COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, April 08, 2024
QUESTION NO.27
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive what grants are available to local Tidy Towns groups and other groups to undertake Climate change projects at a local community level?
REPLY:
South Dublin County Council’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2024-2029, was approved by Elected Members at the County Council meeting, held on Monday February 12th 2024. The CAP sets out a range of actions across the six theme areas of Energy & Buildings, Transport, Flood Resilience, Nature Based Solutions, Circular Economy & Resource Management and Citizen Engagement. This is aligned to the Government’s overall National Climate Objective, which seeks to pursue and achieve, by no later than the end of 2050, the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy. The inclusion of a specific Community Engagement Action area in the Plan, demonstrates the Council’s commitment to engage and support citizens and stakeholders to deliver effective, informed climate action at the local level, across South Dublin County.
The Council launched the Community Climate Action Programme on 13th December 2023. Funding of €1.073m is available for local, not-for-profit community groups and organisations over an initial 18-month period, to undertake local climate action projects. The overall objective of the Programme is to support and empower communities, in partnership with SDCC, to deliver projects that shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a considered and structured way, to help contribute to national climate and energy targets. Communities can play a crucial role in driving such positive change. In conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, SDCC will support this through the Climate Action Plan. Project sizes include small (up to €20,000), medium (€20,000 - €50,000) and large (€51,000 - €100,000).The closing date for receipt of applications was Wednesday 27th March 2024. The Council is currently assessing project applications received, of which the final project list will be determined and approved by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Successful projects are expected to commence in Q3 2024.The Climate Action Section has undertaken extensive engagement with local groups across the County, on the availability and opportunities provided by this fund. Further information is available at https://www.sdcc.ie/en/climate-action/community-climate-action-programme/
Tidy Towns groups across the County can also apply for the Tidy Towns Funding Programme 2024. This programme offers Tidy Towns Committees the opportunity to apply for funding to assist with costs associated with their voluntary efforts, on working to enhance and improve the physical environment in their local areas and actively participate in the National Tidy Towns Competition. The maximum amount of funding currently available, is €12,000 per group. All money needs to be drawn down in 2024 and receipts provided for the entire spend. The closing date for this fund is 27th May 2024. Further information is available at https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/community/funding-and-support/tidy-towns/
Local groups can also apply for the Community Recognition Fund 2024, of which the Application Window 1 closing date is 31st May 2024. The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in support cities, towns and villages nationwide. Based on the continued impacts on communities throughout the country and the need to support these communities in welcoming new arrivals, a further €50 million is being provided under the Community Recognition Fund 2024. With specific regard to climate action, projects can include for example: parks, community/sensory gardens, allotments, recreational areas and transport infrastructure. For 2024, the SDCC allocation is €2,249,663. Further information is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/e626a-community-recognition-fund-2023/#2024-community-recognition-fund
The Council will continue to engage with local groups across the County, on grants and funding streams available for local climate action and environmental projects.