Power NI, a member of the Energia Group, has officially partnered with the environmental charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful to sponsor the Green Flag Award Programme. The partnership is designed to strengthen local communities and maintain high environmental standards for public spaces across Northern Ireland.

The Green Flag Award serves as an international certification for the effective management of parks and green spaces. To retain their status, sites must undergo annual assessments based on criteria including safety, sustainability, and community involvement. There are currently 118 recognised sites across the country, ranging from large council-run parks and heritage locations to smaller community gardens managed by volunteers.

Power NI’s sponsorship will specifically focus on expanding the network of community-led sites. By supporting these spaces, the initiative aims to ensure that residents have access to high-quality outdoor areas that promote physical health and mental wellbeing.

William Steele, Director of Customer Solutions at Power NI, stated:

“We are proud to sponsor the Green Flag Award Programme in Northern Ireland and to partner with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful on a programme that delivers tangible benefits for local communities. “High-quality green spaces are vital to health, wellbeing and social connection, and this partnership supports the people and organisations working to maintain them.

“Our sponsorship will help grow the network of Green Flag community sites, encouraging local groups and residents to take an active role in caring for their environment and creating spaces that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.”

The Green Flag initiative also facilitates the sharing of best practices among park managers and volunteers, encouraging continuous improvement in the stewardship of local environments. Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful is one of four charities currently supported by the Energia Group Greener Possibilities Fund, which aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable communities and climate action.

Eric Randall, CEO at Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, added:

“We are delighted to partner with Power NI to deliver the Green Flag Programme in Northern Ireland. We are fortunate to have many beautiful green spaces in Northern Ireland – and their sustainable management plays a vital role in supporting healthy communities and biodiversity.

“One of the strengths of the Green Flag programme is that it provides an opportunity for community-led green spaces to be supported and recognised – and this partnership will enable us to do more in this area.”