GIY Ireland wins the 2024 Waterford Digital Awards

Waterford Local Enterprise Office, together with Waterford City and County Council, have announced GIY Ireland as their 2024 Waterford Digital Awards Overall Winner.

The ceremony, which took place at Dooley’s Hotel on Friday, June 7, aimed to recognise and reward SMEs who have developed their ecommerce and digital platforms as part of their product offering. The awards were open to all businesses with less than 50 full-time employees based in County Waterford.

GIY Ireland, the overall winner, empowers individuals globally to lead healthier and more sustainable lives by growing some of their own food. Its goal is to inspire over 100 million people by 2030, to engage in food growing at home, school, work, and within their community. Its aim is to foster a global community of food growers to contribute to a sustainable food system.

Founder, Michael Kelly, shared his delight at winning the award. 

“Delivering educational content via our digital channels is a critical activity to drive people towards new behaviours around food, particularly encouraging them to grow some of their own food," he said. 

"We’re so proud that these efforts have been rewarded today. We’d like to thank the team at the LEO for all its help over the years,” added Mr Kelly. 

Gareth Evans, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Waterford, commented on the quality and standard of entries. “This is our 3rd Digital Awards and my first. Having spoken to the judges during the process, they were extremely impressed with the quality and quantity of entries. 

"Being home to the oldest City in Ireland, Waterford has been and is an innovative county having to adapt many times. It’s great to see that innovative spirit continue with another fresh group of entries and winners, demonstrating the amazing talent we have, and what a great place Waterford is for new ideas," concluded Mr Evans.