Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
98. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when funding will be approved for the community climate action programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41852/23]
View answerThe Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) will see more than €61.5 million from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) invested over two phases in supporting communities across the country to run direct climate action projects and initiatives under strand 1/1a, as well as capacity building under strand 2. This funding has already been approved.
Under the first phase of Strand 1 of the CCAP, €24 million is being provided from the CAF to Local Authorities to support community climate action projects. A further €3 million is being provided from the Shared Island Fund under Strand 1a to support cross-border and all-island community climate action initiatives. Work on this strand is at an advanced stage, with 29 local authorities having a Community Climate Action Officer in place to offer guidance and support to communities who apply. It is anticipated that this programme will open for applications shortly. Interested parties should contact their local authority for more information on the programme.
Strand 2 of the CCAP involves an open call worth €5 million for education, capacity building and learning by doing projects that is being run by Pobal on behalf of my Department. On October 26 2022, 18 projects from a range of community groups from around the country were approved for funding and 17 are currently in delivery.
Strand 2 of the programme also saw €1 million from the CAF allocated to the first phase of Creative Climate Action, which was a competitive fund of €2 million supported by the Climate Action Fund and the Creative Ireland Programme. This programme aims to engage the public on climate change through the creative and cultural sectors. 14 projects were approved for funding under the first phase.
A further €5.8 million in funding for 43 successful recipients under the Creative Climate Action Fund II was announced in July 2023, which includes €2.5 million in funding from the CAF. Details of the successful projects are available on the website of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
