Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
148. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider extending the deadline for the Community Climate Action Programme strand 2 funding to facilitate public participation network groups to carry out the necessary consultation with communities during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60066/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Fund Community Climate Action Programme was launched by my Department on Wednesday 10 November, 2021. This programme will see €60 million from the Climate Action Fund invested in community climate action projects and initiatives, as well as capacity building, over the next three years. The overall aim of this programme is to support and empower communities to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way to contribute to national climate and energy targets.
Phase 1 involves the allocation of an initial €30 million over an 18-month period for two strands of the programme. Under Strand 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme a total of €6 million is being provided to build community capacity in relation to climate action.
While €1 million of this has already been allocated to the Creative Climate Action Fund, the remaining €5 million has been allocated for an open call for projects and initiatives that facilitate community climate action through education, capacity building and learning by doing. This call is being managed by Pobal on behalf of my Department. Applications opened on 15 November and were originally scheduled to close at 3pm on 14 January 2022. However, having regard to feedback from interested organisations, including those seeking suitable partnerships and consulting with communities in developing their proposals, I have decided to extend the deadline for receipt of applications until 27 January 2021. Further details on the application process are available on Pobal’s website.
