Deadline: 05-Jul-2024
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is seeking applications to support community-led projects as part of the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme 2024.
The objective of the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme (PNCES) is to educate and raise awareness of Ireland’s Natura 2000 sites (sites designated as an SAC and/or SPA) and all peatland areas, by providing grants to local community groups and organisations which will support a diverse range of initiatives with community benefit, including;
- events, education programmes, promotions, publications, exhibitions,
- development of conservation management plans,
- public amenity and recreational measures,
- maintenance to support the conservation of habitats,
- monitoring or surveying work to inform restoration/conservation projects, invasive species and fire control measures,
- anti-littering initiatives and general environmental improvements
Funding Information
- There are two categories of funding available:
- Category 1 – Natura 2000 sites (SAC / SPA)
- Grants available under Category 1 will be between €1,000 and €40,000, with the maximum grant being 80% of the costs of the project.
- Category 2 – Non-Natura 2000 Peatland sites (incl. NHA’s and undesignated sites)
- Grants available under Category 2 will be between €500 and €20,000, with the maximum grant available being 80% of the costs of the project.
- The remaining project costs must be funded through match funding in the form of financial contributions, voluntary and in-kind hours or donations.
- Advance funding of up to 30% of the total grant award for a project may be made available to applicants where required, subject to repayment in the event that the project does not proceed.
- In exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the NPWS a grant may be awarded outside of this range.
- Category 1 – Natura 2000 sites (SAC / SPA)
Eligible Projects
- The categories of projects eligible for grant funding are as follows: (These lists are not exhaustive). Applications for sites that are not Natura 2000 will only be considered if they are peatland sites. The NPWS would encourage responsible projects on designated Natura sites which seek to restore and conserve the habitats and species for which the site is designated. Particular care should be taken with proposed works in designated areas, such as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA).
- Education, Awareness and Conservation Programmes that will promote the public’s engagement with and awareness of habitats, species and designated sites including, but not limited to; raised and blanket bog designated sites.
- Potential applications may include: undertaking educational tours, school day trips or summer projects i.e. recreational and educational activity, encouraging voluntary participation, which involve improving the awareness of the conservation and restoration of the designated sites and the protection of habitats and species.
- Events, Exhibitions and Promotional campaigns connected to conservation, restoration, awareness or promotion of habitats, species and sites that will allow the public an opportunity to engage with or experience the natural heritage.
- Publications, Leaflets and Local Nature Newsletters that promote an appreciation for and understanding of the immense intrinsic value of habitats andspecies to Ireland’s rich natural heritage and would contribute to national enjoyment of said heritage.
- Conservation, Enhancements and Improvement Measures supporting local environmental projects and volunteer groups that directly address threats to Natura sites and align with conservation objectives. This includes assisting with maintenance work to improve areas surrounding and within SAC networks.
- They would advise any group undertaking walk-way or trail measures to consult with the NPWS and seek advice of other organisations who have undertaken similar projects.
Criteria
- Applications are welcomed across a diverse range of initiatives with community benefit from events, education programmes, promotions, publications, exhibitions, development of conservation management plans, public amenity and recreational measures, maintenance measures that support conservation measures, monitoring or surveying work to inform of restoration/conservation projects, invasive species and fire control measures, anti-littering initiatives to local environmental improvements in the area of the designated sites and other peatland areas.
For more information, visit NPWS.