Minister Darragh O’Brien has confirmed the selection of 33 local authority-led projects across the Midlands under Ireland’s EU Just Transition Fund Programme. Subject to grant agreements being finalised, the initiatives will share over €36 million to advance priority measures in Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LA CAPs) and bolster social and environmental resilience.

The projects were chosen via a competitive call under the Supporting a Sustainable Transition through Climate Action for a Resilient Territory (START) scheme, administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. START is co-funded by the Government and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund and focuses on actions within the EU Just Transition Territory.

The approved pipeline will deliver upgrades to recreational spaces such as greenways, walking routes and parks; new and improved active travel links; carbon-reduction works in public and community buildings, including leisure centres and libraries; and feasibility studies to prepare further local climate projects.

Minister O’Brien said: "This investment under the START scheme, co-funded by the EU Just Transition Fund and the government, underlines the government's commitment to both a just transition and accelerating local authority climate action and delivery. While €30 million was allocated for this scheme initially, the quality of projects submitted was to such a high standard that I am delighted to allocate a further €6 million in government funding. This total funding will allow 33 projects to go ahead. I am looking forward to seeing the broad range of projects progress which will further enhance the wider Midlands region as a place to live, work, invest and visit."

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Clare Bannon, Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), the Managing Authority for the EU Just Transition Fund, said: "A targeted regional approach is essential to ensuring that climate action responds to the distinct needs and opportunities of our communities. These locally led projects that are now receiving funding thanks to the START Scheme under the EU Just Transition Fund, will deliver practical measures that strengthen climate resilience and support a fair transition to a low-carbon future. As Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly is committed to enabling their delivery across the Midlands."

Anna Shakespeare, CEO of Pobal, said: "Pobal welcomes today's announcement of the successful projects under the EU JTF START Scheme and congratulates the Local Authorities receiving funding. The diverse projects demonstrate a tangible investment in the development of local communities, supporting the economic diversification of the midlands region as they transition to a low carbon economy.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly and participating local authorities as these projects progress."

Examples include the Ballinasloe Active Travel Scheme in Galway (€4,722,712); RegenTEC Circular Economy Hub retrofit in Kildare (€4,961,051); major energy-efficiency works at Tullamore Leisure Centre in Offaly (€4,904,627); Peatland Trails Roscommon (€4,996,900); and the Blackhall Site Rehabilitation in Mullingar, Westmeath (€2,600,000). Further investments cover decarbonisation projects at leisure centres and libraries, greenway links, and geothermal and solar PV feasibility studies across the territory.

The EU Just Transition Territory spans Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon, and the Municipal Districts of Ballinasloe (Galway), Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Tipperary), and Athy and Clane–Maynooth (Kildare).

Ireland is set to receive up to €84.5 million from the EU Just Transition Fund to 2027, with Government match funding bringing the programme’s value to up to €169 million. Managed by EMRA, the fund supports regions most affected by the shift to a low-carbon economy, including communities impacted by the end of peat production and peat-fired power, and promotes economic diversification, peatland restoration, regeneration of industrial heritage assets and sustainable local mobility.

Pobal has contacted applicants and invited successful projects to begin grant agreement negotiations. Further information on START is available at www.pobal.ie/programmes/eujtf-start/.