Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has announced the 2014 Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund.

This fund, which has operated since 1997, supports local environmental initiatives by communities, individuals and not-for-profit groups. The Minister has allocated funding of €400,000 to this year’s scheme, maintaining funding at 2013 levels.

Launching the scheme Minister Hogan said: "I am delighted to announce today the launch of the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund for 2014. Funding provided under this scheme supports local projects to improve the environment and make our communities more sustainable. The fund shows how local initiatives can make a real difference in our communities, and showcases how small changes can make lasting improvements in our environment. Together with the local authorities my Department supported 669 projects under this scheme in 2013."

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The Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small scale, non-profit environmental projects at local level. Funding provided by the Department is matched by the local authorities, and projects also attract funding from other sources.

Eligible projects are those that will support and complement, at a local level, national environmental policies such as those on Waste, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Air, Water and Sustainable Development. A wide variety of projects and schemes have been supported under the Fund in previous years including, community gardens, allotments and compost schemes, rainwater harvesting schemes, educational initiatives and environmental exhibitions.

(CD/MH)