Press release
€3.7 million of community support funding announced under the EU Just Transition Fund
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has announced the delivery of an additional funding call under the European Union's Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) programme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
Funding of up to €1 million is available for projects that build on the strengths of the local area, have an identified need, and create new job opportunities or increase the sustainability of existing jobs in the territory. Applicants need to demonstrate alignment with 'Local Economic and Community Plans' of their respective county.
Applications are being accepted until 30 September 2024.
Commenting on the launch of this call, Minister Ryan said:
"This call, under Ireland's EU Just Transition Fund Programme, represents a further opportunity for local economies to avail of funding that will assist the shift towards a carbon-neutral future. This funding will support the development of projects that contribute towards sustainable development in the Midland by creating employment opportunities and enhancing economic diversification".
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), stated:
"I am pleased to see the launch of this new, targeted call under the Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme. As Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) is committed to ensuring the ethos of 'no one is left behind' is maintained and that supports go where they are needed. This call will enable locally led projects in many of the areas most impacted by the green transition to deliver a robust, sustainable local economy and a vibrant future."
This is a new opportunity for project funding using resources previously unallocated under the Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme. This call is aimed at a subset of counties from within the EU Just Transition Territory, following an evidence-based analysis of impacts and funding distribution.
Projects operating in the following areas are eligible to apply under this fund: Laois, Offaly, Longford and the Municipal Districts of Ballinasloe (Co Galway), Athy and Clane-Maynooth, (Co Kildare).
This is the third funding call that provides direct supports to the implementation of Local and Regional Economic Strategies. The first call, launched in Autumn 2023 targeted local authorities and larger initiatives. 15 projects were selected under this round, for a total of €18 million.
A subsequent funding call, the Community and Enterprise Grants scheme, for local community organisations and small-to-medium sized enterprises, launched in early 2024, has recently awarded a total of nearly €3.8 million of grant funding across 15 sustainability-focused projects.
A wide range of locally defined projects are possible under this call, provided that there is alignment with the objectives of the EU Just Transition Fund and with the Local Economic and Community Plans. This includes:
Supported projects will align with local and regional economic strategies as well as the wider strategic goals of a green, smart and social territory that underpin this call.
This grant scheme also complements the EU JTF schemes that support the bioeconomy, regenerative tourism and electric vehicle charging.
Further information on how to apply for funding can be found on the Pobal website.
ENDS
Ireland's EU Just Transition Fund programme is targeted at the wider Midlands region as it transitions away from peat extraction for energy use. The designated EU JTF territory in Ireland is defined as the counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon and the Municipal Districts of Ballinasloe (Co Galway), Athy, Clane-Maynooth, (Co Kildare) and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co Tipperary).
For this call, funding unallocated from the Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme will assist areas and counties that were under allocated following previous calls. A Resource Allocation Model has been applied to identify the eligible counties from within this Territory. This is a data tool used as a guide to achieve geographic balance and check that funding distribution mirrors areas identified as being in most need. Aligning with the thematic areas identified by the Territorial Just Transition Plan, the Resource Allocation Model uses the following metrics:
Organisations that are eligible to apply for funding under this call of the Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme include:
The purpose of the EU Just Transition Fund (EUJTF), co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, is to assist the territories most affected by the transition to a climate-neutral economy. In Ireland, this focuses on the wider Midlands region, where there have been direct impacts from the move away from peat production and electricity generation from peat. Up to €169 million, using Exchequer and EU resources, will be available in the Fund to facilitate a just transition towards a low-carbon economy in the Midlands.
By providing opportunities for employment in the Territory, the EU JTF can help to create an inclusive, attractive, healthy and sustainable place to live, work and visit.
The programme priorities of the EU JTF are as follows:
1. Generating employment for communities formerly reliant on peat production by investing in the diversification of the local economy.
2. Supporting the restoration, regeneration and repurposing of peatlands and related land.
3. Providing former peat communities with smart and sustainable mobility options to enable them to benefit directly from the green transition.
The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) are the Managing Authority for Ireland's EU Just Transition Fund Programme. Further information, including programme documentation, and links to information about open and future funding calls, is available on the EMRA website.