In addition to being awarded funding, every applicant that applies to start or expand an idea in their community will receive a range of supports including:

• A starter guide for your chosen project


• Free tech tools & website to help get your project started and manage your group


• Advice & support via email & Zoom

The Clogheravaddy Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund is open to individuals, informal community groups, and local non-profit organisations to start new projects, or expand an existing project, in their community.

This fund is being run in accordance with the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) Community Benefit Fund Guidelines, which state that the funding must be used to support projects that address one of the following themes:

• 
  Quality Education – a broad interpretation would mean projects and activities delivered in pre-school, primary or secondary schools, or other local educational institutions; as well as other skills, education or training programmes (e.g. adult new skills development).


• 
  Affordable and Clean Energy – projects and activities that align to the production of renewable energy (e.g. solar energy installed on community buildings/homes), energy efficiency (e.g. retrofitting of community buildings/homes, including insulation, oil to heat pump, solar water heating, electric vehicle (EV) chargers etc).


• 
  Sustainable Cities and Communities – projects and activities that create and sustain more inclusive, safer and resilient communities, including accessible transportation (e.g. funding community bus or EV chargers, focusing on those most marginalised or at risk; i.e. elderly, women, children, disabled), protecting and enhancing cultural and natural heritage (e.g. historical sites or creation of community forest/nature/biodiversity reserve/walks), protect community from floods/storm/drought damage, improve air quality, access to recycling and waste reduction, increase community green spaces and make them accessible, increase tourism and build local solidarity.


• 
  Climate Action – projects and activities that build awareness and knowledge of climate change, the solutions and negative impacts, reduce greenhouse gas release (e.g. switching from fossil fuel energy, like oil/gas boilers, to renewable sources), adapt to climate change (e.g. protect from flood/storm/drought or high future energy costs from fossil fuels).

The project must take place within 15km of Clogheravaddy Wind Farm.

There is a total fund of $13,000 available to help support community organisations to start a new project or expand an existing project. Each applicant who successfully completes a 30 Day Challenge and an Impact Challenge will receive funding to help get their selected project off the ground.

• Scheduling a 15 min call with one of the ChangeX team


• Recruiting 4 people to join your team


• Hosting a casual kick-off virtual meeting


• Sharing a team photo (screenshot from virtual meeting) & a short action plan