TWELVE community projects across County Galway are to share €100,000 in funding for biodiversity, climate action and environmental improvements under the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF).
Galway County Council approved the funding at its July meeting, with €50,000 provided by IPB Insurance to mark its centenary and a further €50,000 contributed by the local authority. The funding is aimed at supporting Tidy Towns groups and community organisations to deliver projects that enhance biodiversity, improve public spaces and promote more sustainable communities.
Galway County Council said the initiative targeted towns and villages that have performed strongly in the national Tidy Towns competition, including Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners, recent Endeavour Award recipients and Galway’s two 2026 Pride of Place entrants.
Allocations have been made to community groups in Milltown, Oranmore, Abbey (South Galway), Tuam, An Spidéil, Ballygar, Clifden, Kilkerrin (North Galway), Kinvara, Mountbellew, Portumna and Woodford.
Cllr Andrew Reddington (FG, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway said, “This is a unique initiative in that it attempts to offer strategic funding to communities on a particular Tidy Towns pathway. All our tidy towns groups do very necessary work that complements the work of the Local Authority in keeping our towns and villages looking as well as they can”.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, stated, “Galway County Council is committed to supporting communities through various schemes and this initiative targeted at Tidy Towns organisations is such an example. With the great voluntary work that happens in communities, these specific funding interventions can go a long way. We are delighted to partner with IPB and local communities in delivering this initiative”.
Conneally added that the projects would strengthen local biodiversity, support climate action and build on the long-standing contribution of community volunteers to the appearance and environmental quality of towns and villages across the county.
The largest allocation of €18,000 was awarded to Abbey Community Development Association for a major biodiversity project that includes creating a pollinator corridor, expanding a community orchard, planting native trees and hedgerows, developing wildlife habitats, installing rainwater harvesting systems and biodiversity signage, and transforming the entrance to the Cineál Feichín housing estate into a community nature space.
Milltown Tidy Towns received €15,000 for projects including a sensory garden, community garden, wildflower habitats and an accessible picnic area, while Woodford Parish Development was allocated €12,703 for a Living Carbon Garden featuring rainwater harvesting, native planting, bird and insect boxes, educational workshops and green business initiatives.
Ballygar Tidy Towns secured €12,523 to replace petrol-powered maintenance equipment with battery-operated alternatives, introduce pollinator planting, native hedging, water butts and energy-efficient lighting.
Oranmore Tidy Towns was awarded €10,000 to develop a Bat Discovery Trail and biodiversity enhancement project centred on its existing Bloom Postcard Garden.
Clifden Tidy Towns received €9,757 to create a pollinator-friendly community garden and improve planting at Tullyvoheen estate, while Tuam Tidy Towns secured €6,072 to establish a green corridor and pocket orchard along the River Nanny through the removal of invasive species.
Kinvara Tidy Towns was allocated €6,042 for a community polytunnel, raised beds and educational facilities to support biodiversity projects linked to its Biodiversity Action Plan.
Portumna Tidy Towns received €4,656 for a polytunnel to support year-round community growing, while Mountbellew District and Development Association was awarded €3,000 to create a new pollinator garden around public sculptures.
Smaller grants included €1,127 for Kilkerrin Tidy Towns to establish a community orchard, plant native hedging and purchase battery-powered maintenance equipment, and €1,120 for Coiste na mBailte Slachtmhara an Spidéil to develop a biodiversity-friendly community garden behind Spiddal Library.
