SDCC and IPB Insurance Launches Major Community Fund

Mayor of SDCC, Councillor Francis Timmons, officially launched the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) joint initiative between SDCC and IPB Insurance in Rathfarnham Castle Park on Monday 6th July 2026.  LEAF provides a €100,000 local fund available to Tidy Towns, Residents’ Associations and voluntary groups to support community-led projects focused on Environmental Enhancement, Biodiversity and Climate Action.

The LEAF initiative is a coordinated national Communities Working Together for Climate fund and Mayor Francis Timmons noted that “the joint initiative will provide the support to empower Tidy Towns members and voluntary Community Groups to deliver visible and practical environmental improvements in local areas. Whether your community wants to create a new green space, improve local biodiversity, boost energy efficiency, or reduce food waste, this fund is here to help.”

The IPB Insurance and SDCC support builds on the strength and legacy of the Tidy Towns movement and community volunteers, whose contributions play a key role in enhancing quality of life and supporting Ireland’s climate and biodiversity goals.

Graham Orr, Director of Member & Client Relations at IPB Insurance, highlighted the Fund’s importance within IPB’s Centenary Year saying, “As Ireland’s local government mutual insurer, IPB Insurance exists to protect our Members who, every day, serve the public and their communities. Our mutual ethos goes beyond insurance, it’s about giving back and supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and enhance places. In our Centenary Year, this Fund represents a meaningful investment in the future of towns and communities across Ireland, delivered in partnership with the local authorities who founded IPB. I am particularly delighted to see the fund launching here today in South Dublin”

Fund Details

Grants of €1,000 to €25,000 are available to fully finance high-impact local projects in SDCCs administrative area such as biodiversity, sustainability, water conservation, circular economy, renewable energy and waste reduction initiatives that will enhance the local environment. The Applicant Group must be a Tidy Towns or other Voluntary Group that undertakes similar activities such as a Resident Association. The proposed project must include collaboration with at least one other community stakeholder group including but not limited to Local Schools, Scouts Groups, Youth Clubs, Sports Clubs, Women’s Sheds, Men’s Sheds, Community Gardens.

Project examples include, but are not limited to:

•  Perennial planting aligned with the SDCC Pollinator Plan / All Ireland Pollinator Plan
•  Tree planting and urban greening initiatives e.g. planting on sports club grounds, schools
•  Renewable Energy Projects e.g. installing small solar systems e.g. Community Centres
•  Water Conservation e.g. waterbutts, rain-gardens, rainwater harvesting
•  Repair Café’s and waste reduction and recycling initiatives
•  Public education campaigns on sustainability
•  Climate resilience projects e.g. flood prevention measures

Application Deadline is 6pm Friday 7th August 2026.

Please read the full Guidelines for Applicants here

How To Apply

To apply, please fill out the online application form accessible in the link below: 

LEAF Application Form

Further Information

For further information please contact:

SDCCs Climate Change and Environmental Awareness Section envawareness@sdublincoco.ie