Tidy Town

What Tidy Town does

TidyTowns (operated under the brand 'SuperValu TidyTowns') is Ireland's longest-running national community environmental competition, established in 1958 by Bord Fáilte (now Fáilte Ireland) and administered since by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht through a small dedicated TidyTowns Unit based in Ballina, County Mayo. The programme invites community groups across all 26 counties of Ireland to enter their town, village, island, or stand-alone area into an annual adjudication under eight categories (community involvement, streetscape, green spaces and biodiversity, sustainability, tidiness, residential areas, and approach roads), with entries submitted via an online portal (competition.tidytowns.ie) built on a WordPress CMS stack supplemented by Google Analytics, YouTube video integration, and OpenStreetMap for group location mapping. In 2025 the competition received a record 929 entries; the programme engages more than 30,000 volunteers contributing over 1 million hours annually, of whom 70% of committees have been active for more than ten years.

The commercial activity around TidyTowns is structured as a public-private partnership rather than a venture-funded business: SuperValu (Musgrave Group) has been the main national sponsor since 1991 and funds the headline prize pot of approximately €270,000 plus over €70,000 in special-prize money, while seventeen separate special awards are co-sponsored by government departments and agencies including the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the Department of Transport, the Environmental Protection Agency, the HSE National Dementia Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland, the Local Authority Waters Programme, the Tree Council of Ireland, Dark Sky Ireland, the Gum Litter Taskforce, and the National Biodiversity Data Centre. The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht channels grant funding to participating groups — €1.5 million distributed to 987 eligible groups in 2025 (over €12 million cumulatively since 2017), administered by Pobal — and entry is free for all participants regardless of area size.

The product surface comprises the core annual competition plus the online entry portal, the TidyTowns Handbook, regular newsletters, maps and graphs resources, and a video/webinar library; go-to-market is community-led with promotional amplification through RTÉ Nationwide broadcast, SuperValu's nationwide retail network, ministerial press channels, and 31 local authorities. There is no AI/ML capability in evidence, no proprietary technology platform, and no commercial revenue line; the entity is best understood as a publicly administered national programme with deep cultural entrenchment rather than a venture-backable business.

Name

Tidy Town

Legal name

SuperValu TidyTowns Competition (administered by Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht)

Website

https://tidytowns.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SuperValu TidyTowns is a publicly administered, free-to-enter nationwide community environmental competition in Ireland, run since 1958 by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht with SuperValu sponsorship, serving ~1,000 community groups across all 26 counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ballina

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht provides grant funding to TidyTowns groups. In 2025, €1.5 million was announced for 987 eligible TidyTowns groups. Since 2017, over €12 million has been provided in grant funding. This funding is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: SuperValu has been the main national sponsor of the TidyTowns competition since 1991 (now in its 36th year). Sponsorship covers prize money (approx. €270,000 under the main competition + €70,000+ in special prizes), operational support, and promotional activities across SuperValu's retail network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Tidy Town (SuperValu TidyTowns) is Ireland's nationwide community environmental competition, established in 1958, encouraging towns, villages, and islands to enhance the appearance and sustainability of their local areas. The programme is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and is sponsored by SuperValu, offering a free annual competition, special thematic awards, grant funding, and an online submission portal.

