Sustainability Begins with Community Energia Group's Greener Possibilities Fund
21st February 2024
Energia Group is delighted to award Global Action Plan and FoodCloud, two community-driven charities, funding as part of their Greener Possibilities Group. Over two years, each organisation will be given €50,000 of funding. The funds which will be administered by Community Foundation Ireland, will have a lasting impact on the projects carried out by the two groups.
Both groups, who were also part of the Group’s first year of awardees of the Greener Possibilities fund, coordinate projects that are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of Energia Group’s commitments to sustainability and community, this fund will strive to help the awarded projects increase their ability to make the world a more sustainable place to live, in line with SDG 13 Climate Action and SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The organisations groups based in the Republic of Ireland are part of an overall group of four that have been awarded funds as part of Energia Group’s Greener Possibilities Fund. In Northern Ireland, Grow NI and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful have also been selected to receive the funding.
Derek Scully, Head of Corporate Affairs at Energia Group acknowledged the importance of the funds and the work of the various organisations, “At Energia Group we are delighted to be supporting these four incredible organisations who each have a positive focus and impact on sustainability and communities. The Greener Possibilities Fund is closely aligned to the Group’s strategy and values, and through a shared focus on the UN SDGs we are excited to be helping them to deliver real change across climate action and supporting communities that we serve and operate in. We know that these organisations are catalysts for supporting those that might be vulnerable and experiencing difficulties, and we are proud to be able to support their valuable work.”
Hans Zomer from Global Action Plan said, “We are delighted with the support from Energia Group’s Greener Possibilities fund, as it helps us increase the reach and impact of our unique community gardens in Dublin. Our two GLAS community gardens are the central hubs for our social inclusion and environmental education programmes, as places where everyone in the local community can come and feel welcome, as well as discover their power to make a real difference, for people and for the planet on which we all depend. The support from the Energia Group through the Greener Possibilities fund allows us to improve our GLAS programmes even further, to ensure that they serve more people even better.
Aoibheann O’Brien from FoodCloud said, “FoodCloud is really pleased to be one of the recipients of Energia Group’s Greener Possibilities Fund. The funding from the Group will support FoodCloud’s warehouse management system, increasing efficiency across our three warehouses and supporting us to rescue and redistribute as much food as possible, working towards our vision of a world where no good food goes to waste.”
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive, Community Foundation Ireland added, “Climate action starts in communities. As a philanthropic hub, the Community Foundation works with partners who share our vision of Equality for All in Thriving Communities. The Energia Group is one of those important partners. By working together, we are delivering supports and expertise which will help ensure sustainable futures for all.”
Energia Group continues to serve its long-standing reputation of working with and in collaboration with community groups across Ireland. The Group has invested more than €3 million in local communities through their community benefit funds. Additionally, the Group helps several climate action education initiatives while also marking hours of volunteering jobs to charities every year.
Pictured (l-r): Aoibheann O’Brien, FoodCloud with Derek Scully, Energia Group.
