The Community Climate Action Programme is a new programme to support small and large, rural and urban communities to take climate action at a local level. Westmeath County Council, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications will support communities to promote and assist in community climate action.The overall objective of the programme is to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way to contribute to national climate and energy targets.

Building Low Carbon Communities

Westmeath County Council have been given an allocation of €478,000 for projects under strand 1. Under this scheme communities will partner with Westmeath County Council to carry out projects that have a direct climate action impact.

Sample Project Examples

• Small Renewable Energy Projects (Solar, Hydro, Wind)
• Retro Fitting Community Buildings
• Community EV Charging Points
• Improving access to Cycle Ways
• Cycle Parking
• Active Travel Routes to School
• Community Gardens to promote local food production
• Allotments
• Community Composting
• Repair Hubs
• Water Fill Stations
• Local Recycling Facilities
• Mini Forests
• Pollinator Projects

2024 – Application for 2024 are now CLOSED

12 community groups from Westmeath have been approved for funding to the amount of €476,062 to carry out a range of energy efficiency and climate positive projects in the county.

Westmeath County Council saw a high level of interest from community groups all around the county seeking funding under the new Community Climate Action Grant. Community groups were assisted by John Jackson, Community Climate Action Officer, Westmeath County Council to prepare and submit their applications for funding.

A variety of community groups including residents’ associations, community centres, community childcare groups, tidy towns groups & sports clubs submitted applications. The projects varied from small scale installation of solar panels to upgrading lighting systems, community composting, water refilling stations, bicycle hubs, through to very ambitious building retrofit projects.

These projects are being supported under Strand 1 of the Community Climate Action Grant from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Strand 1 of the programme seeks to address themes such as home/energy, travel, food & waste, shopping & recycling and local climate, and environmental action. This will mean more efficient building; better travel options; more liveable towns and cities; more sustainable consumer choices; and a better environment for future generations. This strand of the Community Climate Action Programme empowers communities to realise these benefits.

The successful applicants are as follows:

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