TU Dublin Students Earn International Recognition at Green Gown International Awards
Technological University Dublin is proudly celebrating the success of students whose innovative food sustainability initiatives have been recognised on the international stage at the Green Gown International Awards 2026.
The TU Dublin Food Pantry project, together with partner initiative BiaBox, received a Highly Commended award in the Creating Impact category for their joint submission, "Student-Led Food Impact: Tackling Waste, Hunger and Stigma", at the prestigious Green Gown International Awards. The category recognises institutions and projects that achieve significant sustainability outcomes while making effective use of limited resources.
The recognition marks another significant milestone for a project that has transformed the way food waste is redistributed within TU Dublin and beyond. In 2025, the TU Dublin Food Pantry won First Prize in the Creating Impact category at the Green Gown UK & Ireland Awards, automatically qualifying the initiative for international competition.
Student Leadership
What began as a single Food Pantry has grown into a four-campus network led by students from the (St Vincent de Paul) SVP Society, the Islamic Society and Enactus TU Dublin, supported by staff, Chaplaincy, FoodCloud and community partners. The initiative demonstrates how student leadership can scale practical solutions to food waste, hunger and social inequality.
The students leading the TU Dublin Food Pantry include Charlie Beaudelot, Sofia (Rashmi) Neofytou, Doireann Moroney, June Kinahan, Nicole Bulalacao, Qin Yan Ch'ng, Giovanni Salvatore, Ninoshka Amanda Fernandes, Olivia Nasyrova, Maryam Musari, Naira Fatima, with support from three class groups from the School of Marketing and Entrepreneurship on the Tallaght campus.
In February 2025, Enactus TU Dublin sustainability champions Giada Franzolini and Ethan Levins launched BiaBox, an initiative which redistributes surplus food directly to households across the wider community in a dignified and accessible way, extending the project's impact beyond the University.
Alongside the growth of the TU Dublin Food Pantry network, students Alan O’Regan and Bohdan Yeriemienko have continued developing ReFridge, a food redistribution app designed to make sharing surplus food more accessible and efficient.
Driving Real Impact
Since receiving the Green Gown UK & Ireland Award, the Food Pantry and BiaBox initiatives have collectively redistributed 26,177 kilograms of food, prevented an estimated 62,171 kilograms of CO₂ emissions, and provided the equivalent of 62,323 meals. These achievements have helped tackle food insecurity, supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), while reducing food waste and advancing SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
At TU Dublin Tallaght, as part of the Sustainability Action Lab programme, the TU Dublin Food Pantry network has also delivered six community cooking sessions using surplus food. More than 70 participants took part in creating 15 recipes, promoting food literacy, sustainability awareness and community connection while demonstrating practical ways to reduce food waste.
Recognition for Sustainability and Social Inclusion
The Green Gown Awards are among the most respected sustainability awards in the Higher Education sector, celebrating institutions and individuals that are delivering exceptional environmental and social impact.
The international recognition highlights how student-led innovation can address some of society's most pressing challenges simultaneously, tackling food waste, reducing stigma around food insecurity, strengthening community resilience and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement both on and off campus.
Congratulations to the many students leading the TU Dublin Food Pantry project; the SVP Society, the Islamic Society, Student Volunteering, Chaplancy, Sustainability Action Lab, and the students, staff, volunteers and partners whose dedication has helped make the TU Dublin Food Pantry project an internationally recognised example of sustainability in action.
Find out more about the Green Gown International Awards Creating Impact category here.