Over €300k In Funding Available For Offaly Community Projects

Projects promoting community development, energy efficiency and sustainability are encouraged to apply.

Over €300k in funding is being made available for community projects in Offaly.

SSE is launching its second round of the Yellow River Community Benefit Fund with grants being offered for projects within 10km of the Yellow River Wind Farm.

Priority will be given to applications based within 5km of the turbines.

Projects that support community development, energy efficiency, sustainability, climate action and safety are encouraged to apply. 

While those that improve energy efficiency will receive additional consideration.

Since being established last year, the benefit fund has invested more than €214,000 in local community projects across counties Offaly, Westmeath and Meath.

The fund will provide €308,000 during 2026/27 through two funding streams: 

 - The Local Community Fund, worth €220,000. 
 - The Major Projects Fund, worth €88,000.

One organisation to benefit from the first round of the Yellow River fund has been Ballybryan National School, which received €10,500 to upgrade its lighting system with energy-efficient LED lighting. 

The project has reduced energy costs, improved environmental sustainability and enhanced a facility that plays a central role in the wider community. Outside school hours, the school is regularly used by a range of local groups and activities, including Comhaltas, Irish language classes, yoga sessions, music lessons and community card groups.

Brian Darby, Principal of Ballybryan National School, said:

"We are very grateful for the support provided through the Yellow River Community Benefit Fund. The funding enabled us to complete an LED lighting upgrade project that will provide long-term benefits for our school and the wider community. The project has improved energy efficiency, reduced operating costs and supported our efforts to become more environmentally sustainable. The support from SSE helped us deliver an initiative that would have been difficult to achieve through our own resources alone."