Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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144. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 12 December 2023, if his Department has funding options for community and voluntary organisations to lead on climate action including training and awareness raising. [5932/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Recognising the key role of community climate action in our transition to a climate neutral society, last month, I launched a fund of €27 million from the Climate Action Fund for local organisations working to build low carbon communities. Applications to access this funding are now open across the country. All local authorities have a dedicated Community Climate Action Officer (CCAO) who will assist interested groups with their applications and provide guidance on the programme, helping to match local action with suitable funding.

Groups who are interested in applying should contact their local authority and request to speak to the Community Climate Action Officer about the programme before applications close in early March. Further information on the launch and fund details are available

Funding is also provided annually through the Circular Economy Fund (previously the Environment Fund) for the following:

• The Irish Environmental Network (more details )
• An Taisce Green Schools (more details )
• ECO UNESCO Young Environmentalist awards (more details ). Submissions are currently being invited for these awards.

• EU Just Transition Fund Programme (more details )
• Community Climate Action Programme – Creative Climate Action Phase 2 (more details )