New €60,000 Fund Supports Climate Action on The Aran Islands

Galway County Council has announced details of a new funding scheme for organisations, businesses and communities of Oileáin Árann (The Aran Islands) that are interested in developing projects and initiatives focusing on addressing climate change.

€60,000 is being made available through this new pilot Climate Action Fund.

Oileáin Árann, consisting of the three islands of Árainn (Inis Mór), Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr, was designated as the Galway County Decarbonisation Zone in the Galway County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029.

A Decarbonising Zone (DZ) is a chosen area where local authorities and communities work together to reduce the amount of carbon produced by their everyday activities. By looking within the community for ways to live and work more sustainably, these zones can find local solutions to global problems. The main objective of a Decarbonising Zone is to find innovative but achievable ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The fund will support climate action projects in four key theme areas, namely Energy, Travel, Food and Waste, and Local Environmental Action.

The fund is now open to applications.

Councillor Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, celebrated the launch of this Pilot Fund, which she says, “builds upon the remarkable dedication of the communities of Oileáin Árann in the areas of climate action and sustainability”.

Welcoming the opening of the funding scheme, Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council noted that, “This new fund will hopefully be the start of financial assistance to help our island communities to reduce the use of carbon in their day to day lives. The Fund should also help to empower the communities of Oileáin Árann, cultivating stronger, more sustainable and resilient islands”.

He added, “The fund will create learnings that can be shared with communities across the County”.

Uinsinn Finn, Director of Services at Galway County Council acknowledged the existing commitment and strength of community involvement on the islands, who have established a local Comharchumann Fuinneamh to support their goal of increasing the sustainability of their homes and transport while protecting their unique ecosystem.

The closing date for applications to the Oileáin Árann Climate Action Fund is Friday 30th May. Further information is available on https://www.galway.ie/en/services/environment/climate/ or from Rebecca Mooney, Climate Action Officer at climateaction@galwaycoco.ie / 091 509302.