Major boost for community groups across Waterford as funding of €564k is confirmed

Seventeen community groups across Waterford have been allocated €564,000 in funding for local projects under the Community Climate Action Programme.

The initiative, which was launched earlier this year, aims to support small and large, rural and urban communities to tackle climate action at a local level and provide these communities with the opportunities to take a holistic approach and actively transition to low carbon and sustainable communities.

Community projects across the Deise County are to receive funding of between €4,000 and €92,000 to provide their communities with the support and resources to implement a myriad of climate action initiatives.

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Under the programme, projects must address the themes of energy; travel; food and waste; shopping and recycling; and local climate and environmental action. 

The successful projects range from the upgrading of pitch lighting to LEDs, to the installation of solar PVs, urban orchards, pollinator plantations, the introduction of a community fridge and a school uniform recycling programme.

One of the successful applicants, Tallow GAA Club, received over €59,000 for multiple projects, including the installation of solar pitch lighting, the installation of water refilling stations, bike parking and pollinator planting at both Tallow GAA and Bridewell AFC.

The Top of the City Community Garden received €45,000 to introduce vertical growing spaces and green roof structures, along with a rainwater filtration system, foraging area for community hens and a raised pond.

Welcoming the funding, Susan Lee, community climate action officer with Waterford City and County Council, said: “These community groups have shown their commitment and foresight in implementing climate action measures that will have a resounding impact on their communities as a whole.”

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Another group - Ardmore Tidy Towns was awarded €48,150 for spearheading a town-wide initiative that will benefit St. Declan’s GAA Club, St. Declan’s Camogie Club, Ardmore and Grange LGFA, St. Declan’s Community Park, Ardmore Community Hall and Ardmore and Grange ICA Hall.

Louise Carlton of Ardmore Tidy Towns commented: “We wanted to make a positive change in the community and one that we would all benefit from. This is a true collaborative effort between multiple local groups working together to make our area more sustainable for the future and we have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm this initiative has generated.”

Affane-Cappoquin Tourin GAA Club and Sigersons GAA Club Strabane in Tyrone were awarded €92,007 (€42,200 and €49,807 respectively) for a cross-border collaborative project, where both clubs installed solar panels, with Affane introducing bike parking, along with the transformation of a dying ash plantation into an accessible biodiversity amenity space, a pre-loved sports kit programme and a hybrid converter.

Waterford groups approved for funding