12 Westmeath projects share €478,000 in climate funding

A total of 12 climate action projects across Westmeath are to share in almost €500,000 in funding, details of which were announced this week.

Almost half of the projects to be funded are located in the Athlone and South Westmeath area and include an LED lighting project for Caulry GAA Club; PV panels for Moate Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and a building retrofit for St. Kieran's Community Centre.

The funding, which is provided to local authorities to partner with community groups, gives amounts of up to €100,000 to larger local projects over an 18-month period, and pays for initiatives such as the installation of renewable energy systems, the development of community gardens, or the installation of EV chargers, bike racks, water refill stations, composting, lighting upgrades or rainwater harvesting.

The €478,000 in funding which has been awarded to Westmeath has been warmly welcomed by local Fianna Fail TD, Robert Troy, who said it is “a firm commitment” of the government's climate action targets and will assist in “reducing the carbon footprint of these facilities while also reducing their energy costs”.

Deputy Troy said “further funding will be forthcoming” through other strands of the Community Climate Action Fund over the coming months and he added that many sporting facilities will also be looking forward to a positive announcement on their applications for Sports Capital Funding which are due to be made public shortly.

The list of successful applicants for the latest round of Community Climate Action Funding in the Athlone and South Westmeath area is as follows:

Rosemount Community Committee: Climate Action Project

Rahugh Hall Development Association: Building Retrofit

Caulry GAA Club: LED Lighting

Moate Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann: PV Panels

St Kierans Community Centre: Building Retrofit

Moate All Whites GAA Club: Building Retrofit