Community projects benefit from €100,000 in funding
An Irish renewable energy company has awarded funding totalling almost €100,000 to five communities across Cork city and county.
The successful community projects include upgrading a woodland walking trail in Carrigaline; solar panels for Whitechurch National School; defibrillators and other equipment for Ballyclough Community Association; gym equipment for Inniscarra GAA Club and new goalposts for Scoil Mhuire Kanturk.
Amarenco has awarded this funding for these projects. The company was founded in Cork in 2013 to speed up the shift to clean energy. It has five operational solar energy projects located in Inniscarra, Kanturk, Kilmoney, Mallow and Whitechurch and has established community benefit funds for each of the sites which are administered by SECAD.
Declan Cullinane, Managing Director of Amarenco said: “The funds are designed to enhance social, economic and environmental well-being by supporting local groups, recreational facilities and sustainability projects.” Community groups, not-for-profit organisations and charities are invited to apply annually to the funds for large or small-scale projects. Projects located nearest to the sites are prioritised or where a project has a direct benefit to the community closest to the sites. The fund values are proportional to the amount of the energy produced at each site.
Successful projects:
·Kanturk Community Astro Turf - €14,250 for bollard lighting around the astroturf pitch
·Scoil Mhuire Kanturk - €5,221.30 for new modern goalposts
·Ballyclough Community Association - €16,520.75 for defibrillators, electrical equipment, planters, and mink boxes to capture the invasive species
·Inniscarra GAA Club - €4,552.44 to upgrade gym equipment
·Inniscarra Pitch and Putt Club - €8,000 for course drainage
·Carrigaline Community Association - €24,253.07 to upgrade Waterpark walking trail, upgraded toilets in the community complex and lighting for the musical and theatre group.
·Whitechurch National School - €10,253.00 for solar panels
·Whitechurch & Waterloo Community Association - €13,165.82 towards costs of heating controls, lighting and a contribution to fire doors.