Ards and North Down Eco Volunteers celebrated at Live Here Love Here Awards

Live Here Love Here, a people-powered campaign dedicated to improving the local environment and fostering civic pride, has revealed the winners of its 2025 Community Awards. The event, held at Belfast City Hall on Thursday, February 6 and hosted by TV presenter Joe Mahon, brought together over 150 guests - including DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, local leaders, environmental advocates and volunteers - to honour the outstanding contributions of voluntary community groups across Northern Ireland working to improve the environment and promote civic pride.

Sponsored by Power NI and supported by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), nine local councils, and the Housing Executive, the awards serve as a vital platform for recognising the power of collective action in tackling community environmental challenges such as dog fouling, littering, biodiversity loss, transformation of neglected spaces, and environmental education.

On the night, 12 awards were presented to celebrate the achievements of local community groups, including the Regional Champions Awards, which honoured volunteers from Live Here Love Here's nine partner council areas.

Donaghadee Community Development Association received Ards and North Down Borough Council's Regional Champions Award for their work with 150 volunteers to enhance the town through environmental initiatives and advocacy for local improvements, including floral displays, a community orchard, and coastal conservation.

Close Image gallery carousel

Groomsport Village Association was also recognised in this category as runners-up for its efforts in maintaining the village's beauty through litter picks, "In Bloom" initiatives, and projects like a fairy garden that supports biodiversity while fostering community spirit.

On receiving the award, Donaghadee Community Development Association said, "We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised at the Live Here Love Here Community Awards. This honour belongs to the incredible volunteers and residents of Donaghadee who give their time, energy, and passion to make our town a better place. From community clean-ups to our award-winning floral displays, every effort is a testament to what can be achieved when people come together. It inspires us to keep going, to build on our success, and to continue making Donaghadee a place we are proud to call home."

The Lasting Contribution Award, supported by DAERA, was presented to Copeland Bird Observatory for their enduring commitment to environmental sustainability and community improvement spanning more than 6 decades. Since 1954, the observatory has been dedicated to bird conservation, research, and community engagement, particularly on the Copeland Islands, making a lasting impact on local biodiversity.

While, the Community Together Award, supported by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, was presented to Holywood Shared Town for their work supporting smaller groups and leading initiatives that build a cohesive and inclusive community, focusing on environmental improvements and social spaces for Holywood residents. Runner-up, Comber Regeneration Community Partnerships (CRCP), was also recognised for transforming the town with initiatives like creating a community garden and fostering pride and responsibility among residents.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said,

"I was delighted to attend the Live Here Love Here Community Awards where several local groups from Ards and North Down were recognised for their impressive efforts in improving our local environment and increasing civic pride. Their work, combined with many other volunteer groups across our Borough, help to ensure that everyone can make the most of our beautiful villages, towns and city. Congratulations to everyone who was recognised for their efforts at the Community Awards and a heartfelt 'thank you' to all those who help make Ards and North Down a better place to live, work, invest and visit."

Lynda Surgenor, Live Here Love Here Manager, said, "The Community Awards resonate because they celebrate the unsung heroes in our communities who are driving real environmental change through volunteer work. This year, the theme 'Community Connections' made it even more special as we honoured groups that demonstrate the power of collective action. Whether it's transforming vacant land into thriving green spaces or mobilising locals to restore and protect local waterways, these groups are proving that no action is too small to make a difference. We're reminded that, together, we can build a cleaner, greener, and more connected Northern Ireland."

She added, "We also want to thank DAERA, Power NI, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, and our nine council partners for their continued support, which ensures the ongoing success of Live Here Love Here."

For more information on the Live Here Love Here campaign and the Community Awards, visit liveherelovehere.org