More than €25,000 funding for 34 environmental projects in Clare has been announced by Fine Gael TD Joe Carey.

The money, allocated under the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund, is to support local environmental initiatives by communities, individuals and not-for-profit groups.

Deputy Carey said the funding has been drawn by Clare County Council which they will match, bringing the total LA21 project funding to €50,600.

“The fund shows how local initiatives can make a real difference in our communities, and showcases how small changes can make lasting improvements to our environment.

“It supports small scale non-profit environmental projects such as allotments, community gardens, compost schemes, rainwater harvesting schemes, educational initiatives and environmental exhibitions.

“Ireland faces a once in a generation opportunity to shape the long-term direction of Irish environmental policy that will chart the course towards our low carbon future.

“We want Ireland to be recognised as one of the cleanest and safest environments in the world. To achieve this, all State bodies need to engage positively with local communities to manage the transition to a low carbon future,” Deputy Carey said.

The Clare projects that qualified for funding were:

Ennis Tidy Towns biodiversity enhancements and awareness raising at Tim Smythe Park (€1,500);

School/community garden at St Finnachtas National School Sixmilebridge (€700);

Gort Leamhan Residents Association biodiversity awareness project (€600)

Iniscarragh Green community action plan (€500);

Burrenbeo Trust Burren Winterage weekend (€500);

Clare Haven Horizons Upcycling project (€700);

Lorraine Power empowering Tidy Towns groups to deliver more sustainable communities (€1000); 

Clare Agricultural Show Society pop-up garden community challenge (€600);

Corofin Tidy Towns village enhancement (€700);

Banner beekeepers apiary and pollinator education project (€1,000);

Clare Agricultural Show Society Seed and Garden Share (€500);

Become a ‘Leave no Trace’ champion for Clare (€800);

Green Travel and Fifty Shades Greener Developing Green Destinations in Clare (€1,500);

Pure Camping reusable drinking water bottles promotion (€500);

Ballynacally Tidy Towns Japanese Knotweed eradication and education programme (€1,000);

Kilkishen Development company’s map board for Kilkishen bog walk (€700);

Annette McNelis ‘Love where you Live’ fun musical exercises (€620);

Robin Barry ‘Be Wise’ education project (€400);

Clarecastle Tidy Towns looped walk and biodiversity project (€700);

Shannon Wetland Restoration project (€1,000);

The Woodland League’s ‘Forest in a Box’ schools education project (€1,200);

Boston Community Childcare ‘Protecting our lake and groundwater’ project (€700);

Scoil Mhuire Ruan school grounds/garden initiative (€400); 

Gort na Blath Residents Association sustainable estate management (€500);

Burrenbeo conservation works in the Burren (€280);

Irish Seedsavers Association Seed Share Sunday (€500);

Irish Seedsavers Association Great Irish Garden Event (€400);

Irish Seedsavers Association Pollenation Awareness workshops for primary schools (€700);

Irish Seedsavers Association Tidy Towns Biodiversity and Pollinator workshops (€1,000);

Scariff Community Council creation and maintenance of a wildflower meadow (€700);

Sustainable Ireland Cooperative Society  capacity building for local projects (€1,100);

Lisdoonvarna Tidy Towns sustainable community plan (€1,500);

Lisdoonvarna Tidy Towns ‘Get Lisdoonvarna growing sustainably’ project (€400);

Lisdoonvarna Tidy Towns ‘Plastic never goes away’ awareness project (€400).