Minister Eamon Ryan launched a climate action funding pot of €27 million while visiting County Cavan yesterday.
The funding announcement comprises both the national Climate Action Fund allocation of €24 million and an allocation of €3 million, which is being provided by the Government's Shared Island Fund to support cross-border and all-island community climate action initiatives. The landmark climate funding programme, which will be administered by local authorities, can provide amounts of up to €100,000 to larger local projects over an 18-month period.
Projects selected for funding under the programmes will have to contribute to national climate and energy targets across the following five themes: community energy, travel, food and waste, shopping and recycling; and local climate and environmental action. Speaking at the launch, Minister Ryan said he had been visiting local authorities and local climate action groups across the country for the past 18 months and in these visits, like in Cavan, it is clear that local communities are the real drivers of creative and inclusive climate action across Ireland.
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications added by allocating funding through local authorities, we can ensure that the climate solutions developed in different regions and counties are designed by, and targeted to, the specific needs of the people and communities in that area, working with the guidance of their dedicated climate co-ordinators.
Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle, said: "The new Climate Action Fund will see an investment of €439,000 for communities throughout County Cavan to implement local climate action projects. It's a substantial fund that is greatly welcomed and will provide the financial support to not-for-profit groups and organisations to undertake necessary climate actions measures to transition to low-carbon communities. The additional allocation of €3 million nationally for Shared Island Climate Action will further support engagement by Cavan communities with communities in Northern Ireland to collectively contribute to climate and energy targets across the island".
