Main pic: Announcing the Community Climate Action Fund in Co. Donegal; (L-R) John G. McLaughlin, CEO Donegal County Council, Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh, Leas-Chathaoirleach, Fiona Kelly, Community Climate Action Officer, and Michael McGarvey, Director of Water & Environment.
Donegal County Council today announced funding of €1,069,000 to various organisations under the Community Climate Action Fund.
The government-funded scheme is designed 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.
According to Councillor Niamh Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, the projects funded under this scheme will help local groups take positive actions and be climate leaders within their communities.
“These projects will go towards inspiring others to take similar actions,” she said.
“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”.
“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 are as follows:
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.
