SSE Airtricity announces 56 sustainability projects to be fully funded by €5m Generation Green Community Fund

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SSE Airtricity announces 56 sustainability projects to be fully funded by €5m Generation Green Community Fund 

  • - 56 diverse, community-led sustainability projects across Ireland to be fully funded 
  • - Projects from Cork to Donegal, Dublin City, and four island communities 
  • - Initiatives could reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions by 2,500 tonnes annually 
  • - Almost €1m awarded to green infrastructure and energy upgrade projects  
  • - Green skills and employability programmes awarded almost €400,000 
  • - More than €800,000 awarded to STEM, green curriculum and schools initiatives  
  • - 250,000 people across Ireland will benefit from funded projects 

SSE Airtricity has today announced funding awarded to 56 projects from across the island of Ireland through its €5m Generation Green Community Fund. The projects - spanning the length and breadth of Ireland including four island communities – will now be fully funded by SSE Airtricity’s discretionary fund.   

The Generation Green Community Fund reflects SSE Airtricity’s long-term commitment to supporting the communities it serves, with a focus on enabling meaningful environmental and social change. The fund was developed following extensive engagement with community groups across Ireland, who helped shape its priorities around education, biodiversity, infrastructure, and climate adaptation.  

 The funded initiatives span a wide range of focus areas including renewable energy upgrades, biodiversity restoration, climate resilience planning, and sustainability education - and were selected for their innovation, local impact, and alignment with Ireland’s climate goals. Sustainability education and STEM initiatives have been awarded over €800,000. Almost €1m has been awarded to green infrastructure and energy upgrade projects, with over a quarter of a million people across Ireland to benefit from the full range of initiatives.  

Supporting Ireland’s climate targets 

Funding applications have been administered in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a view to supporting Ireland’s climate targets. On completion, the 56 projects have the potential to reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions by 2,500 tonnes annually supporting government’s 2030 targets.  

The SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund will help embed lasting habits and environmental awareness across communities. Community buildings and facilities will receive energy-efficient upgrades in order to cut energy use by up to 40%. Eco-friendly transport options will reduce car journeys and lower emissions, while community projects will divert 500 tonnes of waste from landfill each year. In addition, more than 45,000 people will benefit from improved sustainability education through the fund. 

Change Clothes community-led textile reuse hub 

Among the projects to receive funding through the fund is Change Clothes, a circular fashion hub based in Dublin 8, which has been awarded funding to expand its community-led textile reuse initiative. The new hub will offer a permanent clothing swap shop, regular repair workshops and cafés, affordable mending services, and a referral-based free-store supporting people experiencing homelessness. With a focus on creativity, inclusivity, and skills development, the project will also deliver upcycling traineeships and sustainable product creation, helping to embed circular economy practices at a local level. 

Announcing the funding allocations, Stephen Gallagher, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity, said: “I’m delighted that the SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund is supporting such a wide range of ambitious, community-led sustainability projects. Achieving net zero is a shared responsibility, and these initiatives show how vital local leadership is in Ireland’s green energy transition.  

We have listened to the needs of our communities, and they’ve told us what matters most - from improving biodiversity to enhancing local infrastructure and education. We understand the challenges many projects and groups face in accessing funding resources, and we’re proud to play a part in enabling them to create lasting environmental and social impact.” 

Welcoming the funding announcement, Mary Fleming, Founder of Change Clothes said: “Thanks to SSE Airtricity’s support, Change Clothes is moving into a much-needed larger premises, allowing us to significantly expand our clothing swap, education, and production services. This funding will enable up to 10 long-term unemployed people to take part in paid traineeships while helping us divert an estimated 200 tonnes of clothing from landfill over the next year. It’s a huge step forward in showing how local climate action can also create real social and economic opportunity.” 

Getting to net zero is in everyone’s interest and local communities will be at the heart of the energy transition. That’s why the SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund is supporting a wide range of groups and supporting their vision.

SSE Airtricity announces 56 sustainability projects to be fully funded by €5m Generation Green Community Fund