Product overview

SuperValu TidyTowns is a nationwide community environmental competition and support programme. The core offering is the annual SuperValu TidyTowns Competition with an online entry portal (competition.tidytowns.ie) for submitting entries judged under eight criteria. Running parallel to the main competition are seventeen Special Awards covering specific environmental themes (sustainable development, pollinators, climate action, circular economy, dark skies, dementia inclusivity, and more). The programme provides supporting resources including a comprehensive handbook, newsletters, videos/webinars, and mapping guidance. Funding grants are available to eligible groups that have entered within the last three years. The initiative is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and has been sponsored by SuperValu since 1991.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SuperValu TidyTowns Competition (Main Competition) The annual nationwide community environmental competition that encourages towns and villages across Ireland to enhance the appearance and sustainability of their local areas. Entrants are judged under eight criteria with 600 marks available, including community involvement, streetscape, green spaces, biodiversity, sustainability, tidiness, residential areas, and approach roads. Open to all community groups free of charge.
• Online Entry Portal (competition.tidytowns.ie) Web-based submission portal for registering competition entries, uploading completed entry forms, maps, and supporting documents (up to 7 additional documents). Groups can track their submission status and receive a unique registration reference number upon successful submission.
• TidyTowns Grant Funding Programme Grant funding programme administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development. In 2025, €1.5 million was announced for 987 eligible TidyTowns groups to support their competition entries or fund projects with a sustainability/climate focused outcome.
• Tiny TidyTowns Schools Award Special award for primary schools to showcase food growing and biodiversity projects developed in the school. Regional finalists receive €1,000, with the overall winner receiving an additional €1,000. Sponsored by SuperValu.
• Young Persons in TidyTowns Award Special award recognising TidyTowns groups that actively involve young people aged 16-24 in their community activities. Sponsored by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht with a prize fund of €5,000.
• All-Ireland Pollinator Plan – Local Authority Pollinator Award Special award encouraging TidyTowns groups to implement pollinator-friendly actions. Prize fund of €10,000 sponsored by Heritage Offices and Biodiversity Offices of Local Authorities across Ireland in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre. €1,000 is awarded in each of four regions.
• Sustainable Development Goals Award Special award raising awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals at local level. Prize fund of €6,000 sponsored by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
• Climate Action Award Special award celebrating communities taking climate action and raising awareness. Prize fund of €6,000 across four categories including a special Youth Award. Sponsored by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
• EPA Circular Economy Award Special award recognising communities undertaking activities that support and promote circular economy values such as reuse, repair, and waste prevention. Prize fund of €3,500 sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Gum Litter Taskforce Award Special award rewarding communities delivering initiatives to eliminate chewing gum litter. Prize fund of €8,000 sponsored by the Gum Litter Taskforce, a joint industry/government initiative.
• Waters and Communities Award Special award encouraging community groups to engage with local water bodies. Prize fund of €7,000 sponsored jointly by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland, and the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO).
• Dark Sky Ireland Special Award Special award recognising practical community-led actions to reduce light pollution and protect dark skies. Prize fund of €3,000 sponsored by Dark Sky Ireland, a UN SDG Champion Organisation (2025-27).
• SuperValu Inclusive Communities Award Special award celebrating TidyTowns committees driving positive change by promoting and enabling inclusivity for all community members. Prize fund of €2,000 sponsored by SuperValu.
• Dementia Inclusive Community Award Special award recognising TidyTowns committees making positive changes to promote and facilitate inclusivity for people living with dementia. Sponsored by the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Dementia Service. Prize: €2,000 winner + €500 runner-up in both Large Town and Village categories.
• Tree Project Award Special award recognising the positive influence of trees on the overall ambience of a town or village, including both planting and ongoing maintenance. Prize fund of €1,000 sponsored by The Tree Council of Ireland.
• Greenways & Active Travel Award Special award recognising TidyTowns groups' efforts in integrating built infrastructure with ecological best practices for walking and cycling facilities. Prize fund of €5,000 sponsored by the Department of Transport.
• Leave No Trace Award Special award recognising communities for protecting and enhancing the natural environment and promoting responsible outdoor recreation. Prize includes €1,000 plus a Leave No Trace trainer for one day, access to online resources, and social media promotion. Sponsored by Leave No Trace Ireland.
• The Island Award Special award presented to the two highest-scoring island entrants (not connected to mainland by bridge, cut off by tide, permanently inhabited, not in private ownership). Prize fund of €1,500 sponsored by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
• Town Centre First Award Special award crediting exemplary efforts by towns in driving forward town centre regeneration under the Town Centre First policy launched in February 2021. Sponsored by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
• Gaeltacht Award Special award presented to the two highest-scoring entrants from a Gaeltacht area. Entries must be completed in Irish. Prize fund of €2,500 sponsored by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 220 prizes awarded annually across all categories
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Department of Climate, Energy and the EnvironmentcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the Sustainable Development Goals Award (prize fund €6,000) and the Climate Action Award (prize fund €6,000). These awards raise awareness of SDG goals and climate action at the community level.
