Energia Group has announced that 11 projects across the island of Ireland focused on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 Climate Action will receive funding under its new Greener Possibilities fund.
Each of the 11 awarded projects will receive €10,000 to support their project, representing a total award of €110,000 across the island of Ireland. Administered by The Community Foundation for Ireland, the Energia Group Greener Possibilities Fund aims to support projects with a connection to SDG 13, “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.”
Successful applicants were required to propose a project that was related to the climate crisis, climate resilience or biodiversity protection. Applicants who support groups affected by the impacts of climate change, groups involved in climate action or organisations hoping to build a stronger sustainability focus into their existing work were considered as part of the closed fund administered by Community Foundation Ireland.
Global Action Plan, FoodCloud, Leave No Trace, Autism Support Louth & Meath, The Big Idea and ALONE were successful in their application for funding for their Climate Action projects. In Northern Ireland the following applicants were successful; Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, Grow NI, Air Ambulance NI and Age NI.
Commenting on the Greener Possibilities fund and successful projects, Gary Ryan, MD Energia Customer Solutions stated; “At Energia Group, we are delighted to support these deserving climate action projects through our first Greener Possibilities fund. We are firmly committed to promoting climate action and have aligned our responsible business activities to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The Greener Possibilities fund is aligned to SDG 13, Climate Action and it demonstrates our continued support for the communities in which we operate. We have a long-standing record of working in collaboration with community groups to enhance local areas and to benefit local people. We are confident that the continued proactive and innovative action of communities will help Ireland achieve its climate action targets”.
Speaking about their project Keith Magee from Global Action Plan said, “The Energia Group Greener Possibilities fund will allow us in GAP to accelerate our plans to bring the GLAS @ TU Dublin Community Garden to life as a thriving space for community engagement and learning, replicating the successful GLAS Community Garden in Ballymun. The garden, hosted in TU Dublin Blanchardstown, is unique in that it is managed for social inclusion, supporting community members of all ages, abilities and mobilities to join and participate in activities related to organic growing and gardening and building competencies for sustainability, environmental and climate action.”
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said: “Climate action only works when everyone plays their part. This is why we promote a partnership approach led by communities. We are delighted that Energia Group is bringing this focus to its work. The Greener Possibilities Fund recognises the positive efforts to reverse the impact of climate change which are taking place on the ground right across the country. The support being provided will make a big difference not just in terms of awareness raising but also in helping Ireland secure its goals – that’s good news for our communities, our country and our planet.”
Energia Group has a long-standing record of working in collaboration with community groups having invested more than €3 million in communities through our wind farm community benefit funds. In addition, we support a number of climate action education initiatives as well contribute hundreds of volunteering hours every year to worthy local charities across the island of Ireland.
Global Action Plan Ireland, Dublin – Global Action Plan Ireland is and environmental organization with the mission to support sustainable communities across Ireland. Global Action Plan are currently preparing to open a community garden in Blanchardstown. Their project includes a comprehensive community education and engagement plan around climate and sustainability.
The B!G Idea, Carlow – The B!G Idea is creative education initiative that aims to put creative thinking at the centre of Ireland’s second-level education system. This initiative is a contribution to the B!G Idea Project in which secondary school students participate in a climate solutions design project over 12 weeks.
FoodCloud, Dublin – FoodCloud’s mission is to transform surplus food into opportunities to make the world a kinder place. Their project is to carry out an update to their ordering and stock utilisation process which will reduce food wastage.
Leave No Trace Ireland, Mayo – Leave No Trace Ireland provides research, education and outreach so every person who ventures outside can protect and enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Their project is to design and roll out a community biodiversity toolkit that will allow coastal communities to learn to care for their specific environment and partake in citizen science and positive climate action.
Autism Support Louth & Meath, Louth – Autism Support Louth & Meath is a parent led support group for families of both children and adults affected by Autism. Their project is to plant a large biodiverse green belt around a sensory garden for neurodiverse children.
ALONE, Dublin – ALONE is a national organization that enables older people to age at home. They work with all older people, including those who are lonely, isolated, frail or ill, homeless, living in poverty, or are facing other difficulties. Their initiative is a pilot project for insulating older people’s homes.
Northern Ireland
Air Ambulance NI, Antrim – Air Ambulance NI works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, to provide the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for the region. Their project involves the installation of solar panels and an EV charging station at the air ambulance base to reduce carbon emissions. This will support the future use of electric emergency support vehicles.
Grow NI, Belfast – Grow offers opportunities for people of all ages and ability to get involved in growing food and connecting with their community. Their project is to establish a people’s community garden in West Belfast.
Keep Norther Ireland Beautiful, Antrim – Keep Norther Ireland beautiful is an environmental charity dedicated to creating a world where people and nature thrive. Their project is an education and climate action empowerment programme for young people not in the traditional education system.
Now Group, Down – Now Group supports, through a wide range of services, people with learning difficulties and autism in jobs with a future. Their project is to use local volunteers to establish a community food garden for use by Now service users.
Age NI, Antrim – Age NI is dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. Their project consists of a biodiversity initiative for older people as part of Age NI’s wellness programme that will be educational and practical and result in older people making miniature pollinator gardens.
