Jenny Beale of Brigit’s Garden in Rosscahill speaking to members of local community groups and Galway County Council’s Climate Action Team about the benefits of the newly launched Community Climate Action Fund. Credit Aengus McMahon.
A €762,000 community climate action fund has been launched in Galway.
Galway County Council has announced the fund which is aimed at supporting grassroots efforts to implement climate action projects across the county.
Launched during Climate Action Week, the initiative offers full financial support to not-for-profit organisations, including community and voluntary groups such as Tidy Towns committees, development associations and sports clubs.
Eligible projects will align with one or more of five key climate themes: community energy, sustainable transport, local food promotion, circular economy and waste reduction, and local environmental action.
To celebrate the launch, the Council hosted a showcase event at the weekend at Brigit’s Garden in Rosscahill, where attendees explored successful projects and received guidance on applying for the 2025 fund. Applications opened on Tuesday via Galway County Council’s application portal galwaycoco.submit.com and will close on 16 December.
The 2024 round of funding backed 32 diverse initiatives across County Galway, from solar panel installations and energy-efficient lighting to cycling infrastructure, community gardens, and water refill stations.
Councillor David Collins (FG), Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, described the fund as “a major opportunity for local communities to make a real difference. From small rural groups to larger organisations, everyone can play a part in building a more sustainable future for Galway”.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, praised the impact of the 2024 projects, noting the Council’s pride in supporting a wide range of climate-focused initiatives. “The range and quality of projects supported in 2024 show the positive impact that communities across County Galway are having in addressing climate change. These initiatives are also delivering tangible benefits for communities, helping to reduce energy expenses and enhance the comfort of community buildings”.
Uinsinn Finn, Director of Services with Galway County Council, highlighted the growing momentum behind local climate initiatives. “The success of the 1st round of the fund highlights the commitment of communities and organisations across County Galway to circular economy practices, renewable energy and carbon reduction. It also reflects the ambition of the Galway County Council Climate Action Plan 2024–2029,” he said.
“We look forward to working with communities and organisations across County Galway in assisting them with their applications to the Fund”.
To further support applicants, Galway County Council has partnered with the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board to offer a free online Climate Action Course on October 22nd and 29th. The course will help community groups identify practical climate actions and navigate the funding process. Contact climateaction@galwaycoco.ie for more information or for assistance with Climate Fund applications.
