The OPW wins prestigious EU award for its work to improve energy efficiency in Heritage properties

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is delighted to announce that it has won a prestigious European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2026 for its training programme to improve energy efficiency in Heritage properties.

The OPW scooped the award under the ‘Education, Training and Skills’ category in the EU wide annual awards.

The OPW developed specific technical guidance and a training programme for stakeholders to learn about enhancing energy efficiency in heritage buildings in State care, crucially, without compromising the heritage value.

Welcoming the news, Rosemary Collier, Head of Heritage Service and Capital Works Delivery at the OPW said: “The OPW is honoured to receive the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Award 2026.

This programme has provided practical guidance and technical training to building professionals to support the sustainable management of Ireland’s heritage buildings. This prestigious recognition underscores the OPW’s commitment to innovation in heritage conservation and climate action.

The initiative was first launched in 2021 when the OPW developed practical steps around how to address the complex challenge of enhancing energy efficiency in these unique properties without losing any of the heritage value.

A guidance document called ’OPW Approaches to Improving the Energy Performance of Heritage Properties in State Care’ was developed along with six case studies covering a range of heritage building types.

In 2025, the initiative which was co-funded by the European Union culminated in a three-day training programme, attended by over 400 stakeholders from across the public sector.

This training, was delivered by 35 leading Irish and international experts, and was designed to upskill and empower public sector professionals to commission and design sensitive, effective and innovative energy improvement works for heritage properties. These resources and training are now also available to the general public online on the OPW website by using this link.

OPW Chairman, John Conlon said: “Winning this award is a testament to our dedication to pioneering innovative solutions for Ireland’s historic buildings.

“By engaging over 400 professionals and stakeholders through targeted training and practical guidance, the OPW has empowered a new generation to deliver sensitive, effective energy improvements in heritage buildings.

“We are proud to lead the way in safeguarding our national cultural heritage while advancing climate action.”

The OPW’s award-winning initiative exemplifies how thoughtful, innovative approaches can protect cultural assets while advancing sustainability at a time of climate crisis

By developing best-practice guidance, the OPW’s work serves as a model for heritage custodians across Europe and underscores Ireland’s commitment to both conservation and climate action.

Of this initiative, the Europa Nostra Awards Jury wrote, “The initiative strengthens the capacity of public authorities and heritage professionals to apply European energy-efficiency standards in historic buildings in a structured and practical way. It combines high technical quality with a balanced approach that safeguards heritage value while contributing to long-term climate goals.”

The winners will be celebrated at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony 2026 on 28 May 2026 at the Municipal Theatre of Nicosia, Cyprus.

The high-profile event will be hosted by European Commissioner Glenn Micallef, and Europa Nostra’s Executive President, Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger. The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, will also be a guest of honour.

During this ceremony, the Public Choice Award winner — chosen from among this year’s winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, will be announced.

Heritage supporters and enthusiasts are now encouraged to discover the winners and vote online to decide who will win the Public Choice Award 2026.

Votes can be cast online for the OPW initiative until 12 May 2026.

The Awards Ceremony will be live streamed via the Europa Nostra website.

For further information about the OPW initiative (including a video), see the OPW dedicated page on this Europa Nostra link.

OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.

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NOTES

The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards are regarded as Europe’s most prestigious awards in the field of cultural heritage. Each year, these awards recognise exemplary achievements in conservation, research, education and awareness, with winners selected by an international jury of heritage experts.

In 2026, the OPW’s initiative was chosen by the Awards’ Jury from among 261 eligible applications submitted by organisations and individuals from 40 European countries, highlighting its significance and impact within the sector.

This initiative was delivered by bring together the expertise within the OPW and the private sector with the following contributors; Trinomics; Shaffrey Architects; Passivate Building Energy Consulting; ARUP Engineering; Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).

It was co-funded by the European Union via the EU Structural Reform Support Technical Support Instrument (TSI).

The Office of Public Works (OPW)

The OPW provides accommodation for Government Services and manages much of the State’s property portfolio.

It cares for 780 heritage sites, including national monuments, historic parks, gardens and buildings. It is the Government’s principal engineering agency, providing an engineering service to the Flood Risk Management and Estate Portfolio Management functions of the OPW as well as to other Government Departments.