Enviromental Awareness

Westmeath County Council actively promotes greater awareness of all aspects of the environment. Areas of work include, waste prevention and minimisation through education and awareness, liasion with community groups, implementation of the Green Schools programme supporting national campaigns and facilitating a variety of practical and local environmental initiatives.

Local Agenda 21

Local Agenda 21 is the main product of the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The U.N. charter identifies sustainable development as a key principle for governance in the 21st Century hence the term Agenda 21. Ireland among many countries has signed the charter committing itself to the principle. Westmeath County Council has committed itself to these principles in the Publication " Westmeath County Council, Local Agenda 21 Strategy, Leading by Example!", adopted by Westmeath County Council. A copy of this document is available under document downloads.

Local Agenda 21Environmental Partnership Fund

Do you have a project or initiative that could contribute to increasing local levels of environmental awareness or one which promotes building, greener more sustainable communities?

If so, you may qualify for financial assistance from the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund.

The Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small scale, non-profit environmental projects at local level.

Does Your Project Qualify?
Projects should focus on environmental awareness and action, which complement national environmental policies such as those on Waste, Biodiversity and Climate Change.

A wide variety of projects and schemes have been supported under the Fund in previous years ranging from community gardens, allotments and compost schemes to rainwater harvesting systems, educational initiatives and environmental workshops. A list of previous winning projects can be viewed online at www.environ.ie

How to Apply

Download the Application form Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund 2010

Or contact:
Environmental Awareness Officer
Environment Section
Westmeath Co. Council
Mullingar
Co. Westmeath
044 – 9332125 or rmaxwell@westmeathcoco.ie

Anti-litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Initiatives Grants Scheme.

Westmeath Co.Council is allocated funding each year by the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government to fund measures that raise public awareness and promote anti-litter and anti-graffitti activity at local level.

Is your organization working to improve your local environment and to reduce Litter and/or Graffiti? If so you may be eligible for grant assistance.

Local Authorities are responsible for selecting suitable projects for aid and deciding on appropriate allocations. Participation amongst schools is particularly encouraged, as are community-led voluntary schemes.

The maximum grant allowed for any one project may be up to 70% of the project costs, with the balance being met by way of local contributions.

Download the application form Application form Anti Litter Graffiti 2010

Green Schools

Green Schools is an international environmental education programme, offering a well defined, controllable way for schools to take environmental issues into the curriculum and apply them to the day-to-day running of the school. Calculations indicate that around 5 tonnes of waste is directly diverted from landfills per school day in Ireland due to the work of Green-Schools. Green Schools is a holistic, long-term programme. Green Schools offers your school opportunities:

To help develop children's decision making skills
A way to build students confidence and sense of citizenship through participation
To supply curriculum materials and ideas for projects and events
To access a network of support agencies
To link with other schools in Ireland and internationally
To gain a prestigious award
To provide local and national publicity
For financial savings
To reduce litter and waste
To improve school environment
To reduce energy consumption levels
To involve the local community

The awards have four main stages:

Registration
Implementation of Green-Schools Programme
Applying for the award
Award Renewal

The Green Flag Award is renewable every two years, with a new theme tackled in each two year period, whilst still maintaining the previous themes.

The sequence of the themes is outlined below:

Litter and Waste
Energy
Water
Travel
Climate Change or Bio-diversity

80 Westmeath Schools are registered with the Green Schools programme and 50 have obtained the coveted Green Flag for litter and waste and are working on subsequent themes. A number of schools will soon receive their Travel Flags.

For more information and to register your school contact:

Environmental Education Unit,
An Taisce,
5A Swift's Alley,
Francis Street,
Dublin 8.
Telephone: (01) 4002222
Email: greenschools@antaisce.org
Websites: www.greenschoolsireland.org

Document Downloads