Funding and resources

Everyone has an important role in taking climate action. That's why we're supporting communities to come together and see how climate actions can work for them.

Building on extensive research of the needs of a broad range of stakeholder and community groups, a training programme has been developed in climate engagement and communications. This training programme was developed by Dublin City University for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to deliver accessible and best practice guidance on the development and implementation of effective engagement programmes in climate action for community groups and larger organisations.

Communications

• challenges of communicating about climate change
• framing your messages for particular audiences

Engagement

• levels and kinds of engagement
• engagement case studies and best practice

Implementation

• how to plan and design a climate engagement event
• how to locate, communicate with, and engage your target audience

The Climate Actions Work Community and Engagement Fund was announced in 2024 based on feedback received from stakeholders and communities across Ireland through the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA). Insights from the NDCA showed that:

There is a sense of urgency around climate action and an enthusiasm to work with government at all levels.

• There are volunteers leading climate action projects in nearly every community in Ireland and they want ‘joined up thinking’ and ‘ambitious policies’ to be reflected ‘where they live’.
• The barriers faced these communities include encouraging more people to get involved, collaborating with each other, and sustaining their work over time.

This fund, administered by the Community Foundation Ireland, supports community groups in overcoming these barriers by providing over €500,000 in small to medium sized grants which support:

• Community Awareness: promoting and creating awareness of climate action projects in the local area and encourage others to get involved.
• Community Engagement: making connections between groups and project and coordinating their efforts.
• Community Activation: developing new partnerships to support new and larger projects, programmes, and the establishment of sustainable structures at the community level.

The grants, ranging from €2,500 - €10,000, have been distributed to 96 community groups and organisations across 23 counties. It is estimated that 30,000 people will benefit from the activities generated through this fund with the support of over 2,000 volunteers.

A full list of the projects funded under this programme is available in the document below.

As well as the Climate Actions Work Engagement fund, we are supporting community climate action through a range of other funding schemes:

Community Climate Action Programme

The Community Climate Action Programme is making €27 million available to community organisations to enhance their climate action, with Community Climate Action Officers in place to work with local authorities and community groups.

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Just Transition Fund

The EU Just Transition Fund has made €169 million available to support midlands communities vulnerable to the climate transition.

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The National Just Transition Fund has made up to €22.1 million available to a variety of projects to further support communities in this region.

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Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme

The purpose of this grants scheme is to provide support to projects which work in the Circular Economy space, with the aim of advancing the Circular Economy in Ireland and raising awareness of the need to transition to a Circular Economy.

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