About the Awards

Supported by Coimisiún na Meán, the aim of the MLI Awards programme is to recognise the work that is being undertaken to help citizens, especially within communities, develop the media literacy skills that will empower them to make the best use of media.

By raising awareness of the range of media literacy initiatives that are being delivered across Ireland, we hope to encourage innovation, collaboration and evaluation in media literacy projects.

Entries from across the island of Ireland are welcome – covering projects, resources, training, research or campaigns. We want to encourage organisations big and small to apply – from schools, libraries, community groups, to online platforms, broadcasters, commentators and influencers… and everything in between.

Categories

• Best Media Literacy initiative targeting young people – any initiative (including projects, resources, training, research or campaigns) that helped empower children or young people under 18 and living on the island of Ireland, to develop skills, knowledge and/or competencies to be able to make informed choices about the media content and services that they consume, create and disseminate.

• Best Media Literacy initiative targeting older people – any initiative (including projects, resources, training, research or campaigns) that helped empower older people aged 65 or above and living on the island of Ireland, to develop skills, knowledge and/or competencies to be able to make informed choices about the media content and services that they consume, create and disseminate.

• Best Community-based Media Literacy initiative – any initiative (including projects, resources, training, research or campaigns) to help empower people living within a particular community (either geographic or community of interest) on the island of Ireland, to develop skills, knowledge and/or competencies to be able to make informed choices about the media content and services that they consume, create and disseminate.

• Best General Media Literacy initiative – any initiative (including projects, resources, training, research or campaigns) which helped (directly or indirectly) to empower people living on the island of Ireland to develop skills, knowledge and/or competencies to be able to make informed choices about the media content and services that they consume, create and disseminate. Projects or initiatives may take any form including, but not limited to: Training, Research, Outreach Programmes, Projects, Resources, Advocacy, Network-building, Funding.

• Best Media-led media literacy initiative – any media organisation, media professional or media collaboration which has consistently supported the work of MLI and/or promoted media literacy messages via their channels, in an empowering and engaging way to people living on the island of Ireland.

• The Judges Award – this special award is an optional award. Applications or nominations cannot be made for this award. It can only be awarded if the Judges agree that a particular project or person deserves recognition for their exceptional contribution to promoting media literacy in Ireland.

Dates

• Entries open on 31 July 2014
• Entries close on 20 September 2024
• Short-list announced in early November 2024
• Awards ceremony takes place in late November 2024

Trophies

Winners will receive a beautiful, hand-crafted trophy to adorn their trophy shelf forever, as well as national recognition for their work.