29th October 2025

Four young entrepreneurs from Foróige’s Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) programme travelled to Shkodër, Albania, to represent Foróige and Ireland at the YouthStart European Entrepreneurship Award – and they brought back two bronze medals.

From Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny, Eva Marie Whelan (16) and Katie Hobson Shaw (16) pitched their business Bee Lush and secured a bronze medal in the Real Market Challenge category. Meanwhile, from Foróige Connect Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Andrew Ardeleanu (15) and Jason Heraty (17) presented their social enterprise Sensory Nature Crafts and earned a bronze medal in the We Grow Together category.

The YouthStart European Entrepreneurship Award celebrates innovation, teamwork and enterprise among young people across Europe. This year’s event brought together participants from more than fifteen countries to share ideas, learn from each other, and showcase their projects on an international stage.

Congratulations to Eva Marie, Katie, Andrew and Jason for representing Foróige and Ireland with creativity, confidence and pride. Their success highlights the impact of the NFTE programme in empowering young people with the skills, courage and belief to turn ideas into action.