Over 600 young people from across Ireland gathered in Dublin over the past two days to showcase their creativity and technological skills as part of Kinia’s Creative Technology Week 2025 — a national celebration of innovation, inclusion, and future-focused learning.
Held at Explorium, Ireland’s National Sports and Science Centre, the week-long series of events brought together young people aged between 12-18 years, educators, and youth workers for two flagship showcases: TechFéile, an all-Irish language celebration of digital creativity, and Creative TechFest, a bilingual event highlighting student-led innovation in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths), digital media, and computer science.
The week marked a milestone for Kinia, a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to reducing educational inequality through access to digital skills. In 2024, the organisation supported 21,600 young people and 2,725 educators across 436 schools and youth services — a record level of engagement.
This year’s Creative Technology Week also saw the launch of Ireland’s first Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) — an exciting new skills programme where students designed, engineered, and raced their own hydrogen-powered cars. Furthermore, Kinia is pioneering hydrogen energy education in Ireland. In this programme, young people can experience the process of creating renewable Hydrogen energy from a range of kits that leads to the design, engineering and building of their own hydrogen-powered cars.
The week also featured interactive workshops and maker space activities in areas like AI, robotics, podcasting, smart energy systems, and mobile filmmaking. These events highlighted the breadth of Kinia’s programming, which spans both technical and creative skill sets — and were delivered in English and Irish.
Reflecting on the week, Kinia CEO Marianne Checkley said, “We believe in the potential of every young person. As technology continues to develop at a fast pace, young people and communities are at risk of being left behind. To access exciting new career opportunities, they need the best quality learning environments. Creative Technology Week is about showing how our work in Kinia breaks down barriers and ensures that every young person has the chance to explore, create, and shape the future.
These events are a glimpse into the impact that Kinia has made throughout the year, broadening the horizons of young people by providing them with access to learning opportunities and future-focused skills. We’re always blown away by the ingenuity and creativity in the standard of projects, and this year is no different. This year, there is a real focus on how technology and renewable energy can support communities to reimagine their futures, from mini-solar powered farms to green villages and “How the Kinia Tech Helped Our School Save Water” are just a few to highlight.”
Kinia breaks down barriers and ensures that every young person has the chance to explore, create, and shape the future
A standout feature of the week was the awards ceremony, which honoured outstanding achievements in creativity, innovation, and social impact.
Marie Feeney, Forum Connemara CLG Youth Service and Adolescent Support Project, said “The impact has been very positive. Creative technology activities engage both boys and girls in youth services. It has helped staff develop transferable skills, and they are interested in playing with and finding ways to create new projects based on the materials and activities they've already used.”
Liam Devanney, a youth worker for Include Youth Project, Youth Work Ireland Cavan & Monaghan said, “Upskilling to keep up with emerging trends is a vital part of our job. By learning new skills, we can offer new opportunities and experiences for targeted young people in our area. From our training with Kinia, we’ve been able to run a wide range of STEAM activities with groups over the past 12 months.”
As Kinia looks ahead to scaling its hydrogen, AI, and creative technology programmes in 2025, Creative Technology Week reaffirmed its belief that young people — when supported with the right tools and opportunities — are ready to lead Ireland’s future in sustainability, innovation, and inclusion.
Award Winners Included:
Tech Féile
• Podcasting (Podchraoladh)
Winner: “Na Claisicigh” - Coláiste an Eachréidh, Galway
• Mobile Filmmaking (Scannánaíocht Mhóibíleach)
Winner: “An Daingean - fís & ealaíon” - Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle
• Creative Technology (Teicneolaíocht Chruthaitheach)
Winner: “Óir V Dearg” - Coláiste an Eachréidh, Galway
• Robotics (Róbataic)
Winner: “Obráid” - Coláiste an Eachréidh, Galway
• Organisation of the Year - Kinia
Winner: Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle
• Educator of the Year - Kinia (Oideachasóir na Bliana)
Winner: Bairbre Ní Choisdealbha
• TechSpacer of the Year - Kinia
Winner: Ruairí Ó hUanacháin - Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle
Tech Fest
• Podcasting
Winner: Youth Work Changes Life - Youthreach Cappawhite
• Mobile Filmmaking
Winner: The Pool War - Foróige
• Creative Technology
Winner: Flush Tracker - Youthreach Cappawhite
• Robotics
Winner: Empowering Students With Additional Need through Vex Robotics - Killina Presentation Secondary School
• Sustainable Technologies
Winner: Eco Town - New KD
Organisation of the Year
Winner: Youthreach Cappawhite
• TechSpacer of the Year
Winner: Diana Tumashova - Youthreach Cappawhite
For more information about Kinia and their work, visit www.Kinia.ie