Kilkenny TD: Doubling of Local Biodiversity Action Fund sees €3m available for projects

Kilkenny TD Malcolm Noonan has today announced a doubling of funding to the Local Biodiversity Action Fund, bringing it to €3 million for 2023.

The Local Biodiversity Action Fund offers funding to help local authorities in the implementation of actions set out in the National Biodiversity Action Plan, enabling them to identify and develop projects that address biodiversity loss in their localities.

Operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the scheme has proven hugely popular, with 109 projects funded in 2022, including in the areas of habitat restoration, surveys and data collection, biodiversity awareness, and tackling invasive species.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Noonan said:

"Our local authorities, in both urban and rural areas, have a critical role to play in addressing the biodiversity crisis. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund has enabled local authorities across the country to carry out important, impactful projects that help us achieve the actions and ambitions we've set out in Ireland's National Biodiversity Action Plan," he said.

"Whether it's working together with communities on biodiversity initiatives, collecting essential data, or helping to create new habitats or restore existing ones, supporting a locally-led response to the enormous challenge we face in halting and reversing nature loss is vitally important.

"Last year, a total fund of almost €50,000 was shared by a number of projects in Kilkenny, providing for barn owl and swift programmes, pollinator corridors, and invasive species management at Silaire Wood and Woodstock Gardens and Estate. In general, we are seeing more and more people get behind this challenge, and doubling the funding available to the Local Biodiversity Action Fund is an important signal from my Department that we recognise and support this work.”

Reacting to the announcement, Green Party Councillor for Kilkenny City, Maria Dollard, said:

"Every place and every community has a role to play in tackling the biodiversity crisis, one of the biggest challenges of our time. A significant funding stream like this highlights the opportunity we have to work together to achieve the goals in the National Biodiversity Action Plan.

"I've seen first-hand the value of biodiversity initiatives, in uniting the community around a common cause, educating people about the biodiversity crisis, and building people's pride in their own communities. The doubling of the Local Biodiversity Action Fund to €3 million will empower our local authority to support community-led projects and make their work on biodiversity even more impactful.”

The 2023 scheme is now open for applications.