The Annual National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards showcase age friendly initiatives from around the country that are contributing to making Ireland a great place in which to grow old.
Awards Aims
The primary aim of these awards is to recognise and reward achievement in age friendly initiatives around Ireland. Organisations, individuals/members of the public, agencies and communities submit applications on projects or programmes that they consider to be age friendly, especially those initiatives that support older people.
Award Categories
Each year there are eight categories of awards, aligning to the World Health Organisation themes, as they have a meaningful impact on the lives of older people in Ireland. They are (WHO theme in brackets):
1. AGE FRIENDLY TRANSPORT AWARD (Transportation)
Getting to where you want to go when you want to go is so important to so many older people. This category recognises the vital difference that availability to good quality, easily accessible, user friendly and reliable transport options can make to an older person.
2. AGE FRIENDLY ACTIVE LIVING AND LEISURE AWARD (Health)
This recognises initiatives that enable older people to stay healthy and independent through accessible physical activity, recreation, and enjoyable leisure opportunities. It celebrates programmes and environments that remove barriers to participation (e.g., cost, transport, inclusive design and tailored support), promote safe movement and social connection, and help prevent isolation—aligning with the WHO Age Friendly Cities and Communities Health domain by supporting wellbeing, prevention, and quality of life in later years.
3. AGE FRIENDLY BUSINESS INNOVATION AWARD (Civic Participation and Employment)
We know that creating an enjoyable and accessible experience for older consumers pays dividends for small and large businesses and the wider community. This category acknowledges age aware businesses which are innovative in their approach, and which recognise that older people as both producers and consumers bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our society. We welcome entries from collaborative projects where business and the community came together to effect change.
4. AGE FRIENDLY SAFETY AND SECURITY AWARD (Housing)
Feeling safe and secure at home and when out and about greatly enhances the lives of older people. This category acknowledges the impact of community-based responses that enable older people to feel secure in their homes and in the wider community, and to know what to do when they don’t.
5. AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNICATIONS AWARD (Communication and Information)
Limited access to information is frequently highlighted as a challenge to ageing well in Ireland. Being able to obtain clear and straightforward information affects various aspects of an older person’s life, including their health, wellbeing, social connections, and financial stability. As more services move online, some older people face difficulties in accessing this expanding range of resources. This award acknowledges initiatives across the country that are addressing the information gap.
6. AGE FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT AWARD (Outdoor Spaces and Buildings)
The built environment has a unique impact on the lives of all older people. Simple things like adequate public seating, level footpaths and appropriate crossing times at pedestrian crossings all have a huge impact on the ability of older people to be active in their towns and villages. This category recognises projects that bring about change in the built physical environment with older people in mind.
7. AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY INNOVATION AWARD (Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion)
The voice of the older person is at the heart of the Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme, the Programme is designed and implemented with them and not for them. This award recognises those innovative projects that are driven by older people for older people. These projects not only enhance the lives of older people, but benefit the community at large.
8. AGE FRIENDLY HOUSING AWARD (Housing)
As people age they spend more time in their own homes. This means that older people’s quality of life, and thus their health, can depend on the appropriateness of their home environment and the conditions in which they live. This award recognises innovative housing initiatives that enable older people to remain independent for as long as possible.
9. AGE FRIENDLY INTERGENERATIONAL AWARDS (Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion)
This recognises initiatives that bring older and younger people together in meaningful, mutually beneficial ways. It celebrates projects that increase social participation through shared activities, volunteering, mentoring, learning and community events, while fostering respect, understanding and social inclusion across generations. This category highlights approaches that reduce isolation, challenge age related stereotypes, and create welcoming spaces where people of all ages feel valued and connected.
10. AGE FRIENDLY HEALTHY AGEING AWARD (Community Support and Health Services)
This recognises initiatives that support older people to maintain and improve their physical and mental health and overall wellbeing as they age. It celebrates preventative and supportive approaches that make it easier to access information and early intervention, health and social care services, and practical help to manage long-term conditions—alongside actions that promote emotional wellbeing, resilience, and reduced loneliness. Projects in this category should support strengthening wellbeing, enabling independence, and reducing health inequalities in later life.
We welcome initiatives at both local and national level.
