€100,000 Available For Community Climate Action Projects in Wexford

Community groups in Wexford are being advised to apply for funding to establish environmental projects in their area.

The application process for the Local Environmental Action Fund or LEAF programme is now open with 100 thousand euro being divided amongst groups here.

Wexford County Council has confirmed each district will receive 20 thousand euro with the funding set to go towards Tidy Towns initiaitves and similar schemes.

Eoghan Greene is the Funding Officer at the Community Development Department of the council.

He explains the purpose behind the funding.

"It's essentially designed to support the sustainability goals and aims of local community lead groups that are involved in climate action, biodiversity or climate enhancement projects.

"It's about communities working together for the climate".

Tidy Towns groups are being urged to get their applications in before the 7th of August.

Mr Greene says it's hoped there will be some results of this funding before the end of the year.

"The application deadline is the 7th of August while we expect the awards to be made at the end of August or the start of September.

"We're looking for the project delivery to be between September and November with all projects completed before the end of the year."

Groups must be registered with local Public Participation Networks while applications of up to 20 thousand euro for climate action projects may be considered.

Mr Greene says they want to see local people take pride in their area.

"It's important to support their ideas, their actions and their projects to get participation from the local community and build that capacity.

"This will empower the community groups that are willing and able and on the ground.

"This will make them feel like they have a say in their future and how we are going to implement our climate actions."

That report was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.