11 cooperatives from across seven countries were recently honoured for their ground-breaking contributions to sustainability, digitalisation, community empowerment, and economic development within Europe’s agri-food sector. Tirlán was amongst those recognised at the prestigious ceremony, hosted in the European Parliament in Brussels.
Tirlán and its co-op members received an award in the Environmental Value Creation category, for its science-based model to improve water quality, recognised among Europe’s most pioneering cooperatives at the 6th Cogeca European Award for Cooperative Innovation.
This year’s event coincided with the UN International Year of Cooperatives, underscoring the vital role cooperatives play in driving rural resilience and farmer-led innovation.
The Award for Environmental Value Creation was presented by Irish MEP Barry Cowen to Tirlán’s Farm Sustainability Advisor, Matthew Moylan, in recognition of the ‘visionary, science-based blueprint for national water quality improvement’ developed by Tirlán and project partners as part of the ‘Farming for Water: River Slaney Project’.
The project brings together expertise from Tirlán, Teagasc, the Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO), local authorities, Uisce Eireann, the livestock and tillage sector and accounting and advisory specialists ifac to help enhance water quality in this river that flows through the heart of the Tirlán catchment area.
The learnings from the River Slaney Project will now be scaled across the Tirlán Catchment and shared with the Teagasc National Better Farming for Water Campaign.
Cogeca President Lennart Nilsson said the awards highlighted how cooperatives deliver practical, farmer-centred solutions to environmental and economic challenges.
“Cooperatives are not just economic actors, they are engines of innovation, sustainability, and community strength,” said Nilsson. “This year’s awardees exemplify how collective action can turn challenges into opportunities, ensuring a thriving future for European agriculture.”
