Launch of €6.5 million Creative Climate Action Fund III welcomed by Sligo/Leitrim Minister Marian Harkin

Sligo/Leitrim Minister Marian Harkin has this week welcomed the announcement of a new €6.5 million Creative Climate Action Fund III, supporting ambitious, large-scale creative initiatives that will empower communities across Ireland to engage meaningfully with climate action.

The fund will support imaginative, multi-annual projects that bring together expertise from the arts and culture sector, climate science, and community engagement to drive lasting behavioural change and strengthen public participation in climate solutions.

Welcoming the initiative, Minister Harkin said: “Climate action is not only a scientific and policy challenge – it is a societal one. Through creativity, storytelling and collaboration, we can connect people to the reality of climate change in ways that inspire practical action. The Creative Climate Action Fund III recognises the vital role of artists, cultural practitioners, scientists and communities in shaping a sustainable future.”

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The Creative Climate Action Fund III (2026–2029) is an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme, delivered through a cross-Government partnership. It will support ambitious, durational projects aligned with key national climate priorities, including the Climate Action Plan 2025, the National Dialogue on Climate Action, and the work of the Just Transition Commission. Grants of between €400,000 and €750,000 will be available for projects delivered over a four- year period. The fund is targeted at organisations with a proven track record in delivering large- scale public engagement initiatives with extensive public participation over time.

As part of the overall investment, €1 million is being provided under the Government’s Shared Island initiative. This allocation will support projects with strong all-island, North–South or East–West partnerships, or initiatives conceived and delivered entirely on a Shared Island basis. These projects will foster deeper cross-border cooperation and collaboration between communities engaging with climate change across the island.

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Minister Harkin added: “This fund reflects our commitment to supporting communities to take ownership of climate action. By encouraging cross-border collaboration and long-term engagement, we are investing in projects that not only raise awareness but empower citizens to make meaningful and sustained changes in their daily lives.”

Applications will open on 16 February 2026 at www.creativeireland.gov.ie and will close on 15 April 2026