Generation Green Community Fund
56 projects fully funded by our €5m / £4.3m Generation Green Community Fund
The SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund has been established to support communities across the island of Ireland in their journey towards sustainability. The fund is designed to empower local communities to take an active role in the Green Transition - a collective shift toward greener, more sustainable living.
The Generation Green Community Fund is open to a wide range of groups – whether projects are part of a grassroots organisation working on environmental awareness, a school looking to integrate sustainability into the curriculum, or a social enterprise creating green solutions, this fund is here to support their vision.
Getting to net zero is in everyone’s interest and local communities will be at the heart of the energy transition.
What does the fund support?
The fund aims to support projects that promote sustainability, environmental awareness, and climate action at a local level. Whether it’s a grassroots group improving energy efficiency, a school integrating sustainability into learning, or a social enterprise creating climate-friendly solutions, the fund is designed to uplift and enable communities making a real difference.
Spotlight on projects
Change Clothes
In the Republic of Ireland, Change Clothes, a circular fashion hub in Dublin 8, has received funding to expand its community-led textile reuse initiative. The new facility will include a permanent clothing swap shop, repair cafés, affordable mending services, and a referral-based free store for people experiencing homelessness. It will also run paid upcycling traineeships and workshops, embedding circular economy practices within the local community.
“Thanks to SSE Airtricity’s support, Change Clothes is moving into a much-needed larger premises, allowing us to significantly expand our clothing swap, education, and production services. This funding will enable up to 10 long-term unemployed people to take part in paid traineeships while helping us divert an estimated 200 tonnes of clothing from landfill over the next year. It’s a huge step forward in showing how local climate action can also create real social and economic opportunity.”
- Mary Fleming, Founder, Change Clothes
Business in the Community
While in Northern Ireland, Business in the Community Northern Ireland’s Generation Green Schools project will launch in post-primary schools from the 2025/26 school year. Delivered in 44 schools across all 11 council regions, the programme will promote carbon literacy, the circular economy, energy awareness, and biodiversity, equipping young people with the knowledge and tools to shape a greener future.
“Business in the Community is delighted to bring our Generation Green Schools project, funded by the SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund, to schools across Northern Ireland, starting in the new school term.
“This funding allows us to deliver a project which will inform and educate young people in Years 10 and 11 to develop practical skills in four key areas – Carbon Literacy, Energy Matters, Circular Economy and Biodiversity. It will be achieved through interactive workshops, STEM projects, and collaboration with business mentors.”
“With green skills identified as key to economic growth, we want to enable students to gain real-world experience, boosting their confidence, awareness, and employability opportunities.”
- Dr Lisa McIlvenna, Managing Director, Business in the Community Northern Ireland
Download our complete list of 56 fully funded projects
“We’re delighted to support such a wide range of ambitious, community-led sustainability projects. Achieving net zero is a shared responsibility, and these initiatives show how vital local leadership is in Ireland’s green energy transition."
"We have listened to the needs of our communities, and they’ve told us what matters most - from improving biodiversity to enhancing local infrastructure and education. We understand the challenges many projects and groups face in accessing funding resources, and we’re proud to play a part in enabling them to create lasting environmental and social impact.”
Stephen Gallagher, Managing Director SSE Airtricity