Hygiene Hub named Social Enterprise of the Year for tackling 'hygiene poverty'

The Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards recognises projects that address city challenges and strengthen communities

Add to preferred sources News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 13:13, 25 Sep 2026 View 2 Images Sorcha Killian, Hygiene Hub winner of Social Enterprise of the Year with the Nancy Ward Circular Economy Award (Image: John McElroy)

A group tackling ‘hygiene poverty’ has been awarded Social Enterprise of the Year.

The Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards in the Mansion House recognises the achievement of projects that tackle the city's challenges . Focusing on vision, innovation and commitment to strengthening communities and supporting opportunities €62,500 in prize funding awarded.

Top prize went to Hygiene Hub who tackle a growing but often overlooked issue of hygiene poverty. As the Social Enterprise of the Year, their redistribution model diverts surplus hygiene products from landfill into communities experiencing hardship. The circular element of their redistribution model also earned them the Nancy Ward Circular Economy.

“We’re proud to use this platform to shine a greater light on hygiene poverty, an issue that affects tens of thousands of people but remains too often unseen. Most importantly, it will help us reach more communities and support more people with the essentials they need,” Sorcha Killian Co-Founder, Head of Finance and Operations at Hygiene Hub said.

From using sport as a pathway to inclusion to discovering Dublin through the eyes of someone who has been affected by homelessness, the awards showcase remarkable organisations using a range of creative ways to make progress on issues including unemployment, mental health and environmental sustainability.

View 2 Images Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards 2026 winners, Lauryn Kuti, Sorcha Killian, Su Duff with Minister of State for Community Development, Jerry Buttimer T.D, Declan Flynn, , Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Daryl Barron, Regina Fogerty, Sinead Ryan, Joanne Hession and Sandra Kelleher (Image: John McElroy)

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daryl Barron congratulated the winners during the ceremony and said: “I am proud of the compassion, energy, and dedication that define the social enterprise community of this city. You serve as an inspirational reminder that business can be a driving force for good, shared prosperity, social inclusion and active citizenship.”

The keynote address was delivered by Minister of State for Community Development Jerry Buttimer TD who said that social enterprise showcases what businesses can achieve when they are driven “by purpose and inclusion” and “not just by profit”.

“The innovators here today put equality, community and sustainability at the heart of their business models and deliver a wide impact in Dublin and further afield. By entering these awards, you are helping to build awareness of social enterprise, the good that it delivers, and helping society see the value of social enterprises in our communities, across the city and the country,” he said.

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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