The wait is over! The shortlisted entries for the Media Literacy Ireland Awards 2025 have been announced. With a record number of entries this year, it was not an easy task, especially given the high calibre of the entries. Listed in alphabetical order, the shortlisted entries are as follows.
The judges for this category were:
The shortlist is as follows:
A project by by Aphra Kerr, UCD, in collaboration with Savoir Devenir (France), Maynooth University (Ireland), Association for Communication and Media Culture-DKMK (Croatia) and Iscte-University Institute of Lisbon (Portugal)
Algowatch is an online game developed for young people to discuss the topic of algorithms, AI and disinformation, and is available in multiple languages.
What the judges said: ‘Given the topicality of algorithms, AI and disinformation, this is a novel and timely initiative that tackles the urgent issue of disinformation through AI workshops and international collaboration, making it both relevant and impactful.’
A project by Createschool
Creative Media Passport is a self-paced learning framework, tied to the curriculum, which offers Transition Year students a flexible and engaging way to explore media literacy and build core competencies in digital storytelling, media analysis and responsible content creation.
What the judges said: ‘This is very credible and well-structured initiative that connects digital citizenship with ethics, offering young people a flexible and engaging way to explore media literacy. The flexible, self-paced learning framework makes learning both meaningful and accessible.’
A project by Kinia
Creative Technology Week, or Tech Féile, is an event that showcases Kinia’s work in schools. This hands-on event, which takes place in English and as Gaeilge, explores digital skills and technology in a process-driven way.
What the judges said: ‘This hands-on, child-centred, initiative engages participants creatively while making the exploration of digital skills and technology accessible and relevant to all the communities involved.’
A project by SLí, Europe Direct Waterford and South Tipperary Youth Information Centre, and Waterford Libraries
Taking place in Waterford, this one-day conference brought together over 400 young people from the South East of Ireland to raise awareness of the presence and problems of mis/disinformation in the lives of young people.
What the judges said: ‘Dismiss the Noise is an excellent example of a strong regional initiative that provided an empowering first step into media literacy. Created for young people, by young people, this project also demonstrated meaningful collaboration with a range of local organisations to showcase diverse voices and increase the reach and relevance of the subject matter.’
A project by Webwise
This peer-led programme invites young people to become Safer Internet Day Ambassadors for their schools. Through training, this programme empowers young people to be leaders in their school promoting online safety.
What the judges said: ‘This long-running programme demonstrates a very inclusive approach which connects schools, youth panels and EU networks, while providing accessible resources that make a real impact.’
The judges for this category were:
The shortlist is as follows:
A project by the ADAPT Centre
This two-year project aims to empower older adults across Ireland to critically engage with and interact with AI-driven technologies, media content, products and services.
What the judges said: ‘This project is a well-designed, inclusive and innovative public engagement initiative, built on a strong foundation of co-creation where older adults are active contributors to the development of the programme.’
A project by the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) in conjunction with member banks, including Allied Irish Bank plc, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, An Post Money, Avant Money, Citibank Europe plc, Barclays, Revolut and Irish League of Credit Unions
FraudSMART is a national public awareness campaign that aims to empower older people with clear, accessible fraud prevention resources that build trust and confidence.
What the judges said: ‘FraudSMART is a very engaging public awareness initiative that works hard to reach its target audience through strong collaboration and a multi-layered approach across a range of partners and trusted ambassadors.’
A project by the Vodafone Foundation, in partnership with ALONE and the Irish Girl Guides
Hi Digital is an intergenerational project based on a step-by-step course designed for older people who may need a little help developing their digital skills. By connecting the Girl Guides with older people in the community, the project facilitates connections that can help older people with their digital and media literacy needs.
What the judges said: ‘The inclusive and considered nature of this initiative has the potential to successfully empower older people with essential digital and media literacy skills, while fostering confidence, independence and social connection.’
A project by Louth Local Development – SICAP Programme
This programme was designed to help older people develop a range of digital and media literacy skills through a combination of themed tutor-led training and drop-in clinics in an accessible and welcoming café setting.
What the judges said: ‘By offering drop-in style classes, the initiative appeals to a wide range of users and is accessible and welcoming and truly meets people where they are. The use of volunteer digital champions adds a powerful peer support dimension, building trust and solidarity.’
The judges for this category were:
The shortlist is as follows:
A project by the ADAPT Centre
This is a national training initiative designed to build AI literacy among post-primary educators and empower them to guide students in the ethical, informed and responsible use of AI.
