Lidl Ireland Empowers Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders with Inaugural €100,000 Green Fund Awards

Lidl Ireland has today announced the winners of its inaugural Green Fund, a major nationwide initiative designed to jumpstart community-led environmental projects across the country. Leading the announcement is the "Kids’ Food Revolution," which has been named the overall national winner, securing the top €25,000 prize to deliver its "Grow, Cook, Eat" project—a standout program equipping children with the practical cookery and horticulture skills essential for a sustainable future.

Launched last February, the Lidl Green Fund, developed in partnership with Business in the Community Ireland, was established to support community-led projects that prioritise environmental sustainability and healthy living.

Clonakilty Kids’ Food Revolution was selected as the overall winner due to its proven track record of positively transforming children’s attitudes towards food through hands-on education. Founded by Gillian Hegarty and Melissa Byrne, Clonakilty Kids’ Food Revolution aims to create a healthier, more supportive food environment for children. 

The €25,000 injection will allow the project to significantly expand its reach, bringing interactive cookery and gardening workshops directly into local schools. By moving beyond the classroom and into the kitchen (and the garden), the initiative teaches children how to grow and cook a planet-friendly, healthy diet.

The Kids’ Food Revolution Pilot will run in three West Cork primary schools and will combine hands-on cookery and nutrition education with kitchen gardening, supporting curriculum learning, wellbeing and practical life skills in a relaxed and fun peer learning environment. The pilot meets recommendations by the World Health Organisation and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations to enable sustainable food-related health, as part of a whole systems approach, and recognises the importance of local food culture, biodiversity and the environmental impact of food.

Gillian Hegarty and Melissa Byrne, Co founders of Clonakilty Kids food revolution said:

“We have been blown away by the impact the Kids’ Food Revolution has had in our community. We are really excited to move into this next phase, because we’ve seen the power that hands-on learning has on children; how excited they are to try new things when they’re together having fun. And we are delighted to announce that Niamh Cooper hasjoined us as Project Manager to take the pilot to the next stage.”
 

Tara O’Connor, Regional Managing Director at Lidl Ireland said:

"We are incredibly proud to name Clonakilty Kids Food Revolution as the overall winner of the Lidl Green Fund. Their 'Empowering Health Through Food & Growing' project perfectly aligns with our commitment to environmental sustainability and healthy living. By supporting this €25,000 expansion into local schools, we are helping to equip children with lifelong skills that reduce food waste and promote nutrition. It is a privilege to support Gillian and her team as they revolutionise how the next generation interacts with the food on their plates.”

Elaine O’Connor, Head of Sustainability at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, commented: 

"At Lidl, we believe that small steps can lead to a better, more sustainable tomorrow for everyone. We were incredibly impressed by the Clonakilty Kids Food Revolution and their commitment to hands-on education. By teaching children the value of food and the effort behind growing it, they are creating a ripple effect that extends from the classroom to the family dinner table. Empowering the next generation to make healthier, more sustainable choices is at the heart of our Green Fund mission, and we are thrilled to support this project's expansion."

Lidl Ireland was named the Most Sustainable Retailer and 6th Most Sustainable Organisation in the Ireland RepTrak® Sustainability Index 2025. Lidl Ireland also achieved the Repak Resource Awards Overall Award in the Repak Resource Awards 2025 which celebrate Ireland’s recycling and waste management leaders, innovation in circular design, responsible resource use and grassroots environmental action. 

Lidl Ireland currently employs more than 5,500 employees in its 190 stores, Head Office in Tallaght and three distribution centres and regional offices. 

For more information please visit; greenfund.abettertomorrow-lidl.ie

/ENDS/