The Community Climate Action Fund
Galway County Council’s draft Climate Acton Plan has been launched and we want your views.
The Climate Action Team will be coming to the following locations to discuss the plan and associated Climate Action Fund for Communities:
Tuam Library, Saturday November 18th, 14:00 – 15:30
Loughrea Library, Wednesday November 22nd 17:30 – 19:00
Claregalway Hotel, Tuesday November 28th, 18:00 – 19:30
Glinsk Community Centre, Saturday December 9th, 11:00 – 13:00
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The Community Climate Action Fund is a new fund to support small and large, rural and urban communities to take climate action at a local level. In conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Galway County Council will support communities to promote and assist in community climate action.
The Community Climate Action Fund will help members of our community to act in their local areas. Its goal is to shape and build low-carbon, sustainable communities that will contribute to the achieving Ireland’s national climate action and energy targets.
The Community Climate Action Fund will help make Galway more resilient to extreme weather caused by climate change and make the county a better place to live.
There are two funding strands:
Strand-1 – Action: Building Low Carbon Communities: Galway County Council have been given an allocation of €762,000 for projects under Strand 1. Under this scheme, communities will partner with Galway Council to carry out projects that have a direct climate action impact.
Strand 1a – Shared Island Community Climate Action: This strand enables communities and local authorities to carry out a cross-border project in partnership with a community in Northern Ireland. It will be very competitive (€3 million for whole country) and open for all communities to apply.
How will the Programme work?
Importantly, projects must have a direct climate impact including at least one, preferably more, of the following:
- Reduce Greenhouse gas emissions
- Increase climate resilience of community (help adapt to the consequences of climate change)
- Assist communities transition to low carbon and sustainable economy
Projects should address at least one, but preferably more than one of the following themes:
- Community Buildings and Energy
- Sustainable Travel
- Food and food waste
- Shopping and recycling
- Local climate action and environmental action
There are two strands of funding available:
- Strand 1focuses on direct climate action in County Galway
- Strand 1Afocuses on cross-border partnerships between community organisations in the county of Galway and organisations in Northern Ireland.
Funding will be allocated to community organisations based on an appraisal of the application forms submitted to Galway County Council and approval of the Minister.
Who can apply?
Eligible community organisations must:
- Be not-for-profit
- Be located within the boundariesof Galway County.
- Submit a completed application form.
- Be registered with the Galway County PPN ORbe connected with other collectives such as The Wheel, Tidy Towns, OR be a community group with Articles of Association, which hold an AGM with appropriately approved minutes.
Who is NOT eligible for funding?
- Private individuals
- Commercial undertakings
- Schools
- National level community or environmental organisations
Local branches of national organisations may be eligible, once there is a clear financial separation or local branch from national organisation level.
What funding is available?
The Community Climate Action Programme grants can fund up to 100% of all eligible costs for a successful project.
You can apply for different sized grants:
- Smallscale projects, less than €20,000
- Mediumscale projects, €21,000 to €50,000
- Largescale projects, €51,000 to €100,000
How does my community group apply?
For more information, please contact;
DeniseFeeney, Galway Community Climate Action Officer, Galway County Council at [email protected].
Online Applications will be open on December 6th 2023
Deadline for applications to be submitted is February 29th 2024
