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- Clann Credo Supports Community Owned Energy
Community Success Stories
- Caltra Community Centre - Plaque Presentation
- Cork Boat Club
Clann Credo Supports Community Owned Energy
Clann Credo has signed up with over 100 other Community and Voluntary groups, and co-operatives to support a Proclamation for Community Energy. For the first time in Ireland this 'Proclamation for Community Energy' recognises communities as active participants in the clean energy transition, and as the best way to unlock the renewable energy potential in Ireland.
Imagine a community putting its hands up and deciding to build a wind farm. Imagine all the schools in a town running on clean free solar electricity. Imagine your heating is powered by biomass and waste from the local farms. Imagine the profits from the local renewable energy project are shared by the local energy co-operative and the individuals and communities who are part of it. Imagine we owned all or part of the renewable energy that powers our lives.
This is the vision for almost 100 community groups, co-operatives, energy agencies and NGO’s who launched the Community Energy Proclamation. Ireland is reliant on fossil fuels for over 90% of its energy, and the road to the future is anything but clear. The recent backlash against wind energy tell us only one thing really is for sure, the transformative change for a clean energy future will not happen without the power of the people.
Kate Ruddock, Policy and Campaigns Manager at Friends of the Earth said,
‘In contrast to many European counties, Community owned renewable energy in Ireland is practically non-existent. A fundamental shift in policy is required that views citizens and communities as essential partners in securing our sustainable energy future, not obstacles to be negotiated. How is it right that we subsidise peat and gas power plants, but there are no payments for solar electricity or for microgeneration. Or that, the system supports developers to build wind farms, but there is no mechanism for community participation in renewable energy.
Davie Philip, Cloughjordan Eco Village said,
‘Every time we pay our energy bills, millions of euros pour out of our communities that could have stayed there creating jobs and energy security. A community will be more resilient and be able to reduce its carbon footprint if it can contribute to the generation of the energy it needs’
Cormac Walsh, Energy Co-operatives Ireland said,
'When an energy co-operative develops a project, jobs, income and expertise stays local. We are working with energy co-ops in Ireland and across Europe. There are some 2,400 Energy Co-ops in Europe. I am confident if we could remove some of the barriers here in Ireland we could have energy co-operatives in every county.'
The proclamation calls for a number of policy changes to allow communities to participate in Ireland’s energy and to allow the community energy industry to develop. These include setting a target for community energy in Ireland and removing a number of technical and financial barriers such as access to the grid, payments for solar energy for micro-generation and for renewable heat, and support and advice structures to enable community groups to develop renewable energy projects.
The Community Energy Proclamation and all those who have endorsed it can be viewed here
Community Success Stories
Caltra Community Centre - Plaque Presentation
A plaque presentation hosted by Clann Credo took place on Monday, 2nd November at Caltra Community Centre, to recognise the importance of this facility to the wider community and the role played by social finance provider Clann Credo in bringing this project to fruition.
Eamon Gilmore TD, former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, and Paul O’Sullivan (CEO Clann Credo) formally presented a commemorative plaque to Seamus Meehan and Mary Flaherty (Secretary and Committee members of Caltra Community Centre).
The event put a spotlight on how communities like Caltra can come together, work collaboratively and turn ambitious projects into a reality. The role of community volunteers was also recognised on the day, with Seamus Meehan, secretary for Caltra Community Centre stating that;
“All of the community came together including trades people who donated €90,000 worth of volunteer trade labour – this significant saving could then be used for future community projects.”
Eamon Gilmore TD, also recognized the significance of community volunteerism and community spirit, but also highlighted the key role played by Social Finance provider Clann Credo stating that;
“Clann Credo has worked successfully with community organisations for over 20 years, and through there loan finance had provided an extra bridge to community groups around the country”
Paul O’Sullivan CEO Clann Credo praised Caltra Community Centre, and highlighted the importance of communities working together to achieve great things, but also recognised the key role of Galway Rural Development Company. He described the extent of Clann Credo to community-based organisations across the country, with €8.5 million having been approved to 54 different community-based organisations throughout Ireland, in the first ten months of 2015. Furthermore, He stated that Clann Credo has affordable loan finance available now for similar projects across the country;
“Any community organisation that has a project or initiative that has a social dividend and repayment capacity, can now access loan finance from Clann Credo.”
The Caltra Community Centre is now open just over a year, but already it is having a big impact on the social, cultural and sporting fabric of the area. The centre now includes a large multi-purpose hall suitable for a broad range of sporting and entertainment activities, meeting rooms and a large kitchen. Tracey Hannon, Clann Credo Social Finance Executive for the western region closed processing on the day with a talk on how community organisations can easily access social finance form Clann Credo and the steps involved.
For more information on Social Finance contact Tracy Hannon on 094 906 0679 tracey@clanncredo.ie
Cork Boat Club
The Cork boat club was established in 1899, and is a rowing club based in Blackrock Village, Cork. It operates from a boathouse on the River Lee and both junior and adult members are coached in rowing on a voluntary basis. The Club members regularly compete in regattas at home and abroad; it had a very successful season in 2014, winning 7 events at the Rowing Ireland National Championships.
In 2013, Clann Credo provided bridging finance against a Sports Capital Grant to assist with the purchase of boats. This grant was drawn-down in tranches over a twelve month period. The Cork Boat Club plays a key role in promoting water sports and a healthy lifestyle in the Cork area. It also acts as a central social hub for the community and it runs a café on weekends where parents can socialise.
“Bridging Finance from Clann Credo was invaluable and facilitated our use of the Sports Capital Grant to purchase much needed boats for Cork Boat Club. Our club goes from strength to strength with increased membership and success on and off the water. We look forward to working with Clann Credo again.”
John McCarthy – Chairman of Cork Boat