News

Minister Noonan launches Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme 2025

Date Released: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

  • Applications now open for Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme 2025
  • Up to 80% of project costs covered under the scheme
  • Grants of up to €40,000 available for Natura 2000 designated sites
  • Grants of up to €20,000 available for Non-Natura peatland sites

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has today (5th November) launched the 2025 Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme. Applications are now being accepted for community-led projects, with up to €600,000 in funding available.

The Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme aims to encourage local communities, organisations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to actively contribute to the conservation and restoration of Natura 2000 sites and peatland areas.

Applications are invited across a diverse range of initiatives with community benefit from events, education programmes, promotions, publications, exhibitions, development of conservation management plans, public amenity and recreational measures, maintenance measures that support  conservation measures, monitoring or surveying work to inform of restoration/conservation projects, invasive species and fire control measures, anti-littering initiatives to local environmental improvements in the area of the designated sites and other peatland areas.

Welcoming the launch, Minister Noonan said:

“I have been so impressed with the broad range of projects funded to date under the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme. Through collaboration and engagement with local communities we can take action and play a pivotal role to combat climate change and safeguard our most precious and endangered species and habitats for generations to come.”

NPWS Team at Clara Bog Nature Reserve
Pictured on the boardwalk at Clara Bog SAC announcing the 2025 scheme are, from left, Sharon Carroll, Aoife Greene, Noel Bulger, Killian Kirwan, Minister Malcolm Noonan, Alison Delaney, Colm Malone, Janine Quinn, Zarah Finn

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 Natura 2000 designated sites and up to €20,000 for Non-Natura 2000 peatland sites. Further details of the scheme are available on the National Parks and Wildlife Service Website.

Additional Information:

Details of the terms and conditions of the Scheme and the application form required to apply are available via the link below:

Closing date for submission of applications is 24th January 2025

Email: nature@npws.gov.ie
Tel: 053-9117618

Activities/projects funded under the scheme will be subject to adherence with all relevant statutory requirements.