*Brendán Ó Loinsigh, Ballinderreen GAA Club; Paul Bellew, Chairperson of Galway GAA; Denise Feeney and Tina Ryan of Galway County Council’s Climate Action Team; and Padraic Fallon, Chairperson of the GAA Green Club Programme attending the Galway County Council Green Clubs Programme information evening in Ballinderreen GAA Club. Credit Mike Shaughnessy.
COMMUNITY GROUPS across Galway will be provided with new opportunities to take meaningful climate action at a local level when the next round of Community Climate Action Fund opens in September.
Galway County Council have announced that groups can avail of the fresh climate fund from September. The fund is supported by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and is aimed at empowering local communities to develop and deliver climate projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience.
Financial support is available to not-for-profit community organisation including Tidy Towns groups, development associations, sports clubs, and other voluntary organisations under the funding call.
Projects must focus on one or more of the five key climate themes: energy, travel, food and waste, shopping and recycling, and local climate and environmental action.
The 2024 Community Climate Action Fund in County Galway supported a wide range of community-led projects aimed at tackling climate change and promoting sustainability at a local level. The 32 funded initiatives focused on five key areas, community energy, travel, food and waste, shopping and recycling, and local climate and environmental action.
Ahead of this year’s funding announcement, Galway County Council hosted its first Green Clubs event, bringing together GAA, LGFA, and Camogie clubs from across the county to focus on climate action and sustainability in sport. The event, part of the national GAA Green Clubs Programme and supported by Galway GAA, highlighted how local clubs can reduce their environmental impact while strengthening community ties and securing funding supports under schemes such as the Community Climate Action Fund.
Cllr David Collins (FG), Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, said, “This Community Climate Action Fund is about empowering communities across County Galway to take practical, local steps in the fight against climate change. I encourage all community groups to begin preparing their project submissions ahead of the opening of the 2025 funding scheme in September”.
Speaking ahead of September’s funding announcement, Denise Feeney, Community Climate Action Officer for Galway County Council, stated, “The breadth and quality of the projects selected for funding in 2024 is indicative of the real and positive difference communities across County Galway are making to tackle climate change”.
She continued, “Projects included the installation of solar panels and LED lighting to improve energy efficiency in community buildings, the development of cycling infrastructure such as bike shelters and repair stations, the creation of community gardens and orchards, and the introduction of water refill stations and waste reduction measures”.
“Many projects also incorporated biodiversity and educational elements, such as pollinator-friendly planting, composting, rainwater harvesting, and awareness-raising initiatives. The funded schemes highlight the strong commitment of local groups to climate action and reflect the growing momentum behind community-driven sustainability efforts across the county,” added Ms. Feeney.
For more information, visit www.galway.ie or contact the Community Climate Action team at climatefund@galwaycoco.ie.
