A total of 880 projects are set to receive funding from this year’s Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund, which supports local environmental initiatives by communities, individuals and not-for-profit groups.

According to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, the projects to receive funding through this year’s scheme showcase how small changes at a local level can make lasting improvements to the environment.

Denis Naughten
Minister Naughten has maintained the increased level of funding for 2018

In 2017, Minister Naughten secured increased funding for the LA21 Scheme of €460,000 and maintained this increased level of funding for 2018. Funding provided by his Department is matched by local authorities, and projects may also attract funding from other sources. A total of €453,000 of the available €460,000 was drawn down by local authorities.

The €453,000 drawn from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is matched by local authorities and also supplemented by the applicants’ own funding and other sources, giving a total investment of over €1.5m in 2018.

Eligible projects are those that will support and complement, at local level, national environmental policies such as those on Waste, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Air, Water and Sustainable Development.

A wide variety of projects received support in 2018 including, among others, community gardens, allotments, tidy town groups, compost schemes, rainwater harvesting schemes and educational initiatives.

For further information on the LA21 Environmental Partnership Fund and a list of projects to receive funding in 2018 visit www.dccae.gov.ie