Case Studies We have collected detailed case studies of successful community-led projects from Ireland and the UK to inspire you and help you develop your ideas. These case studies are grouped into six themes: community-owned energy, tourism opportunities, sectoral development, green skills, low carbon & active travel, and community & business incubation hubs. Community-Owned Energy Case Studies Brighton Energy Cooperative Brighton Energy Co-op began in 2010. The project enables people to put in a small amount of money to collectively build large scale renewable energy systems. The co-op now has up to 600 members and has raised over £3,000,000. Download PDF Cloughjordan Ecovillage In 1999, Sustainable Projects Ireland Ltd sought to establish Ireland’s first ecovillage. The plan was to create a community of dedicated environmentalists; to buy a site together on which they could each build their lives. Download PDF Developing Sustainable Energy Projects, SEAI The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are supporting communities to develop community owned sustainable energy projects. The primary way of achieving this is by supporting communities to form Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) and supporting communities in developing Energy Masterplans, Energy Audits, feasibility studies and accessing funding. Download PDF Humshaugh Net Zero PV Project Humshaugh Net Zero (HNZ), a community-based climate action organisation in Northumberland, have agreement with a local landowner to begin developing a PV project of up to 1 MW, capable of supplying the average electricity needs for more than 150 households. Download PDF Inis Meáin community-owned wind turbine This community owned energy co-operative on the Aran Islands brings residents and businesses of the three islands together to become self-sufficient in locally generated renewable energy. The non-profit Cooperative was set up in 2012 and has a board of 12 elected members who meet for an Annual General Meeting. Download PDF Mullingar Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) Mullingar Sustainable Energy Community was formed in 2018, supported by the Mullingar Chamber of Commerce. They are developing a 5MW community-owned solar farm on a former landfill site. The group is in contact with other communities supported by the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland). Download PDF Tourism Opportunities Case Studies Creating Connected Tourism Hubs: North Coast 500 and Northumberland 250 The North Coast 500 and Northumberland 250 are two key initiatives in the UK which have accelerated rural tourism by advertising destinations to local, national and global audiences. They have been powerful tools in unlocking the potential of rural locations by providing clear routes for accessing them which has enabled a large impact upon local businesses and communities. Download PDF Lough Ree Distillery (Phase 2 – Visitor Centre and Facility Expansion) The development of the micro-distillery began in August 2018, named Phase 1 by the Lough Ree Distillery (LRD). The project has currently moved into Phase 2, which involves the construction of a full-scale commercial whiskey distillery and visitor experience on the main site in Lanesborough. Download PDF Extension to Peatland Biodiversity Boardwalk – Final Phase of Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park This project will enhance the existing Lullymore Heritage Park through a 300-metre extension to the biodiversity boardwalk. This will enable access to the West Plantation Woodland. Download PDF The Cavan & Leitrim Railway Dromod is a unique family attraction, which allows visitors to ride on heritage locomotives and view their collection of aircraft, buses and steam/diesel locomotives. Download PDF Sectoral Development Case Studies Developing Community Farming Projects, Cill Ulta Cill Ulta (LAN Ctr) in Donegal Gaeltacht is a tomato growing enterprise supplying the Dublin early markets. In the late 1990’s, Lárionad Acmhainní Nádúrtha (LAN), a non-profit with charitable status, was formed to use and revive the site. Download PDF Ferbane Food Campus and Innovation Centre In 2003 Ferbane Business & Technology Park was established to create a critical mass of industry which could boost employment. Download PDF The Ludgate Hub The Ludgate Hub is a non-profit social enterprise which services businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, creatives and artists by providing a space to network, expand and scale businesses in West Cork. Download PDF Green Skills Case Studies Abbeyleix Climate Action Walk The project involves an interactive Climate Action Walk through the town of Abbeyleix, which features QR codes to raise awareness of what climate change looks like on the ground. The project involves Dr Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator in Residence with Abbeyleix Climate Action Project. Download PDF Hounslow Green Skills Bootcamp Hounslow Borough Council and wider community partners secured funding to deliver environmental skills training in land management and arboriculture through a 4-week course which began in February 2023. The course was aimed at unemployed Hounslow residents to help kickstart green careers and concluded with an interview with a partner employer. Download PDF Ovington Tree Planting Project The Ovington Tree Project aims to deliver increased biodiversity, new wildlife corridors and improve carbon sequestration in the Tyne Valley area of Northumberland, with around 2,500 trees planted to date. Download PDF The National Construction Training Centre, Mount Lucas The National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas offers training services, assessment, certification and registration in construction related areas to the employed and unemployed and is recognised as a retrofitting and NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Buildings) Centre of Excellence within the Midlands. Download PDF Wicklow Sustainable Energy Community: Energy Awareness Day Wicklow Sustainable Energy Community is a voluntary group which sets out to ensure that Wicklow responds to the climate emergency. The group has been shortlisted as a finalist in SEAI’s Energy Awards 2022 in the Inspirational Energy Community category and hosted a free Energy Awareness Day in June 2022. Download PDF Low Carbon & Active Travel Case Studies AppleCoRRE: Community Rapid and Renewable Energy Hub In 2015, Applecross Community Company (ACC) developed a 90kW hydro scheme. In 2020, ACC undertook an initial investigation into the installation of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Applecross and its integration with the 90kW community hydro turbine scheme. Download PDF Community led EV pilot project and Leitrim Community Car Scheme The aim of the project is to assess the needs and demands of community and rural EV-sharing initiatives, and to develop electric transport solutions. The project is complementing a recently published Climate Action Plan. Download PDF Fingal County Council Community Car Service Fingal County Council partnered with Local Link and GoCar to launch a ‘Community Car’ service pilot in 2019, marking the first of its kind in a local authority in Ireland. Download PDF Launch of Bolt e-bikes in Sligo Town In the summer of 2022 Bolt launched their pilot shared electric bike scheme in Sligo, marking the first Irish electric bike service. The launch in Sligo was part of Bolt’s wider mission to deploy 16,000 electric bikes across Europe in 2022. Download PDF Community & Business Incubation Hubs Cheviot Centre – Glendale Gateway Trust Glendale Gateway Trust is a charity which established the Cheviot Centre, a community hub in Northumberland, which offers room hire and offices. Download PDF Portlaoise Enterprise Centre Portlaoise Enterprise Centre (PEC) is a not-for-profit company in the community sector which offers a range of facilities to encourage businesses to develop. Download PDF Pulse Hub / Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub The aim of the project is to support enterprise, innovation and start-ups to grow the economy of Ballinasloe and increase footfall. The new remote working and co-working hub will involve the refurbishment of the 6,000 sq.ft. Bank Chambers Building. Download PDF Saint Joseph’s Community Centre: New Remote Working Hub and Cycle Tourism Centre This project is designed to reinvigorate the local economy and realise the potential of Kilcormac as a gateway to Boora. The project is aiming increase footfall and dwell time of visitors, supporting existing businesses and creating demand for new enterprises and activities related to the tourism industry. Download PDF