Deadline extended for environmental partnership fund applications
The deadline for applications to Cavan County Council for financial assistance from the Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund 2015 has been extended to Wednesday, September 9, at 5pm.
Promoting sustainable development by assisting small scale, non-profit environmental projects at local level, in the past the fund has supported projects which complement national environmental policies such as those on waste, biodiversity, water conservation and climate change.
They include community gardens and allotments, compost schemes, rainwater harvesting, biodiversity projects, waste reduction initiatives, educational initiatives and environmental exhibitions. Lists of previously funded projects can be viewed online at www.environ.ie/en/Environment/LocalAgenda21.
Environmental Awareness Officer with Cavan County Council, Conor Craven told The Anglo-Celt: “The Fund encourages involvement of local communities in local action and decision-making and assists them in working towards the goal of sustainable development. The value of the scheme is enhanced by the voluntary effort that it facilitates.”
A total of €397,760 was provided by the Department to 697 projects around the country last year. The funding was matched by equivalent funding from the local authorities. In Cavan, projects which received funding included Tidy Towns organisations, community gardens, and a natural outdoor classroom at St Anne's National School in Bailieborough with its construction of a Cordwood wall.
Mr Craven explained: “Their idea was to develop an organic garden and an accessible 'Outdoor Living' classroom for students of all abilities to enjoy. They included organic school garden, established an outdoor sensory area for students with special needs and the whole thing tied into a study of the area and the native habitat.”
Applications for funding under the Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund 2015 are made directly to the local authority, to Conor Craven, Environmental Awareness Officer, or by email to ccraven@cavancoco.ie.
Application forms (in both Irish and English) are available online at www.environ.ie, and applications must be made no later than 5pm on Wednesday, September 9.