Community Climate Action Fund (CCAF)
Laois County Council offers funding to support local climate action projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing community resilience to climate change. The fund provides up to €100,000 for large-scale projects and is open to not-for-profit community organizations located in Laois.
Please visit our climate action page for the next phase which will be announced soon.
Laois Partnership
This organization often collaborates on community projects, providing support and resources for initiatives aimed at sustainability and climate action. Laois Partnership can be a valuable partner for securing funding and implementing projects.
Just Transition Fund (JTF)
This fund aims to support communities transitioning to a low-carbon economy. While specific details for Laois are not always outlined, community groups can look into broader national and regional calls for proposals under the Just Transition Fund.
SEAI Community Energy Grant
This grant can help your community achieve funding for energy master plans, renewable energy, funding for retrofits and energy efficiency projects. Community and voluntary organisations can receive funding of 30% of capital costs and this figure could rise to 50% following SEAI approval. South East Energy Agency can assist with SEAI funding applications. For full details visit South East Energy Grants website.
Community focused funding opportunities
To help address the climate crises at a local level here is an increase in sustainability project funding categories in grant schemes that may not be at first glance climate action focused. Depending on your groups activities there are other funding opportunities available, some of which are linked below:
- Community Centre Investment Fund 2024: Community organisations will be supported with grants of between €10,000 - €100,000 to develop and enhance their existing community facilities. A wide range of works are eligible for funding including upgrades to windows & doors, energy efficiency upgrades. Full details are available here. Interested groups should now register as “users” on the online portal here in advance of the application process which will open on 29th July 2024 and close on 29th August 2024.
- LEADER Funding: Community funding under the 23-27 LEADER Programme is available to formalised community groups. It is recommended to subscribe to LEADER emails to keep informed. Laois details available from Laois Partnership.
- Laois Partnership: This organization often collaborates on community projects, providing support and resources for initiatives aimed at sustainability and climate action. They can be a valuable partner for securing funding and implementing projects Laois partnership.
- Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme: This grant scheme aims to support innovation and circular economy projects by social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations and businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Typical funding for CEIGS projects under the 2024 call was €10,000 to €50,000. Closing date 2024 passed in July. Details on upcoming 2025 opportunities from Community Foundation Ireland. Sign up for updates here.
Annual grants for community funding
The following grant schemes are now closed for 2024. Details for 2025 will be released on Laois Council County website.
- Local Enhancement Programme: The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides funding to support community groups across Ireland particularly in disadvantaged areas to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, and/or to purchase equipment, such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment etc. (Capital Grants only).
- Community Recognition Fund: The Community Recognition Fund (CRF) is to recognise the huge efforts made by local communities in welcoming and supporting new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries. The minimum grant aid per individual project is €50,000, with a maximum potential grant of €500,000 applying. Match funding is not required. Projects to be funded will be capital in nature.
