Grants totalling £100,000 have been allocated to 47 projects under the 1998 Environmental Partnership Fund by the Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Dan Wallace.
The fund, now in its second year, aims to support stronger links between local authorities, community groups and non-governmental organisations to raise environmental awareness in local communities. The grants of £500 to £5,000 go to projects that try to solve local environmental problems and to encourage more responsible behaviour.
Projects grant-aided include Wicklow County Council and Knocksink Environmental Education Centre, for environmental educational materials and resources; Ballinasloe Urban District Council and Ballinasloe Chamber of Commerce, to develop and promote Ballinasloe as an environmentally friendly "green town"; Tipperary County Council and the Tipperary Rural and Business Institute for a pilot community campaign to promote environmentally sustainable practices at household, community and school level.