We are delighted to announce that the National College of Art & Design (NCAD) was awarded first place at the ENFUSE Finals 2026 on Wednesday 27 May! The team, which included MA Circular by Design students Alma O Donoghue, Eva Kerley, and Georgia Connolly, collaborated with the social enterprise Fibreshed Ireland. Their project involved conducting research, generating insights, and developing prototypes, which resulted in a strategic plan to support the enterprise’s growth and expansion into new markets.
This is the second year in a row that CFA @ NCAD students have won the award!
ENFUSE is an initiative driven by Dublin City Council. It works in collaboration with universities, colleges, local enterprises and students enrolled in master’s programmes. Recognising the challenges faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a competitive market, ENFUSE aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry. This programme leverages the expertise of students while providing valuable support to local businesses.
Overall, 7 student teams competed at this year’s ENFUSE Finals by pitching to expert industry judges on the plans they produced. The 7 teams were shortlisted from a total of 101 teams that participated in ENFUSE 2026. The partnered enterprises of the top three teams won specialist mentoring and training supports from the Local Enterprise Office and supports from the Dublin Regional Skills Forum while the students themselves received prizes from Dublin Place Brand.
Speaking on the night, Natasha Kinsella, from the Dublin Regional Skills Forum who was also fulfilling one of the judging roles, said; “Congratulations to every team who progressed to the finals — it is a fantastic achievement. What stood out throughout the ENFUSE programme was the strength of collaboration between students, higher education providers and industry partners. Initiatives like this are so important in helping students build confidence, creativity and real-world employability skills, while businesses benefit from fresh thinking, innovation and engagement with future talent pipelines. The quality of ideas and professionalism showcased on the night demonstrated the significant value these partnerships bring to both learners and enterprise across Dublin.”
Also speaking on the night, Ross Curley, of the Dublin City Council Economic Development Office who was fulfilling MC duties, ‘‘The ENFUSE programme shows there are enormous benefits to engaging openly in the spirit collaboration, seeking perspectives, input and advice from others. We hope your participation in the programme and the students’ contributions will support your ability to navigate business challenges’’.
The project was developed in response to concerns highlighted by the OECD regarding Irish SMEs. These businesses often struggle with innovation, limited resources and difficulty adapting to changing market conditions. Additionally, recent graduates face an uncertain job market, making practical experience even more crucial. Thank you to the Dublin Regional Skills Forum for their support with this award.
Huge congratulations to staff and students!
Learn more about the MA in Circular by Design at CFA@ NCAD here
