Community climate action
SSE Airtricity’s Generation Green Community Fund supports communities across Ireland to take practical climate action: cutting emissions and costs and building more sustainable spaces. From clean energy upgrades, to repair and reuse initiatives, these projects are helping make climate action part of everyday life
Energy and community infrastructure
Supporting communities to reduce emissions and costs, and future-proof spaces through clean energy upgrades. Community organisations are upgrading their facilities with renewable energy, improved insulation and sustainable infrastructure.
Projects include:
Common Knowledge Centre
Funding is supporting Common Knowledge to expand its climate action and sustainability programmes, reaching over 1,500 people with practical skills in low-carbon living, ecological design, renewable energy and regenerative practices. It will also support a pilot programme helping 16 communities strengthen local climate action through shared learning and resources, while enhancing biodiversity and ecological restoration across Common Knowledge’s 50-acre site.
Location: Clare
Liffey Area Partnership
With fund support, the Liffey Area Partnership will install a log cabin on site at the Cherry Orchard Community Garden that will provide an indoor training space to allow the group to provide year-round educational workshops and certified courses to the Dublin 10 area and other communities. The organisation will also purchase a refrigerated electric van for the delivery of locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables to community retailers.
Location: Dublin
Enniskillen Gaels GAA
With over 600 members, Enniskillen Gaels GAA, sought funding from SSE Airtricity's Generation Green Community to go towards energy efficiency improvements: new LED floodlights, ball catch nets, pitch side fencing, drainage and solar panels to create a sustainable, year-round community space. The project will also undertake bio planting to support biodiversity and enhance the aesthetics of the area.
Location: Fermanagh
Sunday’s Well Rugby Football Club
Funding will support the installation of solar panels to meet the clubs growing energy needs and reduce its fossil fuel dependency. It will also re-introduce a 'treeline' on the clubs’ grounds that was removed in 2006, enhancing biodiversity and improving the local environment. In addition, the club will install a bike rack to encourage greener travel choices, making it easier for members and visitors to cycle to the club instead of driving.
Location: Cork
Cloughjordan Community Football Club
Cloughjordan Football Club aims to become a greener, more sustainable community facility. Funding will support the installation of solar panels and insulation upgrades to reduce energy use and generate renewable power for club facilities. It will also fund a 680-metre walking track with energy-efficient LED lighting, providing a safe, accessible space for the wider community to exercise, stay active and enjoy the outdoors.
Location: Tipperary
Cancer Care West
Cancer Care West will reduce the environmental impact of its three premises by embedding sustainability into its operations, policies and future planning. Funding from the SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund will support a range of energy-efficiency measures, including solar panels, upgrading the building to support a solar thermal PV system, and upgraded energy-efficient equipment such as a tumble dryer and display fridge
Location: Galway
Building resilient communities
Projects focused on long-term sustainability, accessibility and community wellbeing.
- TASC, Think-tank for Action on Social Change: TASC will deliver three People’s Transition processes across Ireland, using climate action to support local development. (Limerick, Donegal and Down)
- Inishturk Community Club: The fund is supporting the development of the Inishturk 2050 Masterplan, a community-led roadmap for resilience, sustainability and future growth. (Inishturk Island, Mayo)
- St. Farnan’s Community Park Association: Funding will support the installation of EV chargers and a bicycle shelter, to encourage greater use of electric vehicles and cycling for journeys to and from the centre. (Sligo)
- Down Syndrome Ireland: Funding will support a building refurbishment in Ennis to create a fully accessible community centre for people with Down Syndrome and their families. It will serve as a hub for health and support services, socialising and administrative functions. (Clare branch)
Solar PV installations
Helping community organisations reduce energy costs, generate renewable electricity and cut reliance on fossil fuels. Here are some more projects where solar panels were central:
- 2nd Cork Ballyphehane Scout Group: This project will see the installation of a new solar energy system to cut energy costs and promote sustainable choices. (Cork)
- Croí Clontuskert Community Development: Funding will help Croí Clontuskert move towards Net Zero with the installation of solar panels, a battery storage system, an EV charger and a water bottle refill station at its community hub. (Galway)
- Causeway and District Resource Centre: Installation of solar panels and EV chargers to reduce running costs and improve sustainability for the community’s development of a previously derelict dance hall building. (Kerry)
- Sonairte: Taking renewable energy generation to the next level, Sonairte’s funding will support the installation of a modern wind turbine. The turbine will generate renewable electrical power to meet energy needs and provide electricity to the local community through a community EV charging station. (Meath)
- Pobal Eascarrach: Following energy retrofit recommendations from an energy audit of the building by SSE Airtricity, funding was used to install a solar panel system on to the roof of the local community centre, as well as attic and cavity wall insulation. (Donegal)
- Cill Ulta: A 10kW battery will be installed to enhance the site's existing solar PV system, and a community outreach energy and environmental support officer will be appointed to help community and voluntary groups. (Donegal)
- Maghaberry Community Association: Maghaberry Community Association is Installing solar PV and battery storage system and a rainwater collection system in the garden. (Antrim)
- Ballyleague Hall: Completing solar PV installation and sustainability upgrades as part of its transition to a low-carbon community space. (Roscommon)
Circular economy and waste reduction
Helping communities reduce waste, extend the life of everyday items, making ‘reduce, reuse, repair and recycle’ the norm.
Projects include:
Áislann Rann na Feirste
‘Ciorcal’ is a circular economy and arts project. The group will collect recycled, pre-loved and broken materials that they'll learn how to repair, upcycle and transform into handcrafted products and artworks. Áislann Rann na Feirste will run monthly markets for the group to sell their creations, and a mid-project exhibition and final showcase to celebrate their work. This will promote creativity, sustainability and a shared ‘trash to treasure’ vision.
Location: Donegal
Change Clothes
This hub will promote circular fashion through a range of community initiatives, including: (1) a permanent clothing swap shop, (2) repair and upcycling workshops, (3) monthly Repair Cafés, (4) an affordable clothing repair service, (5) a scrap store, (6) free clothing provision for people accessing homeless services, (7) traineeships in mending and upcycling, and (8) the creation of products from reclaimed materials.
Location: Dublin
More community repair, reuse and redistribution projects
- Buíonn Port Láirge (Waterford Area Partnership): Waterford Area Partnership are developing a network of Repair Hubs that promote repair, reuse and intergenerational skills-sharing. (Waterford)
- Community Connect: Community Connect is focused on promoting the circular economy for baby clothing and equipment, such as buggies, cots, and highchairs. (Leinster)
- Shining Light Galway: Funding will help expand its food waste initiative, reducing waste while supporting people experiencing food insecurity. Shining Light will also deliver workshops to promote food waste reduction and sustainable consumption. (Galway)
- Trim Family Resource Centre: Trim Family Resource Centre will reduce food waste by redistributing surplus food and sharing simple recipe videos that help families make the most of nutritious ingredients (Meath)
- An Mheitheal Rothar: This project will teach children and young people the skills to maintain and repair their own bikes at a variety of levels, empower more young people to choose cycling as a practical, sustainable mode of transport. (Galway)
Discover more Generation Green Community Fund projects making a positive difference in communities across Ireland.
Download our complete list of projects