Nominations Now Open for the AONTAS STAR Awards 2026!
Do you know a group doing amazing work in adult or community education across the island of Ireland?
You can nominate your own group or a group you know that is making a real impact in their community.
Whether you’re a course organiser, tutor, or adult learner, as long as the initiative focuses on adult learning and falls within the categories below, you can nominate it.
The deadline for nominations is Thursday, 30 October 2025, at 5pm.
Visit our STAR Awards Resource page for a step-by-step guide, including videos on how to nominate a project
Who judges the STAR Awards?
The independent STAR Awards judging panels include experts from adult learning organisations, universities, the Government and other groups in adult and community education across the island of Ireland.
If your nomination is shortlisted, up to four of you will meet with them in the first week of February 2026.
Winners will be announced at the STAR Awards Ceremony on Friday, 6th March 2026. Check out last year’s amazing winners.
Prizes
- Recognition: A hand-crafted award that symbolises the major recognition for your work
- Peer Learning: The opportunity in 2026 to partake in peer-led training supplied by AONTAS
- Additional Prizes will also be given to support and promote the winners
- Promotional Content: AONTAS will also supply successful initiatives with promotional opportunities, including promotional graphics, photography, press engagement and video production.
If you have any questions, contact our Membership and Digital Engagement Officer Brian Desmond at bdesmond@aontas.com
News
The very latest news from the adult and community education sector
News
AONTAS Featured in International Adult Education Journal
22 December 2025
AONTAS Featured in International Adult Education Journal Written by Megan Fearon Published on December 22, 2025 Share This AONTAS are...
Blog
Learners as Leaders: Stories from the Community Changemakers Programme
19 December 2025
Learners as Leaders: Stories from the Community Changemakers Programme Written by Larisa Sioneriu Published on December 19, 2025 Share This...
Blog
Lus Na Gréine: Where Community, Learning, and Hope Flourish
18 December 2025
Lus Na Gréine: Where Community, Learning, and Hope Flourish Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published on December 18, 2025 Share This...
Blog
Lus Na Gréine: Where Community, Learning, and Hope Flourish
18 December 2025
Lus Na Gréine: Where Community, Learning, and Hope Flourish Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published on December 18, 2025 Share This...
Blog
Learning Across Borders: Slovakia’s Adult Education Delegation Visits Ireland
18 December 2025
Learning Across Borders: Slovakia’s Adult Education Delegation Visits Ireland Written by Lucia Bielikova Published on December 18, 2025 Share This...
News
Community Education ‘Transforms Lives’, Says Minister Marian Harkin TD During Mullingar Visit
17 December 2025
Community Education ‘Transforms Lives’, Says Minister Marian Harkin TD During Mullingar Visit Written by Megan Fearon Published on December 18,...
Nominations Now Open for the AONTAS STAR Awards 2026!
Do you know a group doing amazing work in adult or community education across the island of Ireland?
You can nominate your own group or a group you know that is making a real impact in their community.
Whether you’re a course organiser, tutor, or adult learner, as long as the initiative focuses on adult learning and falls within the categories below, you can nominate it.
The deadline for nominations is Thursday, 30 October 2025, at 5pm.
Visit our STAR Awards Resource page for a step-by-step guide, including videos on how to nominate a project
Who judges the STAR Awards?
The independent STAR Awards judging panels include experts from adult learning organisations, universities, the Government and other groups in adult and community education across the island of Ireland.
If your nomination is shortlisted, up to four of you will meet with them in the first week of February 2026.
Winners will be announced at the STAR Awards Ceremony on Friday, 6th March 2026. Check out last year’s amazing winners.
Prizes
- Recognition: A hand-crafted award that symbolises the major recognition for your work
- Peer Learning: The opportunity in 2026 to partake in peer-led training supplied by AONTAS
- Additional Prizes will also be given to support and promote the winners
- Promotional Content: AONTAS will also supply successful initiatives with promotional opportunities, including promotional graphics, photography, press engagement and video production.
If you have any questions, contact our Membership and Digital Engagement Officer Brian Desmond at bdesmond@aontas.com
News
The very latest news from the adult and community education sector
News
AONTAS Featured in International Adult Education Journal
22 December 2025
AONTAS Featured in International Adult Education Journal Written by Megan Fearon Published on December 22, 2025 Share This AONTAS are...
Blog
Learners as Leaders: Stories from the Community Changemakers Programme
19 December 2025
Learners as Leaders: Stories from the Community Changemakers Programme Written by Larisa Sioneriu Published on December 19, 2025 Share This...
Blog
Lus Na Gréine: Where Community, Learning, and Hope Flourish
18 December 2025
Lus Na Gréine: Where Community, Learning, and Hope Flourish Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published on December 18, 2025 Share This...
Blog
Lus Na Gréine: Where Community, Learning, and Hope Flourish
18 December 2025
Lus Na Gréine: Where Community, Learning, and Hope Flourish Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published on December 18, 2025 Share This...
Blog
Learning Across Borders: Slovakia’s Adult Education Delegation Visits Ireland
18 December 2025
Learning Across Borders: Slovakia’s Adult Education Delegation Visits Ireland Written by Lucia Bielikova Published on December 18, 2025 Share This...
News
Community Education ‘Transforms Lives’, Says Minister Marian Harkin TD During Mullingar Visit
17 December 2025
Community Education ‘Transforms Lives’, Says Minister Marian Harkin TD During Mullingar Visit Written by Megan Fearon Published on December 18,...