Green Party Senator and Euro candidate for Dublin, Deirdre de Burca, has urged environmental activists around Dublin to apply for EU funding to support projects on nature conservation and education.

The EU LIFE+ Programme will provide €1.7 billion for co-funded projects across Europe to educate people on environmental matters. The Programme covers a range of environmental issues including nature conservation, environmental technology, community environmental policy and the communication of environmental matters.

Senator de Burca said, “I welcome this latest wave of grants from the EU to raise awareness of environmental issues and encourage innovative ways to protect biodiversity.

“The real way to change attitudes towards the environment is to work at a community level and that is exactly what these grants do. Some project ideas include public awareness campaigns, projects to protect local wildlife species and green areas, environmental monitoring and innovative approaches to involving the community in policy areas.

“Applications open on May 15 and run until September. I urge all activists, community groups, schools and local authorities to discuss innovative ways to raise environmental awareness in their community.

“People can contact me directly with questions and I will work closely with groups to ensure they receive the funding they deserve,” added Senator de Burca.

In order to assist potential applicants, an information workshop, conducted by the EU Commission, will be held in the offices of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1 on 29 May.

Persons wishing to attend the workshop should contact: Brian Earley at Brian_Earley@environ.ie as soon as possible as places may be limited.

Filed under:
Dublin by Deirdre