Funds for climate change action
€840,000 is being made available to community organisations across Cork city to support them to take collective action on climate change.
Cork City Council made the announcement recently adding that grants are available to non-profit community-based organisations who can contribute to climate action.
Small grants of up to €20,000 are being made available, medium grants between €20,000 and €50,000, or larger grants between €50,000 and 100,000.
The Community Climate Action Fund, funded by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), is inviting groups to design projects around one, or ideally more than one of the following themes:
• Home and energy
• Travel
• Food and waste
• Shopping and recycling
• Local environmental management and biodiversity
Cork City Council said less than a year ago, Cork was selected, along with Dublin, as one of 100 European cities who will “lead the way on climate action and smart cities across Europe”.
Working with partners in the public and private sector and with local residents, Cork City Council said it will “drive the transition to becoming a climate neutral and smart city by 2030 as part of the EU Cities Mission”.
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Deirdre Forde said: “Climate change poses significant risks to Cork city. Community organisations of all kinds are amongst Cork City Council’s most important partners in delivering a just, fair transition to a low carbon future.
“This new fund will help our community partners put solutions into practice and help us achieve our climate action goals.”
Cork City Council Chief Executive, Ann Doherty, said: “The community climate action fund is another step in the right direction. The council has acknowledged how the path to climate neutrality will require extensive collaboration and engagement with our local, national, and international partners.
“I am delighted Cork City Council, with financial support from DECC, can back our community organisations to address the climate crisis at local level, making our city a better place to live at the same time,” she added.
The application window closes on Friday 16 June at 5pm. Interested groups can attend the following information sessions on the Community Climate Action Fund.
Interested groups can also contact the council’s Climate Action Unit at climateactionfund@corkcity.ie before they make an application so they can get further details and discuss their project ideas.