Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy, Cllr Oliver Moran, Chair Climate action Committee, Cllr Kenneth Collins, Orla Burke, Community Climate Action Officer, Bryan Fitzgerald Cork Docklands Programme Manager, Marilyn Lennon, The Kinship Project and David Joyce, Director of Services, Emergency Management & Climate Action at the launch of the Community Climate Action Fund in Cork City. Photos: Darragh Kane

Got a green idea? Cork has €1m waiting

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Tony Holton, Blackpool Community Centre, Louise Jordan, Chair of Blackpool Community Centre and Cllr Oliver Moran Chair Climate Action Committee at the launch of the Community Climate Action Fund in Cork city.

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Orla Burke, Community Climate Action Officer demonstrating composting at the launch of the Community Climate Action Fund in Cork city. Almost €1 million is to be made available to community groups across Cork city.

Liudmyla Bortok

Published: Wed 8 Oct 2025, 1:02 PM

Last updated: Wed 8 Oct 2025, 1:18 PM

Community groups across Cork city are being invited to get creative – with almost €1 million in new funding available to support local climate action projects.

The Community Climate Action Fund, run by Cork City Council, opens for applications on 28 October. Groups can apply for grants of up to €100,000 to cut carbon, boost biodiversity, and make neighbourhoods greener and healthier.

This is the second round of funding, following last year’s success when 27 groups shared €860,000 to deliver real change on the ground.

Among them, St Finbarr’s GAA Club received €100,000 for lighting upgrades, solar panels, insulation and new doors and windows. Railway Park Community Group developed the city’s first 'learn to cycle track' and created four rain gardens to improve drainage. Meanwhile, the Shandon Area Renewal Association used its grant to install a polytunnel, boosting food production in their community garden.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Fianna Fáil Cllr Fergal Dennehy, said the programme is about turning big climate goals into local action.

“These community-driven projects are already delivering real benefits; reducing greenhouse gas emissions, restoring biodiversity, and helping communities adapt.”

So what can be funded? Almost anything that makes a difference – from energy upgrades and solar panels to composting, cycling schemes, rain gardens, tree planting or green walls. Small projects can apply for up to €20,000, medium ones for €20,000–€50,000, and the largest for €50,000–€100,000. Each successful group will have 18 months to bring their idea to life, supported by a dedicated Community Climate Action Officer.

Cork City Council Chief Executive, Valerie O’Sullivan, said the projects funded so far show that climate action is not just good for the environment, but good for communities too. “Climate action isn’t just a nice-to-have option but a real way to reduce operational costs, future proofing community facilities throughout the city.”

Applications open on 28 October through the Cork City Council website. Groups must complete an expression of interest form and can contact the Climate Action Unit at climateactionfund@corkcity.ie for guidance.

With nearly €1m now on the table, the council is urging communities to think big – and help shape a greener Cork for generations to come.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.