Local sustainability initiatives across Ireland are receiving a major boost thanks to SSE Airtricity’s Generation Green Community Fund, which has announced full funding for 56 projects aimed at supporting environmental and social change at community level.
The €5 million discretionary fund was shaped through direct engagement with community groups nationwide, with a focus on four key areas: education, biodiversity, infrastructure, and climate adaptation.
Now, projects from Cork to Donegal, Dublin to Inishturk Island, will benefit with initiatives ranging from renewable energy upgrades and biodiversity restoration to circular economy projects and sustainability education. In total, more than 250,000 people are expected to directly benefit from the funded projects, which together could reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions by up to 2,500 tonnes per year.
Over €600,000 has been awarded to nine initiatives across Dublin, which will support STEM and climate education, green curriculum and school funding, community engagement, green skills and employability, and circular economy and waste reduction:
1. Citywise Education
2. Powerstown Educate Together National School
3. Liffey Area Partnership
4. Bohemian Football Club
5. Change Clothes
6. ACT – Accelerating Change Together CLG
7. Community Connect CLG
8. Irish Schools Sustainability Network
9. Teen-Turn
Driving Green Innovation and Climate Action
Sustainability education and STEM initiatives will receive more than €800,000 in funding, while almost €1 million has been allocated to green infrastructure and energy upgrade projects. Funding decisions have been aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure that all supported initiatives deliver long-term value and climate impact.
The projects will support Ireland’s 2030 climate targets, with benefits that include reducing energy use in some community buildings by up to 40 percent, lowering emissions through improved transport options, and diverting up to 500 tonnes of waste from landfill annually. More than 45,000 people will directly benefit from sustainability-focused education programmes alone.
Among the notable Dublin initiatives is Change Clothes, a circular fashion hub based in Dublin 8. With support from SSE Airtricity’s fund, the community-led project will expand its clothing reuse operations through a permanent swap shop, regular repair cafés, affordable mending services, and a referral-based free-store for people experiencing homelessness. It will also deliver paid upcycling traineeships to help long-term unemployed people gain green skills.
Supporting Local Leadership in the Transition to Net Zero
Announcing the allocations, Stephen Gallagher, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity, said: “I’m delighted that the SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund is supporting such a wide range of ambitious, community-led sustainability projects. Achieving net zero is a shared responsibility, and these initiatives show how vital local leadership is in Ireland’s green energy transition.
“We have listened to the needs of our communities, and they’ve told us what matters most — from improving biodiversity to enhancing local infrastructure and education. We understand the challenges many projects and groups face in accessing funding resources, and we’re proud to play a part in enabling them to create lasting environmental and social impact.”
Welcoming the funding, Mary Fleming, Founder of Change Clothes, added: “Thanks to SSE Airtricity’s support, Change Clothes is moving into a much-needed larger premises, allowing us to significantly expand our clothing swap, education, and production services. This funding will enable up to 10 long-term unemployed people to take part in paid traineeships while helping us divert an estimated 200 tonnes of clothing from landfill over the next year. It’s a huge step forward in showing how local climate action can also create real social and economic opportunity.”
Another notable project among the Dublin-based recipients is Bohemian Football Club, which will use the funding to develop a Green Trade Ready Pre-Apprenticeship Programme tailored to the needs of its youth academy players. The club will also expand its Spark Skills community education programme to include new modules on wind energy and green building. In addition, Bohemian FC will enhance its educational facilities to deliver both programmes and coordinate volunteer-led Care and Repair teams, supporting local communities in Phibsborough and North Dublin to tackle energy poverty and improve energy efficiency.
Seán McCabe, Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability, Bohemian Football Club welcomed the funding, saying: “Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm that the club has secured funding from the SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund for a new project that puts our young players first. The core aim of the Bohemian FC academy is to facilitate the development of young footballers and to provide a pathway to bring as many through to the first-team set-up and beyond, as possible. But Bohemian FC also recognises the importance of providing pathways and options in life for those who do not go on to our first team, and this exciting new project will do just that.
“The club is setting up a Green Trade Ready Pre-Apprenticeship Programme, designed around young players’ lives and schedules, which will give them the skills they require to take up apprenticeships in fields like renewable energy and green construction - industries that badly need workers and offer solid careers. We will also be helping our players to find apprenticeships. The funding will also allow us to expand our Spark Skills programme, which many of you will know already offers practical community classes in areas such as solar power, bike repair, and energy efficiency. Over 140 people have already completed our eight-week programme and now we'll be able to add wind energy and green building to that mix. We are also launching Care and Repair Teams - volunteers trained through Spark Skills who will help members of the community with basic home energy fixes that save on bills. This is about backing our own and doing something useful - something that really matters - for our young players, our members, and our community.”
A Community-First Approach to Sustainability
From climate resilience planning to STEM learning and biodiversity enhancement, the Generation Green Community Fund is helping to embed sustainability at the heart of communities. It is part of SSE Airtricity’s wider ambition to support Ireland’s journey to net zero by empowering local groups to take action, build resilience, and unlock opportunity.
As communities continue to lead the way in environmental innovation, SSE Airtricity’s commitment to funding and supporting their efforts is helping to ensure that the transition to a low-carbon future is both inclusive and impactful.
For more information about the SSE Airtricity Generation Freen Community Fund and to see the full list of projects awarded funding, visit sseairtricity.com/communityfund