Junk Kouture Among 20 New Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions for 2024-2025
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has appointed 20 new organisations as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions, including Junk Kouture. These champions reflect a commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting a sustainable future.
This recognition from the government is particularly exciting for Junk Kouture as it highlights the impact we’re making in educating young people on sustainability through creativity and innovation. Currently, we’re present in 60% of secondary schools in Ireland, inspiring students to transform waste into fashion and take responsibility for their future.
Katie Brill from Junk Kouture expressed the organisation’s vision: “As an SDG Champion, Junk Kouture aims to increase awareness and understanding of the SDGs among young people. Through creativity and innovation, we inspire students to engage with sustainability by transforming waste into fashion, creating a generation that is aware of global challenges, willing to take responsibility for their actions, and determined to make positive changes for their future.”
The newly appointed champions include diverse organisations such as The Irish Girl Guides, Sligo Rovers, ALDI, and Mayo County Council. With these new appointments, the total number of SDG Champions in Ireland now stands at 54, including previous participants like Musgraves, the GAA, Macra na Feirme, and Chambers Ireland.
Minister Ryan emphasised the urgency and collective effort needed to achieve the SDGs: “The world is currently off track to achieve the SDGs, and accelerated action is needed. However, in this decade of action, Ireland is determined to play a leading role in delivering on the goals – locally, nationally, and internationally.”
He noted the significant interest in the programme: “Over 90 organisations applied this year, showing the growing commitment of Irish society to promote goals centred on equality, access to basic rights, and climate justice. The SDG Champions, through their work, help show that the SDGs belong to everyone, in every community, and that everyone can play a role.”
The 2024-2025 SDG Champions will raise awareness of the SDGs as a roadmap for a safer, fairer, and more sustainable future for all. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications will work with this year’s champions and SDG Ambassadors to advance the SDGs and the Sustainable Development 2030 Agenda in Ireland