TU Dublin SVP Food Pantry Named Irish Winner of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize
.jpg)
A student-run food pantry at TU Dublin has been named the Irish winner of the prestigious European Charlemagne Youth Prize, recognising its impact in tackling student hunger and food waste across the University.
The European Charlemagne Youth Prize is awarded annually by the European Parliament and celebrates projects led by young people that promote active citizenship, strengthen communities and bring people together across Europe.
The TU Dublin SVP Food Pantry is a student-led initiative designed to support students experiencing food insecurity while also addressing food waste across the University’s campuses. Over the past year, the project has saved more than 8,000 kilograms of food from landfill, prevented over 12,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions, and helped support more than 1,000 students.
The initiative operates in partnership with FoodCloud, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP), and a dedicated team of student volunteers. In addition to providing food for students, the project raises awareness about food waste and sustainability. Surplus food has also been used within the University’s culinary programmes and composted in the University community garden, ensuring that food resources are used as effectively as possible.
The national jury praised the project for providing a practical example of young Europeans working together to address real challenges in their communities and for creating a model that could be replicated across Ireland and Europe. The Irish jury for the award included Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and a representative from the National Youth Council of Ireland.
Commenting on the award, MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said:
“I am delighted to see the TU Dublin SVP Food Pantry recognised as the 2026 winner of the Charlemagne Youth Prize. This project exemplifies what the EU is really about: fostering active citizenship and bringing communities together. By young people, for young people, it fights student food insecurity and puts our European values of dignity, solidarity, and sustainability into practice.”
MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú added:
“All of the projects presented were of an exceptionally high standard, each demonstrating impressive creativity, careful planning, and a strong commitment to strengthening democracy, cooperation, and a shared European identity. I would like to warmly congratulate the winners, TU Dublin SVP Food Pantry, as well as the runners-up, Voices of Aphasia, for their innovative projects that make a meaningful and positive impact on their communities.”
The award recognises the dedication of a team of TU Dublin students from across several campuses.
Grangegorman Campus
Charlie Beaudelot – School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences
Doireann Moroney – School of Media
June Kinahan – School of Media
Rashmi Neofytou – School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences
Blanchardstown Campus
Nicole Bulalacao – School of Enterprise Computing and Digital Transformation
Qin Yan Ch'ng – School of Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Giovanni Salvatore – School of Global Business
Bolton Street Campus
Ninoshka Amanda Fernandes – School of Architecture, Building and Environment
June Kinahan – School of Media
Reflecting on the recognition, Doireann Moroney, of TU Dublin SVP Food Pantry and the School of Media, said:
“Winning this award is a proud milestone for everyone on our team and a testament to the unwavering support we have received from across the University community. As a society, we are truly grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way, including the TU Dublin Student Volunteering Team, chaplaincy services across our campuses, and the TU Dublin Students’ Union, whose support has helped the initiative grow and continue supporting students.”
As Ireland’s national winner, representatives from the TU Dublin SVP Food Pantry will travel to Aachen in May for the European awards ceremony, where the overall winners of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize will be announced. Each participating country selects one national winner, with the top three European projects receiving funding to support the continued development of their initiatives.
There is also a successful weekly Food Pantry on our Tallaght campus, run by the ISOC Society. Food Pantries across TU Dublin are supported and funded through the Student Volunteering programme, with additional support from Chaplaincy and TU Dublin Students’ Union staff.