Community Climate Action Fund

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Communities can make a difference

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.

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, Youth Clubs and schools.  These are examples of qualifying organisations but this is not an exclusive list.

The important qualifying criteria are:-

  1. 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.
  2. Must be not for profit.
  3. Must contribute to developing low carbon and environmentally sustainable communities.

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.

What grants are available

You could receive a small grant of between €2000 and €20000, or apply for a larger project. There are two grant categories 1) Local Community Projects and 2) a joint project between a community in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland which will operate under the Shared island Initiative of Government.

So what kind of projects are we talking about?

Here are some examples;

  • Solar Panels and related equipment
  • Retrofitting community buildings
  • Energy efficient upgrades
  • LED community lighting
  • Community EV charging points
  • Low carbon technology/equipment
  • Bike racks or other infrastructure
  • Materials for repair hubs
  • Materials for community garden
  • composting facilities
  • Pollinator projects
  • Mini forest

The above are just a range or possible projects but if you think creatively you can come up with many more...  Think about how you can encourage and facilitate people to conserve and recycle? Think about how you might improve a building you may use or own by making it warmer and using solar or wind energy to reduce dependence of carbon fuels?  Think about how you might improve or protect natural habits which are essential for insects, birds, bees? Think about how you might change mind-sets by proving facilities and information on positive environmental action by individuals?

For more information see here