Two Irish groups, the Digital Youth Council and Doodledale, are celebrating this morning after receiving word that they were shortlisted for the 2015 European Youth Award (EYA).
Critically acclaimed as a prestigious award, the European Youth Award has been awarded each year since 2012 in a bid to motivate young people, social entrepreneurs and start-ups to produce digital projects that will have a beneficial impact on society.
Organised by the International Center for New Media in Austria, the event offers Europe’s leading youth awards across eight different categories ranging from sustainability projects to open education and health.
It has been revealed that both Digital Youth Council (DYC) and Doodledale have made the shortlist of 60 groups.
Having only been founded last year, around the time the 2014 winners of the EYA were announced, the DYC has gone on to be one of the country’s leading organisations for promoting STEM subjects to Ireland’s youth.
Delighted to announce @DYCIRL have been shortlisted for @EYAgraz Awards ! Only 2 projects out of 60 are Irish! pic.twitter.com/PtAlfj8cTz
— Harry McCann (@TheHarryMcC) September 2, 2015
Delighted to be shortlisted for the Smart Learning category in @EYAgraz. Fingers crossed! @UStartDCU @LEOTipperary pic.twitter.com/zW3QaaPYfK
— Doodledale (@DoodledaleApp) September 2, 2015
The DYC, formed by Harry McCann, is heavily involved in the ever-growing EXCITED festival, held in Dublin Castle for the last two years and one of the fastest growing tech events on the Dublin calendar.
The second nomination for Ireland – Doodledale – is an interactive children’s storybook app that lets the child become part of the storytelling experience.
Aimed at children between the ages of five and eight, the child uses their tablet not just to read a story, but to draw it, too.
The app, which is actually in the final stages prior to launch, has already featured in a number of Irish events, including StartUp Weekend and DublinBeta. Doodledale picked up a third place finish at the latter.
The two organisations will now be eager to see how they do when the winners are announced by the judges on 20 November in Graz, Austria.
Graz, Austria image via Shutterstock
