As part of Climate Action Week 2026 12th – 18th October Monaghan County Council is encouraging residents to get involved in two engaging competitions designed to promote creativity, resourcefulness and community participation.
The competitions aim to encourage residents to explore how everyday actions can contribute to a more sustainable future, while highlighting the important role communities play in reducing waste, conserving resources and contributing to a Circular Economy.
The Children’s Climate Action Competition 2026 is calling on young creators, inventors, makers and problem-solvers from across County Monaghan to showcase their creativity by giving old materials a new lease of life. Participants are invited to create artwork, repair items, develop useful inventions or produce something entirely unique using reused or repurposed materials.
The competition encourages children and young people to think differently about waste and discover how repairing, reusing and repurposing resources can reduce environmental impact and support a more circular economy.
Prizes will be awarded across a range of categories, with winners receiving a donation for their school or educational setting to support learning, creativity and sustainability initiatives. Both individual and group entries are welcome.
Meanwhile, older adults across the county are invited to take part in the Climate Action Week Poetry Competition, delivered in partnership with the Monaghan Age Friendly Programme. Participants are asked to write an original poem inspired by the theme “Act Local: Rethink, Repair, Reuse”, exploring what this mean to them, their experiences, their community, or the environment. Through their poem, entrants are encouraged to share their reflections, ideas and perspectives on how small local actions can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Whether inspired by nature, local heritage, community spirit, sustainability projects or everyday actions, the competition provides an opportunity for older generations to inspire others through creativity, storytelling and lived experience.
Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Cllr Aidan Campbell, welcomed the initiative and highlighted its community focus.
“The theme ‘Act Local: Rethink, Repair, Reuse’ reminds us that climate action begins at home and within our communities. I am delighted to see opportunities for both young people and older adults to get involved in Climate Action Week 2026. These competitions celebrate creativity, encourage environmental responsibility and demonstrate how everyone, regardless of age, has a valuable role to play in building a more sustainable and climate-resilient County Monaghan. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the staff of Monaghan County Council’s Climate Action Unit, whose hard work in developing and delivering these competitions and Climate Action Week is helping to inspire climate awareness and action across our communities.”
Speaking about the competitions, Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, said:
“Delivering meaningful climate action requires the involvement of everyone in our communities. These competitions support the goals of Monaghan County Council’s Climate Action Plan by encouraging behavioural change, promoting resource efficiency and fostering greater awareness of the role each of us can play in addressing climate change. By challenging participants to rethink, repair and reuse, we are highlighting practical actions that reduce waste, lower carbon emissions and contribute to a more circular and sustainable future for County Monaghan.”
The competitions also support wider circular economy goals by encouraging residents to extend the life of products and materials, reduce unnecessary waste and recognise the value of resources that might otherwise be discarded.
The closing date for both the Children’s Climate Action Competition and the Poetry Competition is 23rd September 2026 at 5.00pm.
Submissions can be emailed to climateaction@monaghancoco.ie or by post to Eilish Morgan, Climate Action Section, Monaghan County Council, Carrickmacross Civic Offices, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan A81 RY22 or dropped in to your local library.
Further information, including competition guidelines and entry details, is available through Monaghan County Council’s website or by contacting Monaghan County Council’s Climate Action Team at climateaction@monaghancoco.ie or telephone (047) 45223 or scan QR Code below.
Both competitions are funded through the Decarbonising Zone (DZ) Demonstrator Fund, supported by the Government of Ireland.