€10k awarded to Louth based community project by Energia Group Greener Possibilities Fund
Louth and Meath community project - Autism Support Louth & Meath
Energia Group has announced that Autism Support Louth & Meath, a Louth based community project will receive €10,000 as part of the Energia Group Greener Possibilities Fund.
Autism Support Louth & Meath is a parent led support group for families of both children and adults affected by Autism. Their project is the planting of a large biodiverse green belt around a sensory garden for neurodiverse children.
The project is one of eleven from across the island of Ireland that will be awarded €10,000 each by the fund, representing a total award of €110,000. Administered by The Community Foundation for Ireland, the Energia Group Greener Possibilities Fund aims to support projects with a connection to SDG 13, “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.”
Successful applicants were required to propose a project that was related to the climate crisis, climate resilience or biodiversity protection. Applicants who support groups affected by the impacts of climate change, groups involved in climate action or organisations hoping to build a stronger sustainability focus into their existing work were considered as part of the closed fund administered by Community Foundation Ireland.
Commenting on the Greener Possibilities fund and successful project, Gary Ryan, MD Energia Customer Solutions stated; “At Energia Group, we are delighted to support these deserving climate action projects through our first Greener Possibilities fund. We are firmly committed to promoting climate action and have aligned our responsible business activities to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
"The Greener Possibilities fund is aligned to SDG 13, Climate Action and it demonstrates our continued support for the communities in which we operate. We have a long-standing record of working in collaboration with community groups such as Autism Support Louth & Meath, to enhance local areas and to benefit local people. We are confident that the continued proactive and innovative action of communities will help Ireland achieve its climate action targets”.
Speaking about their project Jacinta Walsh from Autism Support Louth & Meath said, “Autism Support Louth and Meath were delighted to receive funding from the Greener Possibilities fund which will enable us to further develop our Biodiverse Sensory Garden.
"This space is proving invaluable to the Autistic children, teenagers and young adults who come to our activities. It is great to get the opportunity to further expand and develop the garden. We will be involving our neurodiverse members in the planning and activities and incorporating their feedback and suggestions into the works.”
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said: “Climate action only works when everyone plays their part. This is why we promote a partnership approach led by communities. We are delighted that Energia Group is bringing this focus to its work.
"The Greener Possibilities Fund recognises the positive efforts to reverse the impact of climate change which are taking place on the ground right across the country. The support being provided will make a big difference not just in terms of awareness raising but also in helping Ireland secure its goals – that’s good news for our communities, our country and our planet.”