Youth Group Cappawhite from Tipperary has been recognized with three prestigious accolades at Kinia’s recent Creative Technology Week, securing the titles of Creative Technology Project of the Year, TechSpacer of the Year, and Organisation of the Year. The group’s consistent engagement with Kinia programs underscores their commitment to empowering young individuals through digital tools, fostering creative expression, problem-solving skills, and future-oriented thinking.
The awards ceremony, a highlight of Kinia’s annual showcase of young digital innovators, celebrated groundbreaking projects in areas such as Creative Technology, Smart Energy, Green Tech, Mobile Filmmaking, Podcasting, and Robotics. Over 600 young innovators from across Ireland participated in the two-day event held at the Explorium in Sandyford. Attendees engaged in hands-on workshops covering Machine Learning and AI, as well as competitions like the inaugural Kinia Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP), which challenged young minds to race hydrogen-powered vehicles. Kinia also announced the launch of a new Hydrogen skills program, further demonstrating its commitment to pioneering hydrogen energy education in Ireland.
Diana Tuamashova of Youthreach in Cappawhite, the individual winner of both the Creative Technology Project and TechSpacer of the Year awards, presented her “Flush Tracker” project. This initiative utilized the Microbit to monitor water wastage in toilets, proposing simple solutions like placing a brick in the cistern to conserve water. Her research indicated significant potential water savings through such measures.
Kinia, a non-profit and social enterprise focused on education, is dedicated to addressing educational inequality by developing digital skills and providing access to technology career pathways for young people across Ireland. In 2024, Kinia supported 2,725 educators and positively impacted 21,600 young people across 436 organizations.
Creative Technology Week serves as a celebration of Kinia’s mission to provide learning opportunities that unlock skills, talent, and creativity, empowering young people to confidently shape a more equitable and sustainable future. The flagship events welcomed teachers, youth and community workers alongside young people aged 12–18.
Beyond the award winners, all young participants who submitted projects during Creative Technology Week received Kinia Credentials, recognizing the development of valuable skills such as Collaboration, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. These credentials enable young people to build a personal portfolio of skills relevant for their future endeavors.
Marianne Checkley, CEO of Kinia, commented on the event, stating, “We believe in the potential of every young person. As technology continues its rapid advancement, it’s crucial to ensure that no young person or community is left behind. Creative Technology Week highlights Kinia’s ongoing efforts to break down barriers and ensure every young person has the opportunity to explore, create, and shape their future.”
She further added, “We are consistently impressed by the ingenuity and creativity demonstrated in the projects, and this year was no exception. We observed a strong focus on how technology and renewable energy can empower communities to reimagine their futures, with projects ranging from mini-solar powered farms to green villages and initiatives like ‘How the Kinia Tech Helped Our School Save Water’.”
