LEAF workshop gives tips on €50k Laois windfall
Front: Kevin Manning, LCC Energy Engineer; Lisa Doyle, LCC Biodiversity Officer; John Hogan, IPB Insurance chair; Sam McLeod, LCC Environmental Awareness Officer and Anne Lennon, LCC Climate Action Officer. Back: Suzanne Dempsey, LCC Climate Action Coordinator; Martin Kells, Laois Federation of Tidy Towns chair; Colette O Rourke, LCC Community Climate Action Officer and Pat Delaney, LCC Director of Services
LAOIS County Council’s Climate Action Section hosted a practical project development workshop, to support Tidy Towns and community groups preparing applications to the new Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF).
LEAF will provide a total of €50,000 to support community-led environmental, biodiversity and climate action projects throughout the county.
The fund is open to Tidy Towns groups, which may also partner with other local organisations, including schools, sports clubs, Men’s and Women’s Sheds and community groups, to broaden participation and maximise the impact of projects.
The workshop, held at The Cube in Portlaoise, was attended by representatives from 14 groups from across the county and focused on helping participants turn local environmental ideas into strong, achievable projects.
During the workshop, members of Laois County Council’s Climate Action Section presented practical project ideas relating to their respective areas of expertise. Topics included the circular economy, biodiversity, energy, community gardening and other locally focused environmental initiatives.
Importantly, the support offered to groups will continue beyond the workshop. Climate Action staff will follow up directly with participating groups and provide guidance in their respective areas of expertise to assist with the development of suitable projects and applications.
The workshop included a valuable presentation by Laois Federation of Tidy Towns chairperson Martin Kells, who shared practical advice on rainwater harvesting systems and their potential application within community projects.
Laois County Council’s climate action coordinator Suzanne Dempsey said: “The purpose of the workshop was not only to explain the LEAF application process, but to work directly with groups and help them identify practical projects that respond to the needs of their communities.
“We want groups to know that assistance is available throughout the project development process.”
The strong attendance at the workshop reflected the commitment of Tidy Towns and community groups throughout Laois to protecting biodiversity, improving local environments and building more sustainable and climate-resilient communities.
The initiative is supported by IPB Insurance, which continues to play an important role in supporting local authority-led community programmes nationwide.
John Hogan of IPB Insurance said: “At IPB Insurance, we are proud to support initiatives like the Local Environmental Action Fund that deliver real, positive impacts at community level.
“Local authorities and community groups are at the forefront of environmental action, and by working together we can help create more sustainable and resilient places for people to live, work and thrive.”
Applications to the Local Environmental Action Fund are now open, with a closing date of Thursday, 27 August 2026. Groups interested in applying or seeking assistance with the development of a project can contact the Climate Action Section at Laois County Council at climateaction@laoiscoco.ie
