Subhead: Electric Ireland returns as sponsor as the Irish Times reopens nominations for Ireland’s Greenest Places 2026
The Irish Times has today reopened nominations for Ireland’s Greenest Places, with Electric Ireland returning as sponsor in a collaboration created by the Irish Times Group Media Solutions team and dentsu Ireland. The competition, which seeks to recognise towns, villages, neighbourhoods and other locations that demonstrate meaningful progress on environmental sustainability, will run a four month assessment period culminating in a shortlist, site visits and category winners before an overall national winner is named. Details were reported by AdWorld. (https://www.adworld.ie/2026/06/26/electric-ireland-returns-as-sponsor-of-the-irish-times-irelands-greenest-places/)
Context and pedigree
Launched as a follow up to the inaugural 2025 programme, the initiative arrives with industry plaudits behind it. The 2025 edition picked up a Gold at the European Sponsorship Awards and further recognition at the Media Awards and the INMA Awards, signalling that the format has traction among advertisers and the media industry as much as it does with communities. That reception will be closely watched this year as the competition squares its commercial partnerships with claims of community and environmental impact. See more at The Irish Times (https://www.irishtimes.com) and the AdWorld report (https://www.adworld.ie).
The judging panel and what it signals
The 2026 judging panel brings together a mix of politicians, journalists and practitioners. It includes Eamon Ryan, former Irish Times environment editor Kevin O’Sullivan, Irish Times senior features writer Rosita Boland, Lisa Browne of ESB, broadcaster and author Éanna Ní Lamhna and sustainability consultant Shannen Healy, known online as @_greengal. The presence of high profile media figures alongside people from energy and sustainability consultancy signals an attempt to balance editorial credibility with corporate buy-in. Electric Ireland’s involvement will again draw scrutiny – as sponsor of an environmental awards programme, the company will need to show clear boundaries between editorial independence and commercial interests. For information on the sponsor, see Electric Ireland (https://www.electricireland.ie).
Process, timeline and scope
Organisers say nominations will be accepted for four months and judged against criteria set by the independent panel, with shortlisted entries receiving site visits before winners are declared across multiple categories and an overall national winner is named. The format emphasises place-based action – projects that improve biodiversity, reduce waste, lower energy use, or enhance local green spaces are likely to feature strongly. The organisers have framed the competition as one that celebrates measurable local initiatives rather than virtue signalling.
Why this matters – a critical take
There are three practical reasons to watch this year’s contest closely. First, the competition offers a platform to scale up local solutions – modest townland projects can attract funding, volunteers and media attention that create sustained momentum. Second, the involvement of a large corporate sponsor like Electric Ireland is useful but not cost free – transparency on sponsorship terms, reporting of outcomes and independent verification of environmental claims will be essential to avoid accusations of greenwash. Third, the competition’s industry awards success in 2025 underlines that the programme is also a marketing vehicle. That dual role is not inherently bad, but it imposes higher standards on organisers to demonstrate tangible community benefit.
What communities should know
Communities intending to enter should prepare clear evidence of outcomes – before and after data on energy use, biodiversity surveys, volunteer hours and local co-funding will strengthen nominations. Expect site visits and media interest if shortlisted. Local councils and community groups should also use the process to leverage broader supports rather than treating a nomination as an end in itself.
Final thoughts
Ireland’s Greenest Places has evolved from a single-season experiment into a recognised fixture in the Irish media and sponsorship landscape. With Electric Ireland back onboard and a diverse judging panel in place, the competition can deliver genuine local benefits – provided organisers maintain strong editorial independence and robust, verifiable criteria. The original report on the sponsor return is available at AdWorld (https://www.adworld.ie/2026/06/26/electric-ireland-returns-as-sponsor-of-the-irish-times-irelands-greenest-places/) and further details can be found on The Irish Times site (https://www.irishtimes.com).
