PPPs are seen as an economically efficient way of providing infrastructure. PPP projects have been typically used in areas such as water, wastewater, housing, urban regeneration, waste infrastructure and local government services. The DHLGH PPP Unit is available to provide information and assistance to Local Authorities who are considering the PPP option.
Energy Performance Contracts
Energy Performance Contracts (EPC) provide energy services with guaranteed energy savings. All energy saving measures are implemented by an Energy Service Company (ESCO) and financed from the resulting savings with no risk to the building manager as energy savings are contractually agreed.
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HERE.
Biodiversity Funding
The National Parks and Wildlife Services provide a guide to recommended funding sources for biodiversity through national, European and international organisations.
Waterways Ireland
Waterways Ireland works in a strategic alliance with 14 Local Authorities and other stakeholders to facilitate the funding and development of greenways, blue ways and recreational amenities associated with the waterbodies in their remit.
The main waterbodies include the Royal Canal, the Erne System, the Shannon Navigation, the Lower Bann Navigation, the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Grand Canal and the Barrow Navigation.
Funding is also available for individuals, public, private or voluntary sector organisations or legally constituted clubs/associations to run Waterways Ireland events. This support can be operational, promotional and or financial and/or marketing support.
Teagasc
The Agricultural and Food Development Authority is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities.
It provides advice to private and public landowners on a range of funding opportunities including afforestation, native woodlands, agro forestry, forestry for fibre and reestablishment of native woodlands.
Community Gain Funds
Community Gain Funds provide financial assistance to a community as part of the development of infrastructure in that community e.g. windfarm, transport infrastructure or an industrial facility. The fund can be a requirement of legislation or for a licence condition for a particular facility.
The fund typically has application timelines and dates managed by an advisory or steering group. The fund is usually directed to community based clubs or groups, voluntary organisations, educational groups, individuals or businesses for the development of educational, environmental, community and recreational projects.
It allows families, individuals, corporations, trusts and foundations to channel monies, donations, wills, bequests and tax relief in a trusted way back into the community. To do this, the fund facilitates the creation of permanent endowment funds and donor advised funds , international giving , the gifting to causes and charities using wills and bequests, tax relief and the matching of donors to thematic funds.
The fund offers online support and access to professional advisors to assist grantees and donors to make their applications.
The grants available are either: open, so that they can be applied for at any time or; thematic, they have a specific focus with timelines and criteria.
Some of the themes which could be aligned to climate actions include the The Environment and Nature Fund, (enhancement of biodiversity in communities through support for actions and access to ecological expertise to do plans etc) The Bank Of Ireland Begin Together Fund 2020, (Global Action Plan, NGO, Mens Sheds ) The Older Persons Fund (promotion of civic engagement for older persons).
Energia Get Ireland Growing
The Energia Get Ireland Growing Fund in an all of Ireland initiative in partnership with Grow It Yourself (GIY). There are three categories for funding ; ‘Sow’, ‘Grow’ and ‘Harvest’, with awards ranging from €500 to €2,000 and a range of food growing prizes e.g. seeds, grow boxes and a Community Garden worth €5,000 for the most inspiring group of growers.
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland provide cash to progress innovations that address social and environmental problems facing Ireland. The cash offer is subject to participation the annual four month Ideas Academy Programme which provides support and training on innovation. Course content focuses on the development of participant ideas, pilot and project set up.
Examples of projects supported by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland include:
- Grow it Yourself Ireland (sustainable food production);
- Grow Remote (supporting remote working);
- Evocco (eco-friendly shopping assistant app that helps you track the climate impact of your shopping); (prevention of food waste by redistribution of food waste streams from supermarkets)
- The Irish Mens Sheds Association (counteracting social isolation, practical projects include creating window boxes , planters etc for biodiversity).
Social Innovation Fund
The Social Innovation Fund administered by Rethink Ireland uses matched funding from philanthropists and the Irish Government, Department of Rural and Community Development (Dormant Accounts Fund) and Departments of Employment and Social Protection and Children, to provide cash grants and supports for social innovators who add to the social and economic fabric of their communities.
The fund collaborates with corporates, SME’s, families and individuals who want new, tangible and real-world ways to tackle some of the pressing issues facing Ireland today. The aim of the fund is to advance social innovations making proven progress and impact in the areas of Climate Justice, Education, Economic Empowerment and Health.
The climate action areas funded include climate Justice, innovations addressing sustainability, climate change education, recycling, the circular economy, green production and waste awareness.
Social Enterprise Development Fund 2020
The Social Enterprise Development Fund 2020 is part of the Social Innovation Fund created by Rethink in partnership with Local Authorities Ireland and IPB insurance and the Department of Rural and Community Development (Dormant Accounts Fund). It provides cash grants and access to an Accelerator Business Support Programme for social enterprises.
The aim is for these businesses to increase their social impact, their traded income, create more jobs and to develop long-term effective and sustainable solutions that will improve the economic and social fabric of their community.
Community Climate Action Programme
Climate Education, Capacity Building and Learning by Doing (Strand 2)
The purpose of this funding is to facilitate eligible organisations to collaboratively develop supports, tools, know-how and approaches to assist local communities take climate action.
The strand focus is on climate education, capacity building and learning by doing which involves moving beyond ‘raising awareness’ to build the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to respond to challenges of climate change at a community level. It is necessary for successful proposals to demonstrate
inclusivity in design and practice, so that no one is left behind.
In particular, the strand seeks to support projects that have a relevant partnership approach and that include a demonstration component or pilot phase to validate the supports developed.
The Department of Environment, Climate & Communications (DECC) aims to fund a diverse range of projects under
five themes:
- Home/Energy;
- Travel;
- Food and Waste;
- Shopping and Recycling;
- Local Climate and Environmental Action.
Grant amount that eligible organisations can apply for:
- €50,000 to €100,000 (up to 18 month proposal)
- €101,000 to €500,000 (up to 36 month proposal)
The programme welcomes applications from organisations who operate at a National or Regional level including not for profit organisations, non-government organisations, universities, third level institutions, community and voluntary organisations, social enterprises and libraries. Partnerships/Consortiums are encouraged to apply.
LA Waters Community Water Development Fund 2022
Your local community or voluntary group can now apply for a grant under the Community Water Development Fund 2022. This Fund helps local communities deliver projects and initiatives that enhance the local water environment, delivering multiple benefits for biodiversity and climate action. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) administers the Fund on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It is open to all community and voluntary groups to apply.