SETU’s contribution to the recent Gold Medal Award for Carlow town in the Entente Florale Europe competition 2024 was recognised and acknowledged at an event hosted by the Mayor of Carlow, Councillor Fintan Phelan, and county council members, at a recent event in the Town Hall.
Certificate of Appreciation
SETU’s Associate Vice President for Sustainability, Dr David Ryan, and SETU’s Estates Manager, David Buckley, were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Fintan Phelan and Leas Chathaoirleach, Thomas Kinsella, in recognition of the University’s role in Carlow town achieving success at the European competition.
Commenting on SETU’s participation in supporting the win, Dr David Ryan said, “SETU is delighted to be one of the many groups who participated in this well-deserved award. We very much appreciate having the work of our Estates Team, Sports Office, and many other SETU personnel recognised by Carlow County Council in this way.”
Enhancing quality of life and community engagement
Entente Florale Europe is an international non-profit organization with the overall aim of sustainable development for European towns, villages, and cities, enhancing the quality of life of citizens.
The competition encourages urban communities and public bodies to increase and improve access to nature, biodiversity, and environmental health. It emphasises innovation in sustainability and climate adaptation, engagement, and collaboration within our local communities.
International judging panel hosted at SETU
Judging took place in July of this year, beginning with a visit to SETU’s South Sports Campus where 30 community groups joined the international panel of judges to hear an opening presentation, visit campus facilities, and observe examples of community engagement.
The group was then welcomed to the University’s Kilkenny Road Campus in Carlow town, where they toured the new near-zero energy (NZEB) Corporate Support Services Building (CSSB). There, they heard about SETU‘s approach to sustainability, climate action, active transport infrastructure, nature restoration, and biodiversity, as well as the role of the University in delivering education for sustainable development and supporting the regional green transition.
Gold Medal Award for Carlow
Carlow swept the boards winning the overall Gold Award, the President’s Prize for the town’s rain garden development, and a Special Characteristic Prize for the Delta Sensory Gardens in the town. Judges were described as having been particularly impressed by SETU’s campuses and approach, town parks, innovative rainwater swale installations, and local sports and recreational facilities.
For more information on SETU’s Sustainability goals, click here.
For more information on Entente Florale Europe, click here.