Clare County Council and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications are delighted to announce that 26 groups will be funded as part of a new community climate action fund.
This fund is for organisations and community groups with projects and initiatives which address the challenge of climate change. The overall objective of the Community Climate Action Programme is to support and empower communities, in partnership with Clare County Council, to shape and build low carbon and sustainable communities in a coherent way to contribute to national climate and energy targets.
Under Strand 1 of the programme (Building Low Carbon Communities), a total of €572,000 has been allocated to community groups around the county. The groups funded under this strand are: Bodyke Tidy Towns; Bridge United AFC; Carrigaholt Development Association; Clarecastle Community Development; Clooney Spancilhill CDG; College Green Residents Association; Corofin Tidy Towns; Cratloe Community Council; Doonbeg Tidy Towns; Ennis Mens Shed; Ennis Tidy Towns; Inagh Development Association; Inch Tidy Village; Lisdoonvarna Fáilte; Mike McTigue Community Centre; Obair; Ruan Tidy Towns; Scariff Rugby Club; Shannon Tidy Towns; Smith O’Briens GAA and Camogie Club; St. Joseph’s GAA Miltown Malbay; Waterworld Kilkee; and West Coast Surf Club.
Three Clare projects received funding from Strand 1a of the fund (Shared Island Community Climate Action). These are Crusheen GAA, Feakle GAA and Clare GAA. These projects received €236,636 in funding. The Strand 1a projects supports cross-border and all-island community climate action partnerships between community organisations in County Clare and Northern Ireland.
The projects will take action across the following five themes: Community energy; travel; food and waste; shopping; and recycling and local climate and environmental action.
At the announcement of the funded projects for the Community Climate Action Programme, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, said, “It is clear that communities in County Clare have a huge interest in taking climate action. The groups funded as part of the Community Climate Action Programme will provide leadership to their communities and be a focal point of local climate and environmental action.”
Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, Clare County Council, said, “The groups funded under the Community Climate Action Programme will inspire even greater interest in Climate Action in their communities. We are delighted to support these groups as they take action and look forward to seeing the impact of these community-led projects.”
Alan Farrell, Director of Services, Physical Development Directorate, Clare County Council, said, “These projects present an opportunity for local community groups and organisations, supported by Clare County Council, to scale up community climate action throughout County Clare. This will enable climate action at a local level and provide a template for other groups and individuals to help create a more sustainable future for all of us.”