The Government has announced a €3m fund to support creative projects that build awareness around climate change and encourage people to make behavioural changes to protect the environment.

The ‘Creative Climate Action II: Agents of Change’ scheme is a joint initiative of the Creative Ireland programme and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

Successful projects will combine arts practitioners with experts in climate science and community engagement.

The programme is seeking projects that address the following:

• Encourage everyone to rethink their lifestyles;
• Connect with the biodiversity crisis;
• Enable a fair and just transition in making lifestyle changes;
• Assist citizens to understand the climate crisis;
• Adapt to the effects of climate change.

There are two funding strands, ‘Spark’ and ‘Ignite’.

The Spark strand strand is for those looking to pilot a new idea, or who want to deliver a creative project at local level. Organisations, community groups and creative groups can apply for grants between €20,000 and €50,000.

The Ignite strand is suitable for those with experience in delivering public engagement projects at scale. Applicants can apply for grants between €50,000 and €250,000.

Commenting on the scheme, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, said:

I am proud that the Irish government has such an explicit link between national cultural policy and climate policy. The first Creative Climate Action projects have done much to capture the public imagination, mobilise communities and show how to make the changes needed. Climate change is humanity’s most important challenge and we need creative projects such as these to galvanise positive action.

Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, added:

Significant cultural and systemic change across all of society is needed to address the climate crisis. This change can only be achieved through fully exploring avenues for innovative and creative ways to inspire people to take action. The cultural sector has a unique part to play in this culture change and I look forward to seeing the exciting ways projects funded through the next phase of the Creative Climate Action Programme will engage people.

Among the projects previously supported by the Creative Climate Action Fund are Baint an Aeir, which brought together community peat-cutting traditions, artists and residents in an Cheathrú Rua, Conamara; Corca Dhuibhne Inbhuanaithe, which hosted artist Lisa Fingleton working with the local farming community; Línte na Farraige, which featured the work of artists Timo Aho and Pekka Niittyvirta and explored rising sea levels; Ripple in Ballina, which featured dancer and choreographer Ríonach Ní Néill; and RISING, which brought together the work of theatre makers Brokentalkers, Trinity College Dublin and the Dublin Theatre Festival.

Applications for Creative Climate Action II: Agents of Change are open now. The deadline is 13 March 2023.

For further details, download the brochure below or visit www.creativeireland.gov.ie.

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