Community groups encouraged to apply to Celtic Interconnector benefit fund

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of funding under EirGrid’s Celtic Interconnector Community Benefit Fund.

Applications for the second phase of the €2.4 million fund are now being welcomed, with €841,013 in funding available to eligible communities and voluntary groups.

The Celtic Interconnector Community Benefit Fund was established by EirGrid to recognise the importance of local communities who facilitate the development of the electricity grid and will benefit groups and projects in the East Cork project area.

The fund is open to community groups and not-for-profit organisations who can demonstrate benefits to communities from the services, programmes or facilities they provide in the project area, under three streams of funding: community, sustainability and biodiversity.

Funding of up to €240,000 will be available for both community projects and for sustainability projects. 

Funding of €361,013 will be made available for biodiversity projects, with a €121,013 underspend carried over from the first phase of the fund under the biodiversity stream.

“We’re delighted to open the next phase of this fund and build on the incredible projects already completed,” Sinead Dooley, head of public engagement at EirGrid, said.

“These initiatives demonstrate the power of collaboration and show how targeted support can make a real difference.

“We strongly encourage communities to apply, particularly for projects with a biodiversity focus.”

The deadline for applications to the latest funding round is set for March 14, 2025.

For more information on project eligibility, visit www.eirgrid.ie/celticinterconnector.

The first phase of the fund saw 29 community groups receive a total of €838,987, with funding supporting a wide range of projects, from the funding of LED floodlights for Youghal Rugby Football Club to supporting the development of a school’s sensory garden.

The Celtic Interconnector, a 575km subsea link between Ireland and France, will enable the movement of electricity between the two countries, making the country’s electricity supply more secure.