Wicklow County Council has launched a new Community Climate Action Programme.
A fund of €646,000 is being made available to organisations and community groups in County Wicklow interested in developing projects and initiatives related to the challenge of addressing climate change.
This fund has three Primary Objectives:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Build Climate Resilience
- Help communities transition to a lower carbon economy
Projects are eligible for 100 per cent funding, up to a maximum of €100,000. Applications can be made by email to ccap@wicklowcoco.ie under any or all of the following five themes: Community & Energy, Climate & Environment, Shopping & Recycling, Food and Waste and Travel.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, welcomed the programme, stating: “Community action is at the heart of how we make Wicklow a more sustainable and liveable county. This funding supports community groups to provide leadership within their communities in addressing climate-related challenges at a local level.”
Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive, of Wicklow County Council, acknowledged the foresight of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in providing this funding saying: “The Community Climate Action programme will see an investment of €646,000 for County Wicklow and presents a genuine opportunity for communities to avail of financial support while they implement climate action in their local area and build low carbon communities in a considered and structured way.”
Breege Kilkenny, Director of Services, Wicklow County Council, welcomed the funding programme, noting that: “Wicklow County Council has recently finished public consultation with the community on its draft Climate Action Plan. The plan highlights how communities can benefit from the low-carbon transition. This means warmer, more efficient homes; better travel options, more liveable towns and cities, more sustainable consumer choices and a better environment for future generations.”
Cllr Lourda Scott, Cathaoirleach of the Climate and Biodiversity Action Strategic Policy Committee, added: “This substantial new fund will help our community partners put their plans into practice and help us achieve our climate change goals.”