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
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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
Blog
What happens when those with an interest in adult learning come together to build shared understanding? An Example from Northern Ireland
23 February 2026
What happens when those with an interest in adult learning come together to build shared understanding? An Example from Northern...
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Celebrating Community, Hope, and Achievement with Acorn Youth Work Ireland Midlands, Education and Training Service
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Celebrating Community, Hope, and Achievement with Acorn Youth Work Ireland Midlands, Education and Training Service Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published...
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Spring Into Learning with the 2026 AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival Written by Megan Fearon Published on January 20, 2026 Share...
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