer-led community programme, a creative workplace initiative, a support group helping people gain confidence and skills, or an individual who inspires others through their commitment to learning, we want to hear about them.

Nominations Are Now Open

Do you know someone making a difference through learning?

Now is your chance to recognise and celebrate the individuals, organisations, schools, community groups, businesses, and projects that are helping to build a culture of lifelong learning across Cork.

Submit a nomination today:

🔗 https://submit.link/50k

Nomination deadline:

📅 Friday, 23 October 2026

By nominating, you are helping to:

Celebrate outstanding achievements in lifelong learning
Recognise the dedication and passion of learners, educators, volunteers, and community champions
Share inspiring stories from across Cork
Encourage more people to get involved in learning opportunities
Highlight the positive impact learning has on individuals and communities

Every nomination tells a story, and every story deserves to be heard.

Spirit of the Awards:

The Spirit of the Awards is rooted in the belief that lifelong learning is not just an educational journey but a transformative experience that empowers individuals to reshape their lives. These awards are designed to honor and recognise the extraordinary impact that learning can have, not only on an individual’s personal growth but also on their professional development and contributions to their community.

Lifelong learning embodies the idea that education does not end with formal schooling but continues throughout one’s life, adapting and evolving as people grow and face new challenges. This ongoing process of learning equips individuals with the tools they need to improve their circumstances, achieve their goals, and contribute positively to society. The awards celebrate those who have harnessed this power of learning to make meaningful changes in their lives, whether by acquiring new skills, advancing in their careers, or contributing to their communities in significant ways.

Special consideration is given in the judging process to individual candidates who have overcome significant social, economic, or educational barriers to realising their full learning potential.

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Judging Criteria

Judges were looking for evidence of sustained commitment to advancing and positively supporting the experience of lifelong learning.

Nominations were judged by the Adjudication Panel based on the following criteria:

• Demonstration of sustained effort and commitment to Lifelong Learning.

• Evidence of Innovation in their Lifelong Learning approaches over the period 2021 - 2022.

• Contribution to Community/Society through Inter-generational & inter-agency approaches. Evidence of Social Inclusion – Supporting Travellers, Minority Groups and New Communities.

• Showing evidence of learners overcoming significant barriers to learning, contributing to Lifelong Learning in their specific category and the wider community.

• Quality of Evidence and Additional support materials supplied.

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Thank you to all our partners -