Kilkenny communities encouraged to take part in new Climate Action Programme

Kilkenny County Council has welcomed the announcement of a new Community Climate Action Programme by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan.

The Community Climate Action Programme aims to support and empower communities in Kilkenny and around the country to take climate action and to build low carbon, sustainable communities to contribute to national climate and energy targets.

Successful local applicants under this scheme will deliver a variety of projects that have a direct climate action impact, and projects will have to address, at least one, of the following five themes: Community Energy, Travel, Food and Waste, Shopping and Recycling and Local Climate and Environmental Action.

The scheme is open to all Kilkenny communities and examples of projects range from retrofitting community buildings, installing bicycle parking, setting up a repair hub, starting a garden allotment in your area or initiatives to promote biodiversity and pollinators.

Community groups can apply for up to €100,000 grant funding, and there is 100% funding for successful projects.

There are two different Strands to this programme communities can apply to:

Strand 1 - Kilkenny County Council has been allocated a total of €511,000 from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to work with communities, large and small, rural and urban, within County Kilkenny to build low carbon and sustainable communities.

Strand 1a - This is an all island fund and a total of €3 million is available to support cross-border and all Ireland community climate action initiatives. For Strand 1a there has to be a clear North/South Basis and funding is split 50/50 between the North/South Partnership.

Speaking about the Programme, Lar Power, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, commented: "This fund places the community at the centre of local climate action and presents a positive opportunity for communities, supported by Kilkenny County Council to play an active role in helping Ireland to become a biodiversity rich, sustainable and climate neutral economy."

Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Doyle, said: "It is clear that Kilkenny communities are enthusiastic and willing to take climate action, with huge strides in this area to date, but this fund will now enable them to do more, whilst providing hope, opportunity and inspiration."

Full details are available on the Kilkenny County Council website.