EAUC : Student-Led Food Impact: Tackling Waste, Hunger and Stigma

About

A single Food Pantry has grown into a multi-campus network, led by students from the SVP Society, Islamic Society and Enactus TU Dublin, supported by staff, Chaplaincy, FoodCloud and community partners. The initiative shows how student leadership can scale solutions to food waste, hunger and social inequality.

Alongside Food Pantries scaling, students created BiaBox, redistributing surplus food to households across the wider community in a dignified, accessible way, extending impact beyond the university. At Tallaght campus, six community-cooking sessions delivered, creating 15 recipes from surplus food, engaging over 70 participants, promoting food literacy, sustainability and community connection.

Since the regional win, the Food Pantries and BiaBox have collectively redistributed 26,177 kg of food (previously 2,000 kg), avoided 62,171 kg CO₂ emissions (previously 3,200 kg), and provided the equivalent of 62,323 meals (previously 4,762 meals).

Student leadership has been recognised through the Charlemagne Youth Prize for Ireland 2026, Outstanding Achievement Student Volunteering Award, Best Social Justice Society Award, AIB AMLE Circular Economy Project Finalist, TU Dublin Best New Volunteering Project 2026, and Enactus UK & Ireland Best Partner Collaboration and World Cup Qualifier awards, demonstrating lasting, scalable environmental and social impact.

Top 3 learnings

We learnt how to maximise our promotion & impact through collaborations across the university. We learnt how to expand projects across multiple campuses, increasing our volunteer base at the same time. We learnt how to secure micro funding for projects through competitions, grants and word- of mouth and maximise the limited resources for impact.

What is means to win

“Winning an International Green Gown Award would celebrate the power of student leadership in addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges. Through their vision, initiative and commitment, our students have transformed a local idea into a growing movement that reduces food waste, improves access to nutritious food, and creates more inclusive and dignified pathways of support. This initiative demonstrates how higher education can empower students to lead lasting environmental and social change within our communities and beyond.”

Judges comments

A focused and strategic project that successfully addresses two interconnected challenges, with clear goals and well-evidenced impact. It is highly relevant to the wider higher education sector and demonstrates an effective balance between student leadership and institutional support. The project is exemplary in its organisation and delivery, with impressive growth, multiple recognitions, and clear potential for replication across other national universities. Its consideration of the full circular process, including composting and recycling leftover food, is a particular strength. The project has also fostered a valuable sense of community, belonging and safety.

Sustainable Development Goals