Communities, schools, volunteers and organisations from across Wales have been recognised for their outstanding environmental achievements at the Tidy Wales Awards 2026, hosted by Keep Wales Tidy.
Held at Cardiff’s Temple of Peace and sponsored by Wales & West Housing, the awards celebrated individuals and groups whose work is creating cleaner, greener and more resilient communities. This year’s winners demonstrate a powerful theme: local action creating lasting change. From restoring habitats and transforming neglected spaces to reducing waste, growing food and inspiring volunteers, their achievements show how environmental action can strengthen communities as well as protect nature.
The Tidy Wales Awards celebrate the very best of Wales. Every finalist here today has shown what can be achieved when people care deeply about the places where they live, work and learn.
At a time when communities and nature face significant challenges, these individuals and organisations remind us that positive change starts locally. Whether they are restoring rivers, teaching children to grow food, creating spaces for wildlife or bringing communities together, their actions are making a real and lasting difference.
Owen Derbyshire Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive
Celebrating environmental excellence across Wales
Among this year’s winners was Cardiff Rivers Group, which received the Community Group Resilience Award for its innovative approach to environmental improvement and community engagement. The group was also presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award, recognising its long-term contribution to volunteer development, environmental action and support for local charities.
This year’s winners included:
- The Circular Studio (Caerphilly), winner of the Circular Economy Innovation Award, for transforming textile waste through repair, upcycling and skills-sharing programmes.
- Joan Marner (Vale of Glamorgan), winner of the Cleaner Communities Award, for leading a team of 76 volunteers who have removed more than 2,000 bags of litter and recycling from the local environment.
- Cwmffrwdoer Primary School (Torfaen), winner of the Community Food Growing Award, for creating a thriving growing space that brings together pupils, families and the wider community.
- One Life Autism (Blaenau Gwent), winner of the Community Transformation Award, for transforming a neglected, fly-tipped site into a vibrant community garden.
- Prendergast CP School (Pembrokeshire), winner of the Matt Bunt Award for Eco-Schools Excellence, for embedding environmental action throughout school life and empowering pupils to lead sustainability projects.
- Grŵp Cymunedol Caru Amlwch (Ynys Môn), winner of the Nature in the Community Award, for creating a flourishing community nature space that now supports Anglesey’s largest recorded water vole population.
- Aberoutdoors (Ceredigion), winner of the Uniting for Environmental Impact Award, for bringing together residents, students and visitors through environmental volunteering.
- Dawn Doyle (Rhondda Cynon Taf), winner of the Volunteer of the Year Award, for her inspirational leadership at Brynna Community Garden.
- Cameron Anderson, Undeb Aber (Ceredigion), winner of the Young Volunteer of the Year Award, for inspiring young people to get involved in environmental volunteering and conservation.
The awards also recognised an exceptional group of finalists whose projects are making a positive difference in communities across Wales.
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the Tidy Wales Awards 2026, and thank you for the incredible work you do to protect and enhance Wales’ environment for future generations.
