The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group among 12 projects to benefit from Mayo Sustainability Fund
The first round of grants from the Mayo Sustainability Fund has been announced, and 12 projects across the county will benefit.
The fund was established in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland and the Sunflower Charitable Organisation after a study led by University College Dublin found that Mayo had a strong network of groups working on sustainability projects that could benefit from funding.
Minister Dara Calleary announced that €628,000 in funding would be split across 12 initiatives that are all aiming to benefit the local climate and support nature in various ways.
The Belleek Woods Enhancement Committee - for their work on wetland ponds, which will reduce agricultural runoff to a Special Conservation Area in the woodland.
The Food Forest Project - to help the expansion of their network of Food Forests along Clew Bay. Food Forests are already in action in Westport. The group focuses on community, collaboration, and education.
Leave no Trace – which will expand the Croagh Patrick ambassadors’ programme to help protect the popular landscape from the impact of increasing tourism.
BirdWatch Ireland - will develop and implement a management plan for conserving endangered bird species in Annagh Marshes and Termoncarragh Meadows.
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group - to help them develop and run training and educational programmes to help rescue regularly beached dolphins in Blacksod Bay.
CALL: Climate Action Louisburgh Locality – who will hire a biodiversity officer in Louisburgh to work alongside Mayo County Council’s biodiversity officer. They will implement a Biodiversity Action Plan that will; work with farmers to improve the waterway leading to the special conservation area Roonagh Lagoon, plant a tree nursery, and engage with community members.
One Westport for All - to hire a new staff member who will coordinate efforts among 15+ climate-focused groups in Westport.
Mulranny Community Futures – which will coordinate a project to build climate resilience across ten communities. This will build on existing structures such as the Decarbonisation Zone, Sustainable Energy Communities, and the People’s Transition.
Mayo Dark Skies - to help their work in achieving international Dark Sky Status, through partnering with climate and nature organisations, lighting professionals, urban planning professionals and the government.
Inishturk Community Club and Clare Island Development Company’s Coastal Resilience Partnership - for further research to help address coastal erosion on Inishturk and Clare Island.
Comhar Chumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach Teo - to help continue its work in securing UNESCO Geopark Status for Joyce Country and the Western Lakes region.
Accelerating Change Together - which aims to offer a design-thinking, capacity-building project to improve fundraising and strategic thinking among sustainability groups in Mayo.
From enhancing biodiversity and tackling coastal erosion, to expanding climate action networks and promoting eco-tourism, these projects aim to have a positive impact on both the local environment and the communities of Mayo.
The UCD study revealed that many of these groups in Mayo faced significant challenges in securing funding, covering everyday running costs, expanding projects, and engaging with the local community.
The Mayo Sustainability Fund addresses these issues by providing financial support and allowing the 12 initiatives to grow and further engage with the community.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.