Love Where You Live

Love Where You Live 2026

Ballinamore-Community-Hall--Island-Theatre---Winners---Community-Achivement-Ballinamore

The Love Where You Live Awards celebrate the spirit, dedication, and creativity of the people of County Leitrim. These awards recognise the contributions made by community groups, schools, and individuals who work every day to make Leitrim a better place for everyone.
Jointly organised by Leitrim County Council and Leitrim Public Participation Network, the awards offer a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on local projects and initiatives that help create an ambitious, thriving, vibrant, sustainable, and connected Leitrim. Following judging in June and July, all entries will be invited to a Gala Awards event on the 1st October where the winners will be announced and all of the efforts and achievements of communities across Leitrim will be recognised.

How to Enter

You can nominate a group or enter your own group. The Gen Z Impact Award is for individual entries only, and young people aged 13–23 are welcome to nominate themselves. For this award, we also encourage community groups to nominate a young person they believe is making a positive difference in their local area. Please make sure you have permission from the group or individual before submitting a nomination. For all categories, complete the short entry form below.

2026 Love Where You Live Entry Form - All categories

Closing date for submissions is 18th May 2026.

Love Where You Live 2026 Categories

Green Community

This award celebrates the outstanding work of Community and Voluntary Groups who are helping to improve, revitalise, and protect their local environment. It recognises groups who create pride of place, foster inclusivity, and make their area a more attractive, welcoming, and enjoyable place to live.
Examples of eligible projects include planting to support biodiversity, heritage or conservation initiatives, recycling programmes, litter control, waterways protection, and other environmental actions that strengthen local communities.
One winner in each Municipal District and one overall highly commended.

Green Estate

This award celebrates the positive contributions made by housing estates, residential areas, and apartment complexes to improve, revitalise, and protect their local environment. It recognises the achievements of residents who foster pride, inclusivity, and community spirit, helping to make where they live a more attractive, welcoming, and enjoyable place to live.
Examples of eligible projects include planting to promote biodiversity, heritage or conservation initiatives, recycling efforts, litter control, and activities that encourage social inclusion.
One winner in each Municipal District and one overall highly commended

Age Friendly Community

This award celebrates Age Friendly initiatives that empower older people to take the lead in shaping community life. It recognises projects driven by older people where their voices, skills, experience, and passions guide the work being done. These projects strengthen confidence, encourage independence, and support older people to stay active, connected, and central to community life.
Examples include projects led by older people, Active Age groups, and local Women’s or Men’s Groups, any initiative where older adults are actively shaping and contributing to a vibrant community.
One winner in each Municipal District and one overall highly commended.

Social Inclusion

To enter this PPN-sponsored award, your group must be registered with Leitrim PPN.
It celebrates groups that open their doors wide, ensuring that activities, supports, and community life are welcoming, accessible, and meaningful for all. These groups play an essential role in building a more connected, inclusive Leitrim by empowering people of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to get involved, contribute, and feel a genuine sense of belonging. Whether through social activities, advocacy, education, wellbeing programmes, or community projects, these initiatives help people thrive and participate fully in local life.
Examples of eligible groups include: Groups working with older people, Disability and accessibility groups, Ethnic minority and migrant support groups, Travelling Community initiatives, LGBTQ+ and Pride community groups, Homeless support groups, Men’s and Hen’s Sheds - Any community group that strives to make participation open to all.

One winner in each Municipal District and one overall highly commended.

Community Achievement

o enter this PPN‑sponsored award, your group must be registered with Leitrim PPN.

This award honours groups and organisations that provide essential, valued services within their local community, those who work every day to ensure a high quality of life for everyone. It shines a light on the achievements, dedication, and contributions of groups that make a real difference, strengthening community wellbeing, connection, and resilience.

Examples of eligible groups include: Community Centres, Community Alert groups, Children and Youth Services, Family Resource Centres, Defibrillator / First Responder groups, Heritage and culture groups, Community Development Associations, Community Councils or any organisation providing a meaningful service that enhances life in the local community

One winner in each Municipal District and one overall highly commended.

Gen Z Impact - New for 2026!

New for 2026! Open to individual young people aged 13–23, this award celebrates the creativity, kindness, and leadership that Gen Z brings to their communities. It shines a spotlight on young people who are taking action, big or small, to make life better for those around them. Nominees may be involved in anything from volunteering to initiatives that promote inclusion, belonging, or support for others. What matters most is the positive difference they make and their commitment to empowering others to love where they live.
Impact comes in many forms. It might be a young person who checks in on a neighbour, someone who always steps up to help when needed, or young person leading an ambitious community project.

Entries are welcome from individuals only (groups cannot apply). Nominations can be made by the young people themselves or by someone who knows them. If you are nominating someone else, please make sure to let them know in advance.
Examples include: Volunteering and community service, Supporting people in need, Local community initiatives, School or youth-led projects.
One overall winner who will receive a trophy on award night

Love Where You Live Brochure

Please see our 2026 Love Where You Live Brochure for more information on this years award categories and the marking criteria.

Click here for the 2026 Love Where You Live Brochure

To Enter the Love Where You Live Schools Competition, please see details below.

Schools Competition 2025/2026

Photo-of-annaduff---resized

 

The Love Where You Live Primary Schools Competition 

Celebrating Climate Action and Community Pride in Leitrim.

Leitrim County Council is delighted to announce the return of the annual Love Where You Live Primary Schools Competition, a celebration of the creativity, dedication, and environmental awareness shown by our pupils, teachers, and schools.
For the 2025/2026 school year, we invite all Primary Schools across County Leitrim to take part by submitting a project inspired by this year’s theme: Climate Action.

Whether it's a classroom initiative, a school-wide campaign, or a creative expression of sustainability, we want to see how your school is making a difference.
Winning schools in each Municipal District will receive a prize of €500, with €250 awarded to runner-up schools.

To enter, simply complete the entry form below. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 24th April 2026.
Judging will take place during school hours between 18th and 22nd May 2026, with visits from Leitrim County Council staff and an independent judge to see your projects in action.

Love Where You Live Schools Competition Entry Form

Ceantár do Chroí Comórtas do Scoileanna

Further Information

If you have any queries regarding the Love Where You Live Competition, please contact community@leitrimcoco.ie or call 071 962 0005 ext 855 (Helen) or 157 (Elaine)