A TOTAL of €649,000 has been awarded to 36 community-based organisations across County Clare under Phase 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme, supporting locally led projects that respond directly to the challenges of climate change.
Clare County Council, in partnership with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, is supporting the delivery of these initiatives as part of a national programme designed to empower communities to work with their local authority in shaping low‑carbon, sustainable places and contributing to national climate and energy targets.
The funding has been allocated under Strand 1, Phase 2 of the programme, Building Low Carbon Communities.
The successful Clare projects will be delivered over the next 16 months and will address one or more of the programme’s five themes, including community energy, food and waste, travel, shopping and recycling, and local climate and environmental action.
The announcement was highlighted at Ennis Men’s Shed, one of 23 Clare projects supported during Phase 1 of this programme.
That Men’s Shed project included the installation of a solar photovoltaic system, a polytunnel, rainwater harvesting infrastructure and pollinator planting, thereby demonstrating the practical and community‑led climate solutions the programme seeks to support.
Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Paul Murphy, said, “Communities across County Clare have shown a great interest in climate action. The groups funded through Phase 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme will lead by example and play a central role in advancing climate and environmental initiatives locally.”
Carmel Kirby, Director of Service, Clare County Council, said, “As we saw in Phase 1, supporting local projects is key if we want to scale up community climate action. We are delighted to be partnering with so many groups across the county in Phase 2 of the programme and look forward to supporting them in delivering their climate action projects.”
Community Climate Action Officer with Clare County Council, Mary Corry, said, “It is evident the impact this funding can have at a local level, as we collectively work to tackle climate change. The project at Ennis Men’s Shed is just one example of what can be achieved through the Community Climate Action Programme, and we are really pleased to be able to support such a wide geographical spread of projects in this latest round of funding.”
The Clare Recipients of Strand 1, Phase 2 of the programme, Building Low Carbon Communities are: Ballina Killaloe Sports & Community Facilities Development Company (Clarisford) CLG (€44,000); Ballyea Development Association (€12,000); Banner GAA Club (€11,000); Bodyke GAA & Bodyke Community Together Group (€17,000); Carrowcore Group Water Scheme (€8,000); Cill Mhuire Community Centre CLG (€14,500); Clarecare CLG (€27,500); Clarecastle GAA Club (€14,000); 14th Clare Scout Group (€19,000); Cloonanaha Church Restoration (€4,500); Clonlara Leisure Athletic and Sports Society CLG (€30,500); Cloughleigh Residents & Development Group (€17,500); Cnoc na Gaoithe Comhaltas Cultural Centre (€20,000); Common Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Living CLG (€39,000); Corofin Future Planning Group (€17,000); Cratloe Community Council (€22,500); Crusheen Community Centre CLG (€12,000); Éire Óg GAA Club (€25,000); Ennis Golf Club (€24,500); Ennis Tidy Towns (€9,500); Irish Aerial Creation Centre (€13,000): Kilballyowen Development CLG (€25,500); Kilfenora Hall & Tidy Towns (€7,000); Killanena GAA Club (€24,000); Liscannor Community Development CLG (€15,500); Lissycasey Community Hall (€10,000); Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Centre CLG (€1,000); Querrin Schoolhouse CLG (€8,500); Quin Village Tidy Towns (€21,000), Ruan GAA Club (€18,500); Scariff GAA Club (€21,000); Shannon Community Partnership & Advocacy Group CLG (€5,000); St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield GAA Club (€25,000); St. Kieran’s Community Centre (€28,000); Toonagh Community Centre (€12,000); Tulla GAA Club (€25,000).
