Time to nominate your grass roots climate action project for an award in Laois

The Climate Action Award is a brand-new category to the Community and Voluntary Awards for 2023 and is sponsored by the Climate Action Section of Laois County Council.

This Award recognises communities carrying out awareness initiatives and/or actions that make a positive contribution against climate change.

The Council says climate actions can encourage your community to improve the impact of their everyday choices, support local communities and foster a sustainable approach to protecting the environment.

Types of initiatives that may be eligible are outlined below and communities can choose from one or more of these to put forward for award.

• Raise awareness within the community of actions they can take to combat climate change.

  Enhance your community’s links and co-operation with initiatives such as the Climate Ambassadors or other approaches to tackling climate change.

• Local environmental awareness activities, planting community orchards or community garden projects.
• Support the sustainable use of local resources and a considered approach to protecting the environment - for example, innovative waste management activities and shopping local supports.
• Show how working together with the wider community has influenced behaviour change to more environmentally sustainable practices.

Laois PPN's Resource Worker is Dan Bergin.

“The Climate Action Award is very special to Laois PPN as every year we set out a theme for the year and the theme for this year is our Climate Action Project 2023. The Climate Action Project 2023 aims to share knowledge, educate, and inspire Climate Action in our Community. This is a yearlong calendar of events that will support Community Groups in Laois and raise awareness about positive Climate Action initiatives. There are amazing Groups across Laois that are doing fantastic work on Climate Action that are having a positive effect on Communities across the County.

“Laois PPN in collaboration with our long-term partners Laois County Council invites nominations for the new Climate Action Award,” he said.

Karen Moore is the Community Climate Officer for Laois.

“Celebrating the communities carrying out climate actions in Laois is a fantastic extension of the Community & Voluntary Awards.

"The climate crisis we face is impacting many different aspects of our lives both locally and globally. Communities leading the way in changes needed for a cleaner and more equal world are increasingly recognised as an integral part of the solution to the climate crisis.

“The Climate Action Award recognises the important role communities can have in achieving our climate action ambitions, ensuring the community continues to thrive and also improving people’s quality of life,” she concluded.

There are four ways to nominate by 4pm on August 4.

1. To submit a nomination, complete the online forms at www.laois.ie or on https://consult.laois.ie

2. Log onto the Consultation Portal https://consult.laois.ie

3. Download the nomination form from www.laois.ie/departments/community/community-voluntary-awards-2023/and email completed form to: [email protected] or post hardcopy to Community Section, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise

4: Hardcopy nomination forms are available from the Community Section, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise- tel no. 057 86 64236.

Laois County Council is partnered in the Awards by Laois PPN with sponsors by People First Credit Union, Laois Volunteer Centre.

The categories for 2023 are: Arts, Culture &Heritage; Sports; Best Kept Residential Area; Social Inclusion; Health and Well Being; Climate change; Unsung Hero; Junior Volunteer of the YearThe Leinster Express is Media Partner.