The STAR Awards are an awards initiative coordinated by AONTAS as part of the annual Adult Learners' Festival to acknowledge the fantastic work undertaken by adult learning initiatives throughout Ireland. The awards celebrate the positive contribution that these initiatives make to individual adult learners, local communities and wider society. 

The winners will be announced on Monday 2^nd March at the STARS Awards in The Law Society, Dublin. Nominations were received under four categories and AONTAS have announced their shortlist as follows: 

Health and Wellbeing

• NLN Focus Recovery Programme
• Fit for Work and Life
• Clones Hen's Shed
• Finn Valley Men's Choir

Third Level Access and Engagement

• Professional Engagement Module – PEM
• Co-designing Accessible App
• Local Training Initiative in Cultural and Heritage Studies

Social Inclusion  

Small/Medium Organisations

• KCAT Arts Centre
• Mobile IT
• RADE CLG
• The Dillon's Cross Project

Social Inclusion

Large Organisations

• Deirdre Corby DCU Ability
• Diploma in Substance Misuse and Addiction Studies - A Special Purpose NFQ Level 7 Award
• LINC Programme
• Bedford Row Traveller DRIVE Initiative

Sustainable Employment

Small/Medium Organisations

• Muirhevnamor Local Training Initiative -  Dundalk
• Building Futures
• Vocational Training Programme – Brothers of Charity

Sustainable Employment

Large Organisations

• The EPIC Programme
• Ballyhoura Development Ability Programme
• Ability @Work
• Healthcare Opportunities for Women