Armagh residents urged to nominate environmental champions for 2027 Live Here Love Here Community Awards

Residents across Armagh are being encouraged to nominate local environmental champions for the 2027 Live Here Love Here Community Awards before nominations close this Sunday, 25 October 2026. The annual awards recognise the efforts of community and voluntary groups across Northern Ireland that are helping to create greener, stronger and more resilient neighbourhoods.

Delivered in partnership with nine local councils, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and supported by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the awards celebrate the dedication of individuals and organisations working to improve their local environment and foster civic pride.

This year's awards are open to those involved in Live Here Love Here initiatives including Green Flag for Parks community sites, Climate Ready training, Big Spring Clean, Adopt a Spot and Small Grants programmes.

Organisers are urging residents to nominate groups and volunteers from the Armagh area who have gone above and beyond to tackle environmental challenges and make a positive difference within their communities. Groups are also encouraged to submit nominations on their own behalf.

The awards feature four categories. The Community Together Award, sponsored by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, recognises projects that help break down barriers and strengthen community relations through environmental action.

The Lasting Contribution Award honours groups that have been established for at least five years and have consistently demonstrated environmental stewardship.

The Bright Future Award celebrates newer organisations, established within the past three years, that have shown exceptional promise through environmental volunteering. The Regional Champions Award recognises volunteer-led environmental action across the participating council areas involved in the Live Here Love Here programme.

Live Here Love Here Manager Lynda Surgenor said the awards continue to highlight the commitment and passion of people working to improve their local areas.

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.

"We continue to see groups right across Northern Ireland play a fundamental role in transforming their neighbourhoods, from planting trees and enhancing local biodiversity to renovating neglected public spaces.

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."

Live Here Love Here is a people-powered campaign which aims to encourage greater public involvement in addressing environmental issues, creating greener landscapes and building civic pride across Northern Ireland.

The 2027 Community Awards ceremony will take place at Belfast Castle on 4 February 2027, with nominations remaining open until 25 October 2026. Residents who know of deserving environmental volunteers or community groups in the Armagh area are encouraged to submit a nomination before the deadline.