The GLAS community garden in Ballymun has won first prize in the Community Environment Initiative category at the 2026 Dublin City North West Area City Neighbourhood Awards.
The GLAS garden has been part of the Ballymun community for more than 14 years, bringing people together to grow food, connect with nature and take practical action for their local environment.
The award recognises the contribution of the garden as a welcoming green space where people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities can meet, learn, share skills and care for nature together.
Over time, those simple connections can become friendships, confidence and a stronger sense of community. That is what makes GLAS so special: it is a place where people and nature can flourish together.
When people feel connected to the place where they live, they are more likely to care for it. That sense of pride and belonging can turn into action, leading to small changes in how we live, work together and look after our shared environment.
For GAP, that is what environmental behaviour change is about: creating the conditions for people to make change happen, together.
The garden includes areas for growing food, biodiversity and wildlife, as well as a polytunnel, pond, composting systems, rainwater harvesting and other features that support sustainable growing and learning.
We’re delighted to receive this award. For us, the GLAS garden is about radical inclusivity. The garden is a space where everyone can feel welcome, connect with nature and with other people, and find a sense of belonging.
GLAS has been repeatedly recognised in the Dublin City Neighbourhood Awards. The Dublin City Neighbourhood Awards celebrate the contribution of local residents, community groups and organisations to improving their neighbourhoods and creating greener, cleaner and more connected communities.
