TU Dublin Enactus team crowned Enactus UK & Ireland Champions
TU Dublin was proud to host a special event to celebrate the TU Dublin Enactus team who achieved a landmark milestone as they were crowned Enactus UK & Ireland Champions, earning the opportunity to represent both countries at the Enactus World Cup in São Paulo, Brazil.
Enactus is one of the world’s largest student-led social entrepreneurship networks, with more than 1,500 university teams across 30 countries using business and innovation skills to address challenges linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Led by students Ethan Levins and Giada Franzolini, the TU Dublin team brought together students from business, sports coaching, engineering, forensic science, and computer science. Together, with fellow students, Bohdan Yeriemenko, Samuel Oni, Marie Perla Biansumba, Frantisek Kadlec, Daniela Kubelniece, Teodor Stoyanov and David Omozokpia, they combined creativity, empathy, and entrepreneurial thinking to develop projects that deliver measurable impact including:
- S’port for Grief – a coaching education initiative that equips sports organisations to support young people through loss, creating safe spaces for healing, connection, and remembrance.
- BiaBox – a social enterprise reducing food waste by redistributing surplus food to communities through safe, transparent processes, supporting both people and the planet.
Ethan Levins, TU Dublin Enactus Chair said:
"I believe it’s easy to focus on the negatives in today’s world, but Enactus has shown me how much positive impact students can create for each other and our communities. When more people take action to create change, no matter how small, the world starts to look like a very different place."
Giada Franzolini TU Dublin Enactus Vice Chair, said:
"Enactus gave me a new perspective on what is possible. It gave me the space to turn ideas into action and opened my eyes to the fact that real social and environmental impact can start in our local communities. What motivates me is seeing the tangible difference our ventures make in people's lives. Knowing that building a business and creating meaningful change in the world aren't two separate things; they go hand in hand."
A Reflection of TU Dublin’s Values
TU Dublin President, Dr Deirdre Lillis said that the students’ achievement is “more than a competition win - it is proof that when education, enterprise, and purpose come together, we can create meaningful change”.
“At TU Dublin, we are deeply committed to practice-based learning, and what we see in Enactus is exactly that - students applying their knowledge in real-world settings, working across disciplines, and developing solutions that matter.”
“We are equally committed to enterprise engagement and community impact. These projects show how our students engage meaningfully with partners, respond to real needs, and deliver outcomes that benefit society.”
“This is also a powerful example of knowledge in action where ideas are translated into practical solutions that improve lives. It reflects our ambition to lead not only in teaching and research, but in making a tangible difference.”
Global Citizens
Vice President for Sustainability Jennifer Boyer said the projects developed by the students embody TU Dublin’s graduate attribute of creating sustainability-focused global citizens - graduates who can navigate complexity, collaborate across disciplines, and lead with resilience and purpose.
“Together, the students highlight what sustainability leadership looks like in practice - thoughtful, entrepreneurial, and rooted in communities, creating positive change where it matters most.”
The Power of Experience
Dr Lucia Walsh, Sustainability Education and Innovation Lead at TU Dublin said:
“I’ve had the privilege of supporting Enactus here at TU Dublin for almost ten years, and in that time I’ve seen first-hand how students grow through this experience - their creativity, their entrepreneurial mindset, their curiosity, and their willingness to take on complex sustainability challenges in our local communities.”
“What stands out most is something else. It’s the heart they bring to their work - the connections they build with each other and with communities, and the genuine care and effort they put into everything that they do. These are the qualities we need in our future leaders.”
Christy O'Shea, Head of Student Life TU Dublin said:
"It was fantastic to see the students involved in the TU Dublin Enactus Society being recognised for the incredible commitment, creativity and passion they have shown over a sustained period of time.”
“Initiatives such as S’port for Grief and Bia Box demonstrate the genuine societal impact that can be achieved when students come together outside of the classroom and apply their academic learning, personal experiences and shared values to real-world challenges. To now see these students progress to represent TU Dublin at the Enactus World Cup in Brazil is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of the positive and lasting impact they are making within communities locally and internationally."
A Global Stage
Winning the Enactus UK & Ireland Championship places TU Dublin among the top university Enactus teams in the world.
According to Enactus UK & Ireland CEO Amy Brereton, participation in the Enactus World Cup automatically places teams within the top 1% globally.
Amy Brerton said:
“What an incredible opportunity for the students, and of course for TU Dublin, placing the university firmly on the map on a global stage as a leader in developing world-leading graduate attributes and skills through meaningful societal impact.”
The 2026 Enactus World Cup is being held in São Paulo, Brazil, from November 16–19, 2026. This global summit will bring together thousands of student entrepreneurs, educators, and business leaders to celebrate youth-led social innovation and sustainable entrepreneurial action. Good luck to our TU Dublin team!