News
€500,000 in funding for Community-Led Peatland Projects
Date Released: Monday, March 27, 2023
- Applications now open for Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme 2023
- Up to 80% of project costs covered under the scheme
- Grants of up to €40,000 available for designated sites
- Grants of up to €20,000 available for undesignated peatland or fen sites
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, today announced that a fund of up to €500,000 is now open for applications, to support community-led projects as part of the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme 2023.
As the largest store of carbon in the Irish landscape, peatlands have a critically important part to play in Ireland's efforts to combat climate change. Peatland restoration also brings significant additional benefits, such as enriched biodiversity, increased natural capital, and improved water quality and flood attenuation.
The Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme is designed to encourage local peatland communities, groups, schools and other interested parties to play a part in the conservation and revitalisation of raised and blanket bogs – particularly protected bogs and fens – and to promote public engagement with and awareness of our natural heritage and environment.
Applications are welcomed across a diverse range of peatland initiatives that offer a community benefit, including events, education programmes, conservation management plans, restoration measures, feasibility studies, public amenity and recreational projects, plans to deal with invasive species, and fire control measures.
Speaking today, Minister Noonan said:
“Communities are at the heart of Ireland’s response to the biodiversity crisis and this €500,000 grant scheme is just one of the ways that we’re supporting local groups to take action in their own local area that can deliver very real benefits. Dedicated to the protection, restoration and public enjoyment of Ireland’s amazing peatlands, the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme supports a wide range of projects from ecological surveys, boardwalks, trails and bird boxes, to education and awareness-raising initiatives. I’d like to encourage everyone who cares about their raised bogs, blanket bogs and fens to consider applying.”
Some of the projects that have previously received funding under the scheme include:
- Cloghan Development Association, Co. Offaly, to create a 10km track to enhance recreational and leisure facilities with plans for the Lough Boora Group to use the new track to allow the local community to make use of boglands in a controlled and respectful way.
- River Blackwater Catchment Trust, Co. Monaghan, to support the removal of approximately 60 hectares of self-seeding conifers and rhododendron.
Successful applicants for this year’s assistance will be awarded funding to support a maximum of 80% of the project's eligible costs, with a maximum grant of €40,000 for designated sites and up to €20,000 for undesignated peatland or fen sites. Further details of the scheme are available at www.npws.ie.
Closing date for submission of applications is Friday, 5th May 2023
Further details are available by contacting:
Peatland Community Engagement Scheme
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Newtown Road,
Wexford.
Y35 AP90
Email: pcengagementscheme@npws.gov.ie
Tel: 053-9117618
Activities/projects funded under the scheme will be subject to adherence with all relevant statutory requirements.
