Community Updates

Community Climate Fund: Phase II

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€27 million in state funding is now available to circular economy projects across Ireland for equipment and capital spend, as part of phase II of the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP).

€27 million in state funding is now available to circular economy projects across Ireland for equipment and capital spend, as part of phase II of the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP).

€27 million in state funding is now available to circular economy projects across Ireland for equipment and capital spend, as part of phase II of the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP).

Administered by local councils throughout Ireland, groups can apply for grant funding of between €20,000-€100,000 for climate action, circular living and energy efficiency projects that enable communities to lower emissions. The closing date for applicants is December 22.

An initiative from the Department of Climate, Energy, and the Environment, the fund encourages communities to take actions under the following themes:

  • Shopping and Recycling - Initiatives which support the circular economy, such as upcycling, library of things and fix-it initiatives. 

  • Food and Waste - Supports community food growing initiatives and the reduction of waste (food or other). 

  • 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. 

  • Local Climate and Environmental Action - Initiatives which support nature whilst building climate resilience, such as tree planting and sustainable urban drainage initiatives.

Speaking on the fund, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD said: “Taking climate action is a global challenge, but our local communities across Ireland are at the heart of the effort. 

“Through the CCAP, people in towns and villages nationwide have already come together to make real change - from installing solar panels on community centres, to creating shared bike schemes, restoring local biodiversity, and reducing energy use in public buildings.”

The previous phase of funding saw projects around solar panel installations, bicycle infrastructure, wildlife habitat creation, rain gardens and more. 

This fund is administered by the Community Climate Officer in your local authorities. Groups and organisations can partner together if they wish, to apply for the grant to cover the various themes. Check out your local council to find out more on the initiative, with applications open until December 22.