Skip to main content
ccc-logo

Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) 2026

Communities Working Together for Climate

Cork City Council is delighted to launch the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) 2026, supporting community groups to take practical action for climate, biodiversity and environmental improvement across Cork City.

A total fund of €50,000 is available through two funding streams:

  • LEAF Capital Investment Fund (approximately €40,000 available)
  • LEAF Events and Awareness Fund (approximately €10,000 available)

Funding is provided through the IPB Insurance Local Authority Community Fund and supports projects that strengthen communities while delivering positive environmental outcomes. 

Closing Date for Application: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Funding Available

Grants of between €1,000 and €25,000 are available.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are welcome from community groups that:

  • Are members of the Cork City Public Participation Network (PPN)
  • Can deliver their project between 1 September and 30 November 2026
  • Can demonstrate collaboration with at least one other community group, school, club or organisation, or explain why collaboration is not feasible
  • Support environmental, climate action or biodiversity objectives within their community 

What We Are Looking For

We want to support projects that:

  • Improve local biodiversity and environmental quality
  • Reduce carbon emissions or increase climate resilience
  • Bring people together around a shared environmental goal
  • Create positive and lasting impacts in neighbourhoods across Cork City
  • Encourage collaboration between community groups and local organisations 
Together, we can build greener, more resilient and more connected communities across Cork City.

Stream 1: LEAF Capital Investment Fund

This fund supports projects that deliver real, tangible climate action, biodiversity enhancement and environmental improvements within local communities.

Examples of eligible projects include:

  • Community planting schemes
  • Pollinator-friendly habitats
  • Rain gardens and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS)
  • Biodiversity enhancement features
  • Community orchards
  • Tree planting
  • LED lighting upgrades
  • Window and door upgrades for community facilities
  • Pumped insulation projects
  • Small-scale solar installations that do not require an ESB NC7 application
  • E-bikes and e-cargo bikes for community use

Projects should provide a lasting environmental benefit and include a maintenance plan where appropriate. 

Capital Project Requirements

All projects should:

Excluded Items

The following will not be funded:

  • Robot lawnmowers
  • Electric vehicles other than e-bikes or e-cargo bikes
  • Solar installations that require an NC7 application to ESB Networks

To apply use our Submit link below:

IPB Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) - Capital Fund Application Form

Stream 2: LEAF Events and Awareness Fund

This fund supports activities that increase community understanding, participation and engagement in environmental and biodiversity action.

Examples include:

  • Environmental workshops and training
  • Biodiversity awareness events
  • Community gardening initiatives
  • Harvest festivals
  • Climate action learning programmes
  • Community awareness campaigns
  • Community events focused on sustainability, biodiversity or environmental stewardship

Projects should clearly demonstrate how they will raise awareness, build local capacity or encourage positive environmental action. Where relevant, applications should reference local and national environmental policies.

To apply use our Submit link below:

https://submit.link/531

Important Information

Delivery Period

Projects must be completed between 1 September 2026 and 30 November 2026. Projects that cannot realistically be delivered within this period will not be funded. 

Payment Arrangements

Successful groups will receive:

  • 75% of the grant upfront
  • The remaining 25% on completion of the project and submission of the final report 

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will be required to submit:

  • A final impact report
  • An expenditure report including receipts
  • Before and after photographs where relevant
  • Community feedback where available 

Acknowledgement

Groups must acknowledge the support of IPB Insurance and Cork City Council in project communications and promotional materials. 

Community Climate Action