12 Mayo groups secure major support

Twelve Mayo groups are receiving supports for local climate and nature projects from a special Philanthropic Sustainability Fund established for the county.

The local groups will receive grants to provide leadership on climate change, biodiversity protection and to identify steps to build a sustainable future for their communities.

This is the first round of grants from the Mayo Sustainability Fund established in a partnership between Community Foundation Ireland and the Sunflower Charitable Foundation. The approach of the fund is informed through consultations with community groups and a 2023 scoping study by experts from University College Dublin.

Each grant is aimed at responding to challenges identified in both the consultations as well as the study including access to flexible and long-term funding, gaps in support for work such as networking, peer learning and community engagement. The total funding is €628,000.

Opened as a pilot the pioneering fund attracted significant interest from across the county. The 12 successful projects are:

Belleek Woods Enhance Committee for work on wetland ponds to reduce agricultural runoff to a Special Conservation Area (SAC) in Belleek Woods.

Edible Landscape Project will create a chain of food forests along Clew Bay working with community groups.

Leave no Trace will expand the Croagh Patrick ambassadors’ programme protecting this precious 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.

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group will develop and run a training programme to rescue regularly beached dolphins in Blacksod Bay.

CALL Climate Action Louisburgh Locality will hire a biodiversity officer in Louisburg to work alongside Mayo County Council’s biodiversity officer, to implement a local Biodiversity Action Plan, work with farmers to improve the waterway leading to the special conservation area Roonagh Lagoon, begin a tree nursery, and engage with community members.

One Westport for All will hire a new staff member at One Westport to coordinate efforts among 15+ climate-focused groups in Westport.

Mulranny Community Futures will coordinate a project to build climate resilience across 10 communities building on existing structures like Decarbonisation Zones, Sustainable Energy Communities, and the People’s Transition.

Mayo Dark Skies will work to achieve international Dark Sky status by partnering with climate and nature organisations, lighting professionals, urban planning professionals, and government.

Inishturk Community Club & Clare Island Development Company’s Coastal Resilience Partnership will research and address coastal erosion on Inishturk and Clare Islands.

Comhar Chumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach Teo will continue its work to secure UNESCO Geopark status for Joyce Country and Western Lakes region.

Accelerating Change Together will offer a design-thinking, capacity-building project to improve fundraising and strategic thinking among sustainability groups in Mayo.

Announcing the grants, Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said:

“A sense of place is central to Irish Philanthropy. We see that across all our work as a philanthropic hub focussed on a mission of Equality For All in Thriving Communities. That sense of belonging and place is incredibly strong in Mayo and can be seen in the incredible support provided for this County Fund. We wish every success to the grantees and look forward to receiving updates on their work.” 

Samantha Briody, Chief Executive of the Sunflower Charitable Foundation added:

“Sunflower Charitable Foundation is very proud to support the Mayo Sustainability Fund and congratulations to the organisations selected as grantees. This fund reflects our commitment to environmental sustainability, community resilience, and collaborative philanthropy. By pooling resources with like-minded donors, we’re able to drive even greater impact and support innovative, locally rooted solutions to climate challenges. Mayo holds a special place in our hearts, and we hope that this initiative will provide a funding model that can be replicated across all counties in Ireland to empower every community.”