Cork schools among prizewinners at global issues game-making competition

Students at two Cork schools were among the prizewinners in a Trocaire competition to get young people to address global issues by designing educational games.

Pupils from Ballinspittle National School took second place in the primary category at the 2025 Trócaire Game Changers national final. 

Their game, ‘Resource Run’, impressed judges and youth participants at the event, at The Helix, Dublin, this week. In the post-primary category, St Mary’s High School, Midleton, took second place with their game, ‘Climate Crisis, The Game’, which focused on navigating the climate crisis.

More than 200 students, teachers, and youth workers from across Ireland attended the final showcase, where 29 teams of finalists presented their board or card games on global justice themes linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Winners were chosen by other finalists and the Trócaire judging panel. Everyone played and voted on all of the games.

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This year’s entries covered topics such as climate justice, gender equality, food security, conflict, education, and sustainability. More than 130 entries were submitted from schools and youth groups across the country.

The initiative promotes peer learning, empathy, and critical thinking and is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

According to Mary Coogan, Trócaire’s development education manager, the competition brought global justice learning to life.

“The standard this year was outstanding, and we’re delighted to celebrate the creativity and passion shown by young people, like those from all Cork schools,” she said.

Other Cork finalists included another entry from Ballinspittle National School, called ‘The Hunger Run’, and Scoil Eoin, Innishannon, with their game, ‘Justice Chess’.

Registrations for next year’s programme will open shortly on the Trócaire website.