Launch of AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 2025-2026

Following the success of the 2025 AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards, AIB is delighted to announce the launch of the 2025-2026 programme and is calling on schools across County Cork to submit their impactful projects. This year, the awards are particularly inspired by the incredible achievement of Kinsale Community School, who not only secured the Overall Prize but also the Senior Small Group Environmental prize, winning €10,000 for their innovative e-waste reduction project.

Kinsale Community School’s ambitious initiative, which focused on refurbishing old laptops to minimise e-waste and enhance educational resources in a partner school in Tanzania, exemplifies the spirit of the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards. Their success highlights the profound positive change that Cork schools can bring to their communities and beyond.

The AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards, celebrate schools making a positive impact on their community, centred on three key pillars of activity: Environmental, Social, and Financial. These pillars encompass a wide range of activities that contribute to the betterment of communities, including volunteering, fundraising, awareness campaigns, mentoring, peer education, skills-sharing, and environmental conservation.

“It’s absolutely amazing to see the dedication and hard work of students and teachers in Cork being recognised,” said Aaron Bowen, teacher at Kinsale Community School, reflecting on their 2025 win. “The €10,000 prize was huge for the school, and we are reinvesting that back into future projects, including donating a portion to Terretta Foundation Tanzania and expanding our laptop repair programme. We encourage all Cork schools to get involved and showcase the incredible work they are doing.”

Orlaith Ryan, Chief Customer Officer at AIB, said: “We are incredibly excited to launch the 2025-2026 AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards. The enthusiasm and innovation demonstrated by schools in last year’s programme were truly inspiring. This is a real opportunity for students to engage in meaningful learning outside the traditional curriculum and to become active agents of positive change in their local communities. We strongly encourage all schools to consider submitting their projects and join us in celebrating the remarkable impact they are making.”

More information on the AIB Future Sparks Programme and details on how to submit your school’s projects can be found at www.aib.ie/futuresparks.