Donegal County Council announces Community Climate Action Funding of over €1million
Donegal County Council today announced funding of €1,069,000 under the Community Climate Action Fund. The Community Climate Action Fund is a government-funded scheme for communities and not-for-profit organisations to complete local projects and initiatives that help address climate change.
The funding allocated in County Donegal will support small (up to €20,000), medium (€20,000-€50,000), and large-scale (€50,000-€100,000) community climate action projects in five key theme areas, - community energy, sustainable travel, food and waste, shopping and recycling, and local climate and environmental action.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan said: “I am delighted to support these vital local projects under the Community Climate Action Programme, a landmark fund which is making €24 million available to climate action projects across Ireland, alongside a €3 million contribution from the government’s Shared Island Fund.”
“Communities and Local Authorities know best the climate actions that work for their area and can deliver the most effective climate solutions on the ground. I look forward to seeing the transformative effect these projects will have not only in tackling climate change, but in making our cities, towns and villages better places to live and work,” added the Minister.
On this occasion, the Cathaoirleach was represented by Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh, Leas-Chathaoirleach. According to Councillor Niamh Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council “The projects funded under this scheme will help local groups take positive climate actions and be climate leaders within their communities. These projects will go towards inspiring others to take similar actions. The level of interest shown in the Fund is testament to the community-led sustainability efforts that are ongoing throughout County Donegal.”
John G. McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council commented, “the projects funded through this programme are directly aligned with Donegal County Council’s Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. The Plan sets out how Donegal County Council will take climate action across the organisation, but also how we are taking a broader leadership role in the county by supporting local communities, businesses and other stakeholders to take climate action. This programme enables local, place-based climate action based on a strong foundation of local authority support. I am greatly encouraged by the strong uptake here in Donegal and look forward to the positive climate action benefits it will bring to our communities”.
Michael McGarvey, Director of Services at Donegal County Council stated, that the vision for Donegal County Council’s Climate Action Plan is that Donegal will be climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and carbon neutral by the end of 2050. Communities across the County are leading by example when it comes to implementing projects that can support this vision and the fund has enabled positive climate actions to take place over the next 18 months.
“The Community Climate Action Fund supports community groups in Donegal to put in place tangible climate action projects in their own communities”, explained Fiona Kelly, Community Climate Action Officer for Donegal County Council. “These projects will improve the energy efficiency of buildings, reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and enhance biodiversity. The breadth and quality of the projects selected for funding is indicative of the real and positive difference communities across County Donegal are making to tackle climate change.”
County Donegal allocations under the Community Climate Action Fund:
Strand 1: Building Low Carbon Communities
€ 79,000: Lárionad Achmhainí Nádúrtha (LAN Ctr) – Solar PV, Energy Efficient Upgrades, EV Charger, Biodiversity Project
€ 69,000: Áisleann Rann na Feirste - Solar PV, Energy Efficient Upgrades, Bike Rack, Materials for Community Garden, Retrofitting Community Buildings, LED Lighting
€ 100,000: Comharchumann Forbartha Dhún Lúiche - Solar PV, Retrofitting Community Building, LED Lighting upgrade, EV Charger, Bike Rack, Mini Forest, Pollinator Project
€ 89,000: Carndonagh GAA Club - Solar PV, Integrated Constructed Wetland, LED Lights, Bike Rack, EV Charger, Water Refill Station
€ 42,300: Laghey Hall, Laghey - Retrofitting Community Buildings, Energy Efficient Upgrades, Bike Rack
€ 36,000: Spraoi agus Sport, Carndonagh - Solar PV, Equipment & Materials for Repair Hub
€ 35,000: Letterkenny RFC -Solar PV, EV Charging Point.
€ 31,800: Coiste Forbartha Chnoc Fola -Solar PV, EV Charging Point.
€ 51,000: Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair Teo - Solar PV, LED Lighting Upgrade, Water Filling Station
€ 39,000: Narin, Portnoo, Rosbeg Community Co-Op Society Ltd - Solar PV, EV Charging Point
€ 3,000: Moville Tidy Towns - Bike Repair Station.
€ 12,800: Ramelton Community Centre - Solar PV
€ 1,900: Letterkenny Tidy Towns - Rainwater Harvesting System
€ 16,500: Gleann Fhinne Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta - Solar PV and related equipment
€ 16,600: Wild Inishowen -Wetland Trail, Dispersed Orchards, Native Tree Planting.
€ 6,700: Comhlacht Forbartha An Tearmainn - LED Lighting upgrade
€ 14,800: Ramelton Grow Together - Polytunnel, Garden Shed, Glass House & Tools for Community Garden
€ 16,200: White Oaks Acorn Project - Polytunnel & Biodiversity Project
€ 20,000: CLG Aodh Ruadh - Solar PV, EV Charging Point
€ 14,400: Milford & District Resource CLG - Solar PV, Bike Rack, Water Filling Station
Strand 1a : Shared Island Community Climate Action
€ 100,000: Castlefinn Partnership Initiative Ltd & Derry City & Strabane District Council (Acorn Farm Project)- Solar Panels and related equipment
€ 76,124: Cully Hall Committee & Friends of Castlecatt War Memorial, Co. AntrimHall Association - Solar Panels and related equipment, Bike rack, Electric Bike, EV Charging point, Retrofitting community buildings, LED community lighting, Biodiversity project
€ 100,000: Lárionad Acmhainní Nádúrtha CTR & Carntogher Community Association, Co. Derry/ Coiste Forbartha Charn Tóhair -Energy efficient upgrades, Solar Panels and related equipment, Retrofitting community buildings, Heat Pump, Growing Benches.
€ 48,174: Moville and District Family Resource Centre & Greater Shantallow Area Partnership, Derry -Retrofitting community buildings, Solar Panels and related equipment, Energy efficient upgrades, LED Lighting.
€ 46,535: CLG Beart, Burt GAA & Eire Og GAC, Craigavon, Co. Armagh - Solar Panels and related equipment.