52 groups in Galway city and county will benefit from €57,960 in funding for their environmental projects this year.
Of those, 30 projects in Galway county will receive €36,110 and the remaining €21,850 is for 22 projects in the city which qualified for funding.
The money comes from the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund, which supports small scale environmental projects at a local level.
Minister for Climate Action and Galway-Roscommon TD Denis Naughten announced the funding which comes from his department.
“This is an important funding announcement for communities across Roscommon-Galway that work tirelessly on keeping our environment clean and protected.”
“The Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund makes a real difference in our communities and showcases how small changes can make lasting improvements to our environment.”
Since 1997 the Environmental Partnership Fund has been promoting sustainable development by working with local councils as well as community groups, schools and environmental NGOs.
“The funding will support a wide variety of projects such as community gardens, allotments, compost schemes, rainwater harvesting schemes, educational initiatives and environmental exhibitions,” concluded Minister Naughten.
Some of the projects in Galway funded under the Environmental Partnership Fund include €1,100 for Galway Atlantaquaria to educate people about the dolphins in Galway Bay.
The Irish Wheelchair Association has been granted €1,750 to create a garden for people with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities.
And Ballygar Community Playschool will receive €1,600 for a natural outdoor play area for the playschool and Afterschool.
The Partnership Fund works on a matched funding basis, with the department providing half of the money announced this week, and an equal commitment coming from Galway city and county councils.
In total, Minister Naughten announced €460,000 in funding for 880 projects around Ireland this year, nearly 50 more than qualified last year.
The projects and grants are administered by the local council, all of the projects that receive funding must be completed in full by April 19, 2019.
