New fund will support community climate action projects in Kilkenny

Kilkenny County Council is delighted to welcome again the announcement by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, a Phase 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme.

The overall objective of the Community Climate Action Programme is to support and empower communities to take climate action and to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way to contribute to national climate and energy targets.

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Phase 2 of this Programme is very similar to Phase 1 and successful applicants under this scheme will deliver a variety of projects that have a direct climate action impact. 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.

It is open to Kilkenny communities and examples of projects could be anything 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 – the sky is the limit. Community groups can apply for up to €100,000 grant funding, and there is up to 100% funding for successful projects.

This Programme was very well received during Phase 1 by Kilkenny communities with a huge variety of projects taking climate action.

Speaking about the Programme, Cathaoirleach Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh Kilkenny County Council “We’re proud to once again support the Community Climate Action Programme and excited to partner with Kilkenny communities on their climate action journey. The strong participation and success of Phase 1 clearly shows that Kilkenny communities are ready and willing to tackle climate action and this fund will empower them to do just that.

"By placing communities at the heart of this fund, the programme offers a positive opportunity for local communities with the support of Kilkenny County Council to play an active role in helping Ireland to become a climate resilient and carbon neutral society.”

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The Community Climate Action Programme will also support the delivery of Kilkenny County Councils Climate Action Plan. A 5-year statutory Plan that sets out the actions that Kilkenny County Council will take to address climate change. For full details on this plan visit Kilkenny County Council’s website here.

For further information about the Community Climate Action Programme, and how to apply, contact Kilkenny County Council’s Community Climate Action Officer, Breda Maher by email, breda.maher@kilkennycoco.ie or visit Kilkenny County Council’s website, for full details including the Briefing Note, Terms and Conditions and Guidelines document for communities and how to apply for this Programme. Applications for the Programme will be accepted from Wednesday 22nd October 2025, until Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 4pm.