Three innovative projects from University of Limerick researchers, which aim to develop a more sustainable city and region, have each been awarded €10,000 to develop their ideas.
Projects on safer cycling, e-scooters, sports nutrition, community arts, maths and myths, pain education, construction, and intergenerational learning were among those showcased at the 2026 UL Citizens' Assembly.
Organised by UL Engage and taking place as part of UL Research Week at Limerick Racecourse, the Assembly was composed of 140 stakeholders and citizens, taking representation from all ages and demographics across Limerick city and county.
The UL Citizens' Assembly is described as a 'safe and respectful' space for citizens to come together and discuss UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) focused actions from UL that can have a positive impact for Limerick.
The short-listed projects were selected according to their capacity to address an identified UN SDG.
Nine UL teams pitched their projects at the event, showing in-detail their plans to engage with the people of Limerick and the potential of their project to positively impact in the city and county.
The Citizens' Assembly used their vote to select three overall winners:
- The SMILE+ Project
- Givebackathon: Students Solving Digital Challenges for Local Charities
- SCOPE Project: Student led Community Outreach for Pain Education
Speaking at the event, UL Vice President Global and Community Engagement Professor Colin Fitzpatrick said: "The Citizens' Assembly has become a flagship initiative of UL Engage who have created a space where ideas are shaped and shared together.
"From our founding as the National Institute for Higher Education here in Limerick, UL was created with a clear purpose to be connected to its region and relevant to real-world needs.
"So when we talk about engagement today, we are not adding something new. We are building on something that has always been part of who we are. This Assembly demonstrates how meaningful collaboration between university and community can shape a more inclusive future."
The Assembly is a collaboration between UL, Public Participation Network Limerick (PPNL) and Limerick Comhairle na nÓg, supported by Limerick City and County Council, the Limerick Community Education Network (LCEN) and the Health Research Institute (HRI).
About the winning projects:
The SMILE+ Project
Smile+ will empower early years educators and families to work together to promote multilingualism and interculturalism in early years settings across Limerick. The project will facilitate world cafés and co-design workshops with families, educators, and community stakeholders to explore language use and intercultural training needs. It will also facilitate a pilot study in early years settings across Limerick to evaluate an intercultural workshop and toolkit.
Addressing: Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Project team: Dr Aoife Gallagher, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick; Mary Cantwell, Migrant Specific Guidance. Counsellor, Limerick & Clare Education and Training Board; Dr Hadjer Hammadi, Intercultural Engagement Specialist, Doras, Limerick; Tahereh Fardin Tabrizi, Asylum Migration Integration Funding Project Coordinator, Doras, Limerick; Melissa Barrett, Children's Integration Worker an Migrant Support Worker, Northside Family Resource Centre, Limerick; John Fenessy, Integration Manager River House IPAS Centre Limerick; Iurri Chupryna, Local Area Integration Team, Limerick City Council; Hassan Shariif, Local Area Integration Team, Limerick City Council
Partners: Local Authority Integration Team, Doras, Northside Family Resource Centre and Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board
Givebackathon: Students Solving Digital Challenges for Local Charities
A civic-engaged initiative where UL students collaborate with local charities to develop practical, responsible digital solutions that strengthen community impact, compliance, and long-term sustainability. Students will apply their technical skills to practical problems, while organisations receive tailored solutions and guidance they can use immediately.
Addressing: Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).
Project Team: Dr Roisin Lyons, Associate Professor at the Department of Management and Marketing, Kemmy Business School; Gillian Place, Immersive Software Engineering Public Engagement Officer; Ben Kiely, PhD researcher, Kemmy Business School; Cian McAuliffe, Teaching Assistant, Immersive Software Engineering.
Partners: RNLI, Society of St Vincent de Paul, Limerick Mental Health Association, Limerick IT Summit, Mental Health Ireland, Children's Grief Centre, Bedford Row Family Project, The Urban Co-Op, Social Factory, Ireland's Network for Teaching and Researching Entrepreneurship.
SCOPE Project: Student led Community Outreach for Pain Education
Providing a space for people living with pain to socialise and be supported and providing healthcare students opportunities to engage with and provide education/activities.
Addressing: SGD 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
UL Project Team: Dr Nóirín Lennox, Associate Professor in Medical Education, School of Medicine; Professor Karen McCreesh, School of Allied Health; Professor Liam Glynn, Professor of General Practice, School of Medicine; Dr Steven Byrne, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery and Dr Dympna Tuohy, Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Partners: Chronic Pain Ireland, Arthritis Ireland, Irish Men's Sheds Association
