The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, has announced a large increase to the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund.
This fund, which has operated since 1997, supports local environmental initiatives by communities, individuals and not-for-profit groups. The Minister has allocated funding of €460,000 to this year’s scheme, an increase of 15% on funding in 2016.
Last year 25 Community Groups, Tidy Towns Committees and Schools in County Roscommon benefited from the fund.
Launching the scheme Minister Naughten stated
“I am delighted to announce today the launch of the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund for 2017. Funding provided under this scheme supports local projects to improve the environment and make our communities more sustainable. The fund shows how local initiatives can make a real difference in our communities, and showcases how small changes can make lasting improvements to our environment. Together with the local authorities my Department has supported over 700 projects under this scheme last year and I know that the increase in funding I have announced today will enable even more work to be done this year. The Fund supports small scale non-profit environmental projects such as allotments, community gardens, compost schemes, rainwater harvesting schemes, educational initiatives and environmental exhibitions. Funding provided by my Department is matched by the local authorities, and projects also attract funding from other sources” added Minister Naughten.
Eligible projects are those that will support and complement, at a local level, national environmental policies such as those on Waste, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Air, Water and Sustainable Development. Groups seeking funding for eligible projects are invited to make an application to their local authority
The Application Form can be downloaded here and is also available from Roscommon County Council.
Completed application forms should be returned to the Environment Section of Roscommon County Council by 5pm, on June 23rd. Further information is available from the Environment Section of the Department’s Website and from Roscommon County Council on 090 66 37296.