Lord Mayor's Community and Voluntary Awards: Gay Project has been a mainstay in Cork for over 40 years

People making a difference in their communities in Cork are set to be recognised at the 2025 Cork City Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards, with nominations for the forthcoming edition of the awards closing this coming Friday April 4.

Since 2004, the Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards have recognised over 130 voluntary and community groups across Cork City for their contribution to life in the city.

The Social Inclusion, Advocacy and Integration accolade at last year’s Cork Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary awards went to Gay Project.

A community organisation that provides support and advocates for gay men, bisexual men, men who have sex with men (MSM), trans and queer men and their families, Gay Project has been based in Cork for over 40 years.

Speaking to The Echo, Konrad Im, manager of Gay Project, described how much it meant to him and the group to win this particular award, especially on what was the 40 year anniversary for the Gay Project.

“For us it was fantastic to get the recognition,” he said. “It was great to have Arthur Leahy with us, as one of the original founding members of Gay Project when it first started.

“For the recognition of all of the staff who have come along the way and all of the activists that have been involved, it was great recognition and we were very grateful as well for the city council’s support of the years as well.”

Mr Im added: “The Gay Project community was really delighted because a lot of our work is voluntary.

“We have hundreds of volunteers involved throughout the year. So the award really was recognising their efforts. I think people were very positive and very greatful for the recognition.

“With ourselves now at the moment, we have just, after 40 years, purchased our own building. So we are now in renovation works for our own community centre.

“The recognition from the Lord Mayor has been great for us, when we are applying for support and grants to continue the work that we are doing.”

The Cork Gay Project’s services range from sports groups. They have cultural groups such as drag school, and also a book club and a social cafe for older men.

Cork Gay Project also aims to inform and contribute to relevant policy-making and advance LGBT+ civil rights at a local, national and international level.

The Gay Project runs numerous events and programmes, including Gold Café which is an opportunity for older gay men to meet, socialise, and chat with other men of a similar age, and Rainbow Diverse Abilities which is an 18+ social safe space for members.

Gay Project also provides education and training and is available to provide talks in schools and workplaces on LGBT+ issues.

The categories for the 2025 Cork City Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards are:  

• Arts, Culture, Recreation & Heritage 
• Climate Action, Active Travel & Sustainable Development
• Community Development & Lifelong Learning
• Recreation, Sport, Heath & Wellbeing 
• Social Inclusion, Advocacy & Integration
• Social Services, Charities & Environment

The Echo will be sharing the stories of the nominees and the award winners over the next few weeks and months ahead.

The closing date for nominations is Friday April 4. The winners will then be announced at a Civic Ceremony in Cork City Hall on Wednesday May 7.

Members of the public are invited to nominate community and voluntary groups they would like to see recognised for the good work in which they do.

Applications for the 2025 Cork City Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards can be made online at corkcity.ie/lordmayorawards.