• Department of TransportminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the Greenways & Active Travel Award (prize fund €5,000), recognising TidyTowns groups' efforts in integrating built infrastructure with ecological best practices for walking and cycling facilities.
• Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland, and Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Joint sponsors of the Waters and Communities Special Award (prize fund €7,000). Inland Fisheries Ireland manages inland fisheries; Waterways Ireland manages inland navigable waterways; LAWPRO works with communities on local waterbodies.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the EPA Circular Economy Award (prize fund €3,500). Recognises communities that have undertaken activities supporting circular economy values such as reuse, repair, and waste prevention.
• Health Service Executive (HSE) – National Dementia ServiceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the Dementia Inclusive Community Award (prize: €2,000 winner + €500 runner-up per category). Part of the HSE's Dementia: Understand Together campaign, recognising communities promoting inclusivity for people living with dementia.
• The Tree Council of IrelandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the Tree Project Award (prize fund €1,000). Values the positive influence of trees on towns and villages, recognising both planting and ongoing maintenance of trees.
• Dark Sky IrelandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the Dark Sky Ireland Special Award (prize fund €3,000). Recognises community-led actions to reduce light pollution and protect dark skies. Dark Sky Ireland is a UN SDG Champion Organisation (2025-27).
• Leave No Trace IrelandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the Leave No Trace Award (prize: €1,000 plus a Leave No Trace trainer for one day, access to online resources, and social media promotion). Now in its seventh year, recognises communities protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
• Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the Gum Litter Taskforce Award (prize fund €8,000). The GLT is a joint industry/government initiative working to eliminate chewing gum litter. Thanks to community efforts, gum litter now accounts for only 7.3% of all litter nationally.
• Heritage Offices & Biodiversity Offices of Local Authorities across Ireland, in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan – Local Authority Pollinator Award (prize fund €10,000). Supports the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan to reverse the decline of wild Irish bees. €1,000 awarded in each of four regions at village and large town categories.
• National Biodiversity Data CentreminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partner with Heritage Offices & Biodiversity Offices of Local Authorities in sponsoring the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan – Local Authority Pollinator Award. Supports data collection and awareness for pollinator conservation.
• PobalcoreOthers · 1 January 2017Pobal administers the TidyTowns grant funding on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. In 2025, €1.5 million was distributed to 987 eligible TidyTowns groups through this arrangement.
• SuperValucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991SuperValu has been the main national sponsor of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition since 1991 (now in its 36th year), making it one of the longest-running sponsorships in Ireland. SuperValu provides prize funding, promotional support across its retail network, and alignment with sustainability initiatives. The Managing Director of SuperValu (currently Luke Hanlon) participates in annual awards ceremonies alongside the Minister.
• Department of Rural and Community Development and the GaeltachtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1958The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht administers the competition. The TidyTowns Unit within the Department manages all aspects including entry processing, adjudication coordination, award ceremonies, and grant administration. The current Minister is Dara Calleary, T.D. The Department provides grant funding to groups (over €12 million since 2017).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Keep Britain Tidy: England's longest-running community environmental campaign and awards programme (est. 1954), running the Green Flag Award for parks and the Love Where You Live community competitions. It is the closest functional analogue to SuperValu TidyTowns: a national volunteer-driven environmental improvement competition with corporate sponsorship and government alignment.
• Clean Up Australia: Australia's flagship community clean-up and environmental engagement movement (est. 1989), running the annual Clean Up Australia Day across thousands of sites. Directly comparable to TidyTowns as a nationally branded volunteer environmental competition with corporate sponsorship and free-to-enter participation.
• Beautiful Scotland: Scottish environmental improvement campaign run by Keep Scotland Beautiful, with annual judged categories for towns, villages and neighbourhoods. Directly comparable to TidyTowns' structure and adjudication approach, just scoped to Scotland.
• Villages Fleuris (France): France's national competition for floral and environmental quality of towns and villages, run under the Conseil National des Villes et Villages Fleuris. Operates a similar tiered, judged village/town category structure with national recognition.
• Communities in Bloom: Canadian non-profit running a national adjudicated competition for community beautification, green spaces and environmental sustainability (est. 1995). Highly comparable as a judged, multi-category community competition with volunteer committees and sponsor-funded prize structure.
• Entente Florale Europe: Pan-European horticultural and village-beautification competition involving national competitions across multiple European countries. Closely aligned to TidyTowns in adjudicated community environmental judging, multi-tier population categories and cross-border recognition.

Others

• Pobal: Irish not-for-profit that administers government grant programmes on behalf of departments — including the TidyTowns grant fund. Operationally adjacent as the funding-distribution and compliance partner rather than a competing programme.
• An Taisce: Ireland's oldest environmental charity and operator of the National Spring Clean campaign (the historical predecessor to TidyTowns). Adjacent in mission rather than direct competitor; runs complementary programmes such as Blue Flag beaches and Green Schools.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TidyTownsIre
• Facebookfacebook.com/OfficialSuperValuTidyTowns
• Instagraminstagram.com/supervalutidytownscompetition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tidy-town

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tidy Town