Powerful problem solvers and creative critical thinkers from across Ireland have mastered one of the world’s most in-demand skills. This year, teams from Carlow, Offaly and Kilkenny claimed the top national prizes in Ireland’s leading creative thinking programme, The B!G Idea.
Team Community Cara from Borris Vocational School won the overall award after completing the 14-week creative problem-solving journey. Throughout the programme, they explored the issue of hidden poverty and developed a digital solution with real social impact.
Their idea? An app designed to connect people experiencing poverty in Ireland with local support services. As a result, the team demonstrated how creative thinking can translate directly into meaningful community change.
The standard of submissions in this year’s Youthreach and Community Training Centre (CTC) pilot programme was exceptional. Therefore, judges awarded two additional national prizes to recognise innovation across the pilot.
Climate Change Award (Youthreach & CTC):
Team YR from Kilkenny Youthreach designed an augmented reality app to educate primary school students about climate change in their local environment.
Mental Health Award (Youthreach & CTC):
Team HopOut from Tullamore Community Training Centre in Offaly proposed a community hub promoted via a drinks coaster QR code to support younger men’s mental health.
The programme announced the winners on Friday, 12 May, during the end-of-year online B!G Showcase.
The B!G Idea delivers its creative thinking programme through Leaving Cert Applied (LCA), Transition Year (TY), and an expanded Youthreach and CTC pilot. This year, schools across 22 counties participated, while Northern Ireland successfully trialled a pilot programme.
Students worked through the four Ds of the creative process — Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver. Along the way, they focused on real-life stressors such as:
Importantly, these themes align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With guidance from hundreds of industry mentors across multiple sectors, students developed digital experiences, products, services, tech solutions and community initiatives to address these challenges.
Creativity shone across the country.
Climate Change Award: Eco Activists from Scoil Bernadette in Cork created a wildflower garden as a safe space for students — and their hero, Brian the Bee.
Mental Health Award: Sarah’s Strength from St Patrick’s College Dungannon in Tyrone developed “It Takes Strength,” a website supporting university students with financial worries, time management and wellbeing.
Hidden Poverty Award: Team Immoderate from Mercy Secondary School in Longford proposed “Incognation,” an app offering resources and community support for those experiencing hidden poverty.
Displaced People Award: Team Cabhrú from Borris Vocational School in Carlow designed a multilingual website supporting refugees with education, housing and employment guidance.
Diversity and Inclusion Award: Team The Bois from Meánscoil San Nioclás in Waterford created “Mind Bloggling,” an inclusive mental health journal for young people.
Teachers and tutors also received recognition.
Patricia Dunphy from Mercy Secondary School in Waterford won the TY/LCA/NI Creativity Champion Award. Meanwhile, Lynsey McCabe from Tullamore CTC received the Youthreach and CTC Creativity Champion Award.
Founder and CEO Kim Mackenzie-Doyle emphasised that judges selected winners not only for innovative ideas, but also for their creative journey.
“These students have developed transformative creative skills,” she said. “With support from our industry mentors, they can continue to think big and solve problems — whether in college, work or life.”
Furthermore, Kim described The B!G Idea as more than an educational initiative.
“It’s a movement to elevate Ireland’s national skill base and democratise the world’s most in-demand skill — creative thinking.”
She also highlighted the role of teachers and facilitators who create safe spaces where students experience creativity in action.
Since launching in 2021, the programme has reached over 6,500 learners and engaged more than 750 industry mentors globally.
The national winners — along with selected teams — will now take part in a B!G Idea accelerator this September.
Meanwhile, the B!G Exhibition, featuring every project submitted this year, is now live at thebigidea.ie, where schools and mentors can also register for the next term.
