Community Climate Action Programme
Communities can make a difference
Complete your Community Climate Action Fund 2025 - Expression of Interest online on Citizen Hub
Dublin City Council is delighted to welcome the announcement by the Minister for Environment Climate and Communications of a new Community Climate Fund which is being made available to organisations and community groups interested in developing projects and initiatives which relate to the challenge of addressing climate change. The City Council is developing an application process which will be made available through our website in the coming weeks.
Expression of Interest applications now open, click here to apply.
This fund has three Primary Objectives
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Build Climate Resilience
- Help communities transition to a lower carbon economy
Communities are encouraged to take actions under the following themes:
Community Energy - helping to improve the energy efficiency of community buildings and small scale renewable energy projects.
Travel - Solutions which encourage less car journeys in favour of more sustainable modes of transport.
Food and Waste - Supports community food growing initiatives and the reduction of waste (food or other).
Shopping and Recycling - Initiatives which support the circular economy, such as upcycling, library of things and fix-it initiatives.
Local Climate and Environmental Action - Initiatives which supports nature whilst building climate resilience, such as tree planting and sustainable urban drainage initiatives.
Below are some project ideas you might consider undertaking, this isn't an exhaustive list and we encourage communities to be creative in their approach to climate action.
- Community Energy Projects
- Retrofitting community buildings
- Energy efficiency upgrades
- LED community lighting
- Community EV Charging Point
- Low carbon technology/equipment
- Community Cargo Bikes
- Cycle parking
- Community Gardens
- Community fridge
- Repair Hubs
- Swap shops
- Water filling stations
- Raingarden
- Dispersed Orchards
- Roof gardens
- Pollinator projects
Electric vehicle (EV) charging points allow community groups to provide a service to their local area at large. This involves implementing a charging station for EV which can be used by members of your community group or by people outside your organisation This infrastructure provides several advantages. Firstly it provides members of the local community an additional option for charging their vehicles, potentially encouraging people to choose that mode of transport with the facility available to them. This can potentially lead to some health benefits due to the decrease in emission improving air quality. As EVs are make less noise than other cars, the installation of this could potentially lead to a decrease in noise pollution in the local area. EV’s produce less CO2 emissions than combustible engine cars too (60g/km to a combustibles 130g/km)
If your group choses to take on this project, there are some factors which must be considered. The biggest one is cost, both for the installation of the charge point and for the supply of electricity used to charge, though the cost will vary depending on the charger used. The type of charger selected can impact the performance (faster chargers reduce the time it takes to fully recharge the vehicle). The position of the charge point should be considered, as the station should be easy to tell apart from other parking options near the site. Finally, the overall carbon cost of this project type should be considered, due to the energy produced and the materials used in EV’s being carbon intensive.
Links
Cargo bikes are bicycles which are designed to carry heavy loads. There are several different designs of cargo bikes, which include tricycle designs. In general they have, either at the front or back of the bike, an additional feature which allows for the transportation of cargo. The main benefit of cargo bikes are their ability to transport loads without producing CO2 (each bike saving up to 4 tonnes of CO2 a year )or creating noise and air pollution, making them more environmentally friendly than using motor vehicles. In urban areas these cargo bikes can be more efficient than delivery vans, with bikes completing ten deliveries an hour compared to a vans 6.
The people who utilise these bikes can benefits from the activity of riding the bike from point to point. Bikes do not require fuel, saving additional costs. Compared to other bikes, the biggest disadvantage of cargo bikes is storage, as some models cannot use conventional bike parking and will need a different storage space. Cargo bikes have a lower max weight compared to motor vehicles and, as such, carry less load. The bike requires maintenance such as tyre pressure and occasional servicing in order to ensure it stays in good condition. Some cargo bikes (e.g. ones with extend fronts) can be more cumbersome to ride compared to other bikes.
Links
- Cargo Bikes for Business - Greenaer - eBike Specialists
- Cargo bicycle: everything you need to know about it and more! (add-bike.com)
- What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Aitour Cargo Bikes? (aitourebikes.com)
- rothar.ie/collections/cargo-bikes
- What is a Cargo Bike? A Comprehensive Guide to Cargo Bicycles - motrike
- Environmentally friendly delivery (wheelswedeliver.com)
What grants are available
There are three categories of grant available ranging from €10,000 up to €100,000 (see below). The grant process is competitive with projects demonstrating they can deliver positive results in relation to the primary objectives and which cover multiple themes more likely to be successful. To express an interest in applying for these funds please email [email protected]
| Project Scale | Project Value |
|---|---|
| Small Scale Projects | Up to €20,000 |
| Medium Scale Projects | €21,000 to €50,000 |
| Large Scale Projects | €51,000 to €100,000 |
Successful applicants will receive 100% funding with (up to 25% available up front, terms and conditions apply).
Who can apply
Groups/organisations who are involved in Climate Action initiatives on a not for profit basis at community level. This can include Sports Clubs, Community Groups, Community Enterprise Centres, Climate Action Groups, Residents Associations and Youth Clubs.
Who can’t apply
Private individuals, commercial undertakings (including sole traders), national community and environmental organisations.
The important qualifying criteria are:-
- Must be delivered in a community/local area ….and have local impact in terms of things environment, energy independence, environmentally friendly transport shifts, protection of wild life.
- Must be not for profit.
- Must contribute to developing low carbon and environmentally sustainable communities.
Register your interest.
If you are interested in applying for these funds please email [email protected] detailing the project you would like to be considered for. Dean Eaton the Community Climate Action Officer will then make himself available to assist you with developing and strengthening your project proposals.
To make an Expression of Interest applications, please click here and select Community Climate Action Fund Expression of Interest.
Important to note
If your group has received more than 200K of State aid within the last three years it may limit your eligibility under a state aid EU rule known as De Minimis. When you make an application you will be advised as to whether you are affected by this State Aid rule that exists to avoid unfair competition in the marketplace.