Ireland is putting creativity at the centre of climate policy with a major new funding round that blends arts, community action and environmental change. In a fresh announcement on gov.ie, the government confirmed a €7.6 million investment under Creative Climate Action Fund III, backing 11 projects that will run from 2026 to 2029.
The new programme was announced by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan, and Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien. The initiative is supported by the Department of the Taoiseach, the climate department and EirGrid, and represents the biggest single allocation yet under the Creative Climate Action scheme.
Creative Climate Action funding targets community-led change
The Creative Climate Action fund will provide up to €750,000 to each successful project over four years. The aim is to use culture, design, storytelling and creative practice to help communities engage with climate challenges in practical and inclusive ways.
According to gov.ie, the 11 chosen initiatives include projects focused on food systems, peatland stewardship, supported housing, inclusive participation and cross-border collaboration. Two of the funded programmes fall under the Shared Island strand, reflecting growing cooperation across the island on climate issues.
- 11 projects selected nationwide
- Funding period: 2026 to 2029
- Maximum of €750,000 per project
- Supported by government departments and EirGrid
- Includes two Shared Island cross-border projects
Examples of funded projects
Among the standout projects are an island-wide people-centred design programme led by the Creative Futures Academy, a peatland stewardship initiative from An Taisce in the Sliabh Beagh region, and a food-focused Shared Island project led by The Mary Robinson Centre. Atlantic Technological University’s WAVE project will also explore inclusive climate action pathways for disabled voices and people in supported housing.
These projects show how Creative Climate Action is moving beyond awareness campaigns and into hands-on local engagement.
Read more: Ireland government funding news and public sector investment updates
How gov.ie climate funding connects culture, policy and public services
This latest announcement highlights how gov.ie is increasingly used to communicate major cross-department policy decisions, especially where Climate Action, Culture, Transport, Housing and Local Government interests overlap. While the Creative Climate Action programme is led through the culture portfolio, it also reflects broader national priorities involving Public Expenditure, community development and long-term sustainability.
The wider context is also important. Since 2021, the Creative Ireland Programme has invested €8.5 million in 57 projects through earlier rounds of the scheme. Separately, the Climate Action Fund has already supported more than 1,570 initiatives across Ireland, with over €250 million allocated to projects ranging from school solar panels to larger energy infrastructure.
This places the new investment within a wider state effort that often involves agencies and institutions familiar to the public, including the Department of the Taoiseach, Health Service Executive (HSE), Revenue Commissioners, CSO, Office of Public Works (OPW), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Transport Authority (NTA) and Enterprise Ireland in broader policy delivery across Ireland.
Explore more: Irish climate policy, government announcements and public service news
Why Creative Climate Action matters for Ireland
Ministers said the programme is designed to make climate action more accessible, local and people-focused. That matters because climate policy can often feel technical or distant. Creative Climate Action aims to translate complex environmental issues into community projects people can see, join and shape.
For readers following News and Govt Press Release updates, this is a significant development: it combines climate funding, arts policy and regional participation in one of the most ambitious public programmes of its kind in Ireland.
Key takeaway
The new Creative Climate Action investment shows how Ireland is using cultural innovation to support environmental goals at community level. As confirmed on gov.ie, the €7.6 million package will help 11 organisations turn climate ambition into local action, making Creative Climate Action a programme worth watching over the next four years.
FAQ:
- What is Creative Climate Action Fund III? It is a government-backed funding programme supporting creative and community-based climate projects from 2026 to 2029.
- How much funding was announced? The government announced €7.6 million in total.
- How many projects were selected? Eleven projects were chosen following an open call and evaluation process.
- Who supports the fund? The fund is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the Department of the Taoiseach and EirGrid.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