What the judges said: ‘This initiative addresses an urgent and growing need in media literacy by equipping teachers with the skills and confidence to bring AI concepts into the classroom through the provision of adaptable teaching resources, accessible to different classroom contexts and learner levels, and balancing technical skills with ethical reflection.’
A project by Northern Ireland Screen
This was a week-long digital arts and media literacy programme aimed at developing the creative, technical and ethical competencies of children aged 7–12, particularly those facing barriers to participation and from under-represented communities.
What the judges said: ‘Collaboration was an important feature of this project, with multiple civic and community partners coming together to deliver high-quality support and access for children in care, neurodivergent learners, and those from underrepresented communities.’
A project by CyberSafeKids
This project is designed to address the vulnerabilities experienced by young people with additional learning needs by empowering them via education to navigate the online world in a safer way.
What the judges said: ‘This initiative makes an important contribution by targeting a group often left out of digital literacy initiatives. It is a very worthwhile initiative, which, from the outset, has been designed to involve the young people in their own learning and as practically as possible.’
A project by Kinia
This initiative empowers and gives a voice to young members of the Travelling Community by providing them with training and equipment access free of charge to create their own podcasts and films.
What the judges said: ‘This project gives participants ownership of their stories and a platform to challenge stereotypes, and provides a way for the Travelling Community to maintain their traditions now through a digital lens.’
The judges for this category were:
The shortlist is as follows:
A project by Trina Mara and Eoin Glackin
This was a 26-episode radio show series broadcast on Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio, designed to provide parents and guardians with accessible advice and resources on the benefits and challenges of social media for children and young people.
What the judges said: ‘This entry clearly supported the aims of MLI and the dissemination of media literacy generally. It represents a well-researched and considered approach to managing a potentially challenging topic on daytime radio by normalising conversations about the challenges facing parents in relation to social media.’
A project by Clare FM
True Colours was a series of 10 on-air features broadcast by Clare FM, spotlighting the real-life experience of LGBTQIA+ individuals across the county. Through the production process, contributors learned about media messaging and modelled respectful storytelling and safe and ethical media practices.
What the judges said: ‘This episodic series embodies inclusivity and with different ages, gender identities, ethnic backgrounds and social experiences all represented.’
A project by NewsBrands Ireland
Young Journalist Ireland is a national Student Journalism and News Literacy Programme for Transition Year students designed to teach students the core principles of journalism and empowering them with critical thinking and news literacy skills.
What the judges said: ‘This initiative empowers young people to create and innovate. It promotes learning and understanding by doing. Inspired by real newsrooms, it teaches the core principals of journalism using up-to-date methods to give real media literacy skills to those who engage with this initiative.’
The judges for this category were:
The shortlist is as follows:
A project by the ADAPT Centre
This initiative aims to create a national conversation around AI, giving people the knowledge and skills to critically engage with AI-driven systems and make informed choices about the content they engage with. The project has a particular focus on underserved or marginalised communities.
What the judges said: ‘This is an inclusive, well-researched, creative approach to AI literacy. With meaningful engagement from a range of stakeholders, it has the potential to reach and connect with diverse audiences across different age groups and demographics.’
A project by Joanne Sweeney
This is a daily six-minute podcast sharing news, views, tips and insights into the world of AI and how to embrace it as part of one’s work.
What the judges said: ‘With a clever, digestible format and relevant, accessible content addressing contemporary concerns around artificial intelligence, these bite-size episodes provide a manageable way for audiences who are new to AI to engage with the topic.’
A project by Ciarán O’Connor and Donal Mulligan
This podcast series aims to provide ‘enough’ well-researched, factual information about AI to build listeners’ confidence and comfort about the topic in an accessible way.
What the judges said: ‘This is a well-researched and science-informed approach to this topic which positions AI literacy within the broader media literacy landscape. The clarity and quality of the content, as well as the signposting to accessible resources, help to make some of these potentially complex topics more relatable.’
A project by Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB
This was a 4-week programme designed to help adult learners feel more confident in using everyday technology and evaluating information.
What the judges said: ‘This initiative represents a very inclusive, heartfelt, creative, lifelong learning and hands-on approach to media literacy, with a strong emphasis on practical media production skills that successfully built confidence and skills among participants with different learning needs.’
Well done again to all the shortlisted entries!
The winners will be announced at our invitation-only Media Literacy Ireland Awards event in Virgin Media Studies on Monday, 6 October.