The Association and Institutes Awards have long honoured organisations shaping Ireland's professional and business landscape, spotlighting excellence in innovation, education, and member engagement.

Among last year's finalists, the Irish Countrywomen's Association, Ireland's largest women's organisation dedicated to community education and cultural preservation, was shortlisted for the Social Impact Award, reflecting its transformative approach to safeguarding traditional skills.

The shortlisting acknowledged Handcraft Week, a strategic initiative bringing together proficient and hobbyist Irish Heritage Crafters at An Grianán, the ICA's Adult Education Residential College in County Louth. The programme created a structured platform for knowledge sharing, skills development, and proficiency testing across traditional Irish crafts, directly addressing the risk of cultural skill erosion in an increasingly digitalised economy.

Central to the initiative's impact was its dual focus on preservation and progression. Participants engaged in hands-on practice, formal proficiency assessments, and peer-to-peer teaching, ensuring that techniques passed down through generations remain viable and accessible. This approach transformed heritage crafts from passive cultural artifacts into active, living practices embedded within contemporary community life.

This shortlisting arrived as cultural organisations across sectors confronted mounting challenges in sustaining traditional knowledge systems amid shifting demographics and evolving leisure preferences. The ICA's model demonstrated how residential education environments can serve as catalysts for social cohesion, offering a blueprint for associations balancing heritage preservation with modern engagement strategies—a challenge intensified by rural population decline and the fragmentation of community networks.

This holistic approach mirrors the mission of The Association and Institutes Awards, which honour organisations demonstrating leadership, innovation, and measurable impact. The ICA's shortlisting for the Social Impact Award underscored its pivotal role in preserving Irish cultural heritage, advancing community education, and fostering intergenerational connection through practical, accessible programming.

For more information on finalists, past winners, and judging insights, visit the official Association and Institutes Awards website.