Working together to create a climate resilient, biodiverse rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy that supports healthy lifestyles and jobs growth
Administered by Meath County Council on behalf of Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the overall aim of the CCAP Strand 1 Programme is to provide finance to community groups interested in undertaking projects which help to build low carbon, sustainable communities.
Together, we are making strides towards a more sustainable future. Stay tuned for updates on these exciting projects and the positive changes they will bring to our communities!
If you have any queries regarding the Community Climate Action Programme, please contact your Community Climate Action Officer at 046 909 7095 or climateactionmcc@meathcoco.ie
Further information available at gov - Climate Action Fund (www.gov.ie)
Hear from some of our successful applicants from Phase 1 funding.
The Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) is an initiative of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide support to community groups interested in undertaking projects which help to build low carbon, sustainable communities to contribute to national climate and energy targets. €811,000 has been allocated to Meath and will be administered locally by Meath County Council
Eligible Community Organisations are those that are:
There are 3 project scales available, with different funding available for each. These are:
Successful applicants will receive 100% funding
Communities are encouraged to take local actions under the following themes:
Below are some examples of eligible projects:
Community and Energy
Travel
Food and Waste
Shopping and Recycling
Local Climate and Environmental Action
Projects must have the capacity to be completed within 18 months from the agreed project start date but may be completed earlier than the 18-month timeframe. No claims can be made for works carried out prior to the project start date. All required documentation must be returned before commencement of the project.
The Community Climate Action Fund will not formally fund activities involving:
This list is not exhaustive.
All costs included for this grant must:
Partnership is permitted, but they must be in the jurisdiction of the Meath County Council. No duplication is allowed; this would not allow community groups to multiply their funding. There would have to be a lead partner identified.
Pre-funding (pre-paying up to a maximum of 25% of the approved allocation per quarter) can be provided to community groups in very limited circumstances and on a case-by-case basis. It will only be considered where a clear need has been identified and is evidenced by the Meath County Council. Community groups will be required to complete a pre-funding application form and submit same with their application if pre-funding is required. The pre-funding payment of 25% must be fully spent before the next request for payment can be made.
The interest would not be eligible for Community Climate Action Programme expenditure. Payment must be made up of proof of eligible expenditure in relation to the project, not for servicing a loan.
Successful community groups will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Meath County Council (April 2026-October 2027). The Memorandum of Understanding will set out:
Community Groups who are successful in receiving funding should be aware that their submitted proposal is subject to alteration by either the Minister, Department of Climate, Energy and Environment and/or by Meath County Council.
Any changes requested to projects will require Departmental approval and a ‘change control procedure’ to be followed. Proposed changes to the portfolio of projects must be cost neutral and project timelines cannot be changed such that any project would run for longer than 18 months, for example, may not result in additional costs to the total Portfolio of projects being administered by Meath County Council and no additional funding can be requested as a result of a proposed Portfolio change. However, individual project cost changes can be considered insofar as they do not affect the overall Portfolio costs. Costs associated with individual projects that fail to complete cannot be reallocated. The Minister reserves the right to reject the Change Control Notice or request amendments to it.
It is the community groups responsibility to ensure that they achieve value for money and accountability in any procurement that they carry out. Evidence of procurement should be retained, and it is important that all documentation is held for the purpose of records. It is necessary to seek a minimum of 5 quotes in respect of the procurement of goods and services.
Applications will be assessed inter alia on the following criteria. The maximum overall score is 100. Applications scoring 50% or above, and that meet the minimum score required under selected criteria as set out below, will be considered for a project partnership with the Meath County Council.
| Selection Criterion | Weighting | Minimum Required | Basis for Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relevance and Impact | 30% | 15% | The project meets the objective of strand 1 to shape and build a low carbon community and can clearly demonstrate the impact of the project in contributing to Ireland’s climate and energy targets. |
| Innovation and scalability | 20% | - | The project contains practical innovation/(s) and/or approaches. It has the potential to be scaled up or replicated in other communities’ post funding. The project has a lasting impact. |
| Value for money | 20% | 20% | The costs applied for are reasonable, represent an efficient use of resources and are commensurate with the quality and nature of the activities proposed. Realistic, specific and relevant outputs and outcomes are identified, which are commensurate with the level of investment. |
| Achievability | 10% | 5% | The organisation/partnership has the appropriate expertise to deliver the proposed project. The proposal is clear and coherent and is deliverable within the timeframe. Key milestones are specified with an explanation of how these will be monitored. |
| Partnership approach | 10% | - | Any Partner/Consortium roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined with partnership agreements in place (where applicable). The proposal demonstrates how all key stakeholders will be involved in the planning and implementation of the proposal. |
| Governance arrangements | 10% | 5% | Any necessary governance and financial management systems, controls and processes are in place to meet the requirements of the programme. Where applicable, evidence of tax compliance and registration with relevant bodies is supplied. Details of track record in managing other state funding is supplied. |
| 100% |
Following evaluation, MCC will then decide the final selection of projects taking account of the desirability to fund a variety of different projects and across multiple themes, the geographical distribution of projects and the contribution of the projects to the climate action objectives of Meath County Council.
A portfolio of projects will then be forwarded to the Minister of Climate, Energy and the Environment, who will give final approval and decision on any specific conditions of funding.
The Department will have a grant agreement with each Local Authority who will be responsible for administering the fund to relevant, eligible projects in communities. The community groups will make payments in relation to their project and provide vouched expenditure drawdown requests to the LA. The LA will pay the community group directly once they are satisfied that the payment has the required documentation and submit a quarterly drawdown request to the Department seeking payment of these vouched expenditure claims.
The component would have to be assessed individually and stand up on its own merits, exclusive of the alternate funding, against the eligibility criteria, objectives, and themes of the programme. It must also be noted that there cannot be a duplication of funds. It must be clearly demonstrated that the individual component(s) can be advanced in fulfilment of the objectives of the Community Climate Action Programme without being subject to or compromised by the delivery of the larger project.
Yes, provided it would not result in duplicate funding.
No, schools cannot apply under strand 1.
Where a project will be delivered from a site/building(s)/floor space that are not in the ownership of the Local Authority, it must be in the ownership of the partner organisation of the Local Authority or either party must have a minimum five years lease or agreement in place from date of project completion, making it available to the community.
No, renting/leasing is not an eligible expense. The Community Climate Action Programme is not intended to be a startup fund. Any space should be made available to the public for at least five years.
It could not be the entirety of the project; the Department would require there be a minimum of a 5 year lease on the land. The project would have to demonstrate how it meets the objective and criteria of the CCAP. Purchase or lease of land alone could not do this.
Yes, so long as the objectives of the programme are being met, though the applicant would need to demonstrate how the income from that by-product will be reinvested in the community group/project. The exchange must be reasonable and not excessive and a natural/necessary by-product of the project. Care should be taken to apply the De Minimis rule if the project appears to involve state aid.
No, funding is only available for costs incurred after project selection.
The cost should be inclusive of VAT. However, some groups may be able to reclaim VAT. These groups should submit expenses exclusive of VAT. The application form has a question asking groups to declare if they can reclaim VAT.
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