Community Climate Action Programme

Overview of the Community Climate Action Programme

• Central government has allocated €60 Million nationally over 3 years to support the Climate Action Fund
• One strand of the Climate Action Fund is the Climate Action Programme – Strand 1 – and €24 million has been allocated under this funding to build low carbon communities
• Under Strand 1 - €378,000 is ringfenced for Co. Carlow over an 18 month period
• The first round of this funding was awarded in 2024
• The second round of funding is expected to open for applications in September/October 2025 

What is the Community Climate Action Programme?

• The Community Climate Action Programme, aims to support and empower local community groups build low carbon communities in a planned way, and contribute to national climate and energy targets.
• Good practice examples of projects realised under the first round of this funding across the counties of;  Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford & Waterford can be seen here .

What Groups are Eligible?

Eligible groups are those which are;  

• Not for profit organisations located within Co. Carlow
• Groups registered with the Public Participation Network (PPN)
• Or groups which are members of a collective such as national sporting organisation, Tidy Towns or other
• Groups which have an articles of association or memorandum document
• Groups which hold an AGM with approved minutes available

Community Climate Action Programme 5 Thematic Areas:

The Community Climate Action Programme invites community groups to submit an application under one of the five thematic areas of the programme. Groups that can address more than one theme in their application will rank higher in the evaluation process to determine which projects receive funding.

The five themes are:

• Community & Energy
• Food & Waste
• Travel
• Shopping & Recycling
• Local Climate and Environmental Action

Community and Energy

The aim is to reduce the climate impact of community buildings by using less energy/renewable energy and avoiding heat loss. 
Potentially, relevant projects could include:

• LED community lighting
• Small renewable energy projects – Solar / Hydro / Wind
• Rainwater harvesting
• Electric pitch mower
• Retrofitting community buildings – it is advisable to obtain an Energy Audit to identify order of priority for works-
         windows & doors
         insulation (wall/attic)
         LED lighting
         Heat pumps
         PV panels    

Food and Waste

The aim is to reduce food waste. 
Potentially, relevant projects could include:

• Community composting facilities
• Community gardens - local food production
• Community supported farming - local business food pledges
• Community fridges -  reduce GHG and redistribute food

Travel 

The aim is the reduction in travel related emissions.
Potentially, relevant projects could include:

• Cycle parking/racks
• Improving cycle way access
• Community electric vehicles/car services
• Safe and active routes to school
• eCargo bikes
• Bike repair hubs

Shopping and Recycling

The aim is to increase the variety and number of recycling facilities as well as increasing the number of reduce/reuse/recycle initiatives.
Potentially relevant projects could include:

• Swap shops
• Water filling stations
• Elimination of single use plastics by local groups
• Musical instrument reuse
• Sports clothes/equipment reuse
• Paint recycling
• Toy libraries
• Other ideas….. 

Local Climate and Environmental Action

The aim is to take a holistic approach to managing the local environment and taking climate action. 
Potentially relevant projects could include:

• Climate resilience measures to reduce harmful effects of extreme climate events
• Planted mounds to slow flood water
• Attenuation ponds
• Rainwater gardens
• Mini forests
• Orchards
• Community gardens 

What Types of Projects /initiatives are eligible?

• Projects which reduce or support reduction of greenhouse gases
• Increase production of renewable energy
• Improve energy efficiency
• Improve climate resilience
• Are nature based projects, enhance biodiversity and climate resilience
• Assist with transition to low carbon economy
• And provide innovative solutions to climate change

How much funding is available for projects?

• Projects that cost less than €20,000
• Projects that cost between €20,000 and €50,000
• Projects that cost between €50,000 and €100,000 

Projects can receive 100% funding up to the maximum of €100,000

Considerations for application form:

Preparation:

• Contact the Community Climate Action Officer, Áine Byrne, on 087 4604854,
• Discuss your project idea and why it is needed,
• Clarify the project objectives,
• Check if your project requires planning permission?
• Does your group need to secure a lease document? (Min 5 years required) 

Costs

• Understand what is eligible,
• Prepare a realistic, accurate budget,
• Shop around and get 3 quotes for the work to be undertaken,
• Consider if the group will require bridging finance?
• Is the project good value for money?
• Have you considered sustainability in procurement?
• Has your group good governance structures in place to manage funding, and/or can you demonstrate a previous track record of managing funds?

Completing the application form

The application form for round 2 in 2025 is not yet available. However interested groups should consider the questions below which will assist them filling in the form.

• Refresh on the programme’s objectives, selection criteria
• Consider any supporting documentation you might require
• Be clear about the relevance of your project
• Is your project achievable?
• Be clear on the climate and environmental benefits of your project
• Consider how your group will measure success for the project
• How will your project contribute to Ireland’s climate and energy targets?
• Demonstrate in the application that you have the project management  skills to deliver, achieve and measure outputs.
• Is your project something that could be replicated elsewhere as a good example of a community developing climate resilience at the local level?

A recording of a webinar with information about the programme which took place on 7th December 2023 is available to view here.

The recording may assist you in thinking about the application process. 

Groups interested in the fund can contact Áine to register their interest, and when further information is available groups will be notified. 

Email byrnea@carlowcoco.ie to have your name added to a mailing list for information about the Community Climate Action programme. 

Projects funded under round 1 of the programme were: