Minister Kelly announces allocations from the environment fund for local environmental initiatives
Issued : Thursday 30 July, 2015
Mr. Alan Kelly, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government today (30 July) announced a total of €1.09 million in allocations for two environmental grant schemes: the 2015 Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund and the 2015 Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme (ALAGS).
Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme
The Minister has allocated €690,000 in grants from the Environment Fund to local authorities under the 2015 Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, local authorities provide support for public education and awareness initiatives in relation to both litter and graffiti.
The anti-litter grants provided to city and county councils are utilised to fund a range of measures aimed at raising public awareness of the litter issue and promoting anti-litter and anti-graffiti activity at a local level. There is a particular focus on voluntary initiatives involving schools, young people and community groups.
A tabular breakdown of the allocation to each local authority is attached at Appendix 1.
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund
This LA 21 fund has operated since 1997 and supports local environmental initiatives by communities, individuals and not-for-profit groups. The Minister has allocated funding of €400,000 to this year’s scheme, maintaining funding at 2014 levels: a tabular breakdown of allocations to each local authority is attached at Appendix 2. In addition to the €400,000 provided by the Department, local authorities will provide matching funding of €400,000 and there will be a significant contribution from private sources. In 2014, total funding invested through the LA21 Scheme was in excess of €1.4m, including the matching funding provided by local authorities, and additional funding leveraged from private sources.
Eligible projects are those that will support and complement, at a local level, national environmental policies such as those on Waste, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Air, Water and Sustainable Development. A wide variety of projects and schemes have been supported under the Fund in previous years including, community gardens, allotments and compost schemes, rainwater harvesting schemes, educational initiatives and environmental exhibitions.
The Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small-scale, non-profit environmental projects at local level. Funding provided by the Department is matched by local authorities, and projects also leverage funding from other sources. Groups seeking funding for eligible projects are invited to make an application to their local authority. Completed application forms should be returned to the relevant local authority at the latest by 5pm, 28 August 2015. Application forms, local authority contacts, and further information on the LA21 Environmental Partnership Fund can be obtained from the Department’s website: http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/LocalAgenda21/, and are also available from local authorities.
In approving the allocations, Minister Kelly highlighted the impact that grant-supported projects can have at local level. “Both the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme and LA21 Environmental Partnership Fund are targeted at providing funding for local projects by local groups to help improve their own immediate environments and make our communities more sustainable and environmentally responsible. The LA21 fund shows how local initiatives can increase environmental awareness and make a real difference in our communities. Together with the local authorities, my Department supported almost 700 projects under this scheme in 2014.”
In relation to the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme, the Ministeracknowledged the contribution that local communities have made in recent years to the continued decrease in litter pollution across the country. “This funding will continue to assist local communities’ efforts by providing resources to raise awareness of the litter and graffiti issues within local areas and, I hope, will encourage further local participation in anti-litter efforts.”
The Minister also acknowledged the key role that local authorities are playing in mobilising innovative responses and initiatives to raise awareness and combat environmental pollution, and he urged them to continue working with community groups and schools to tackle litter and graffiti problems. “These awareness initiatives go beyond mere environmental considerations. The appearance of our cities, towns, villages and our rural and coastal environments has a significant impact on social and economic activity across the country, and also contributes to tourism, creating jobs and generally adding value to everyday lives. These funds provide the impetus to preserve and protect our natural and built environments and help to restore pride and natural beauty throughout our communities.”
