Tidy Towns groups focus on biodiversity and sustainability

Biodiversity and sustainability were the themes at the virtual launch on April 14 of the multi annual Tidy Towns plans for 11 Westmeath groups that participated in the ‘Tidy Towns Plan Project’.

Volunteers from committees in Coole, Collinstown, Killucan/Rathwire, Raharney, Multyfarnham, Glasson, Castledaly, Athlone, Streamstown, Moate and Rochfortbridge took part in the project to develop three-year plans for their areas. Those plans reflect recent changes in the Tidy Towns competition which encourage projects relating to wildlife, habitats and climate change as well as litter and tidiness activities.

The Tidy Towns Plan project was facilitated by Westmeath Community Development and grant aided by Westmeath Local Community Development Committee and the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme 2014–2020.

The creation of opportunities for communities to enhance their towns and hinterlands as well as the protection, maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity has been provided under the LEADER Local Development Strategy (LDS) for Westmeath. It includes support for Tidy Towns plans and enhancement works resulting from such plans.

This project has supported 11 Tidy Towns committees to engage with environmental consultant, Sharon Eastwood of Woodrow Sustainable Solutions, and fulfilled the need to develop three-year plans for each community.

Sharon’s expertise in the Tidy Towns competition, particularly in biodiversity, has allowed communities to understand and realise their potential in developing and delivering projects that protect local wildlife habitats, climate change and biodiversity.

Communities have set realistic actions that they can carry out in their communities across the seven themes of the competition, which, when delivered, will support them to achieve improved results in the Tidy Towns competitions, but ultimately enhance the towns and villages they live in.

The launch was attended by Sharon Eastwood, staff of the LEADER programme at Westmeath Community Development, and volunteers from the communities who engaged in the project.

Members from a number of the committees spoke about projects they have completed to date and those set out in their plans. Darren Egan from Castledaly spoke about reusing pallets for Christmas light decorations in the village, and plans to expand their potting shed which gives the community a communal space to pot plants focusing on pollinators that are the best at encouraging biodiversity.

Joe Potter from Collinstown spoke about the strong social capital among voluntary organisations, primary school and local businesses. They have set an action to work with the community and local authorities to conserve and protect the water quality at the Lough Lene and explore how they could develop water quality projects into the future.

Raharney have plans to transform a derelict area of a local estate, including a community orchard. Raharney have already scored highly in the Tidy Towns competition in the area of biodiversity, having worked closely with the local school to develop their amenity garden and displaying information on wildlife, habitats and planting. They plan to create a sensory garden in the near future.

Many projects identified through the Tidy Towns plans and similar type projects in communities in Westmeath will be eligible to apply for funding under the Transitional LEADER Programme launched in April 2021.

Funding of €1,636,273 available under new LEADER Transitional Programme

Following recent announcements by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, funding of €1,636, 273 has been allocated to Westmeath for projects under the Transitional LEADER programme for a two-year period. The Transitional LEADER Programme 2021-2022 will bridge the gap between the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme and the new LEADER Programme. The themes and sub themes for the Transitional Programme will be delivered in line with those of the LEADER 2014-2020 programme.

The themes include (1) Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation; (2) Social Inclusion; and (3) Rural Environment.

The theme of Rural Environment features prominently and offers support for new and innovative projects in the area of climate change, environmental protection, the green economy and the protection and sustainable use of water.

Funding is available to community groups and private individuals or businesses for projects under those themes up to a maximum of €100,000. For capital projects, up to 75pc grant aid is available (projects in hard to reach communities will be eligible for up to 90pc grant aid).

For analysis and development projects, (feasibility studies) up to 90pc grant aid will be available for community groups and 75pc for private individuals or businesses up to €30,000. Up to 100pc grant aid is available for training projects.

There will also be an opportunity in coming months to participate in Water Resources Management Training. The training programme (which will be advertised) will be seeking participants including Tidy Towns groups, community groups, angling, farmers and environmental groups and the general population who have an interest in raising awareness of their local rivers and lakes and to prepare groups to develop and deliver habitat and water quality projects in their communities.