GAP supports community‑led climate action
Across the border counties of Cavan and Fermanagh, something remarkable is unfolding: a small group of local people have got together to try and learn from each other about effective local responses to the climate emergency.
Through the Community Climate Leadership Training initiative, a cross‑border partnership delivered by GAP Ireland alongside The Fermanagh Trust and Cavan County Local Development (CCLD), aspiring community leaders are being empowered to turn local climate concern into positive, practical action.
Funded by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), this programme is rooted in the idea that lasting change comes from communities themselves, not from top‑down mandates. It recognises that climate action can also be a powerful force for peacebuilding, inclusion and local leadership across historic divides.
Why this matters
Cavan and Fermanagh are already experiencing the tangible effects of a changing climate.
In recent years, repeated flooding in Cavan has damaged homes, businesses, and key transport routes like the N3, while periods of intense rainfall followed by prolonged dry spells have placed strain on water supplies and local ecosystems. Fermanagh’s lakes, wetlands, and surrounding habitats, including those around Lough Erne, are particularly vulnerable, with shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures threatening biodiversity.
Looking ahead, projections indicate that these impacts are likely to intensify. More frequent flooding, water scarcity, heat stress and biodiversity loss pose risks not only to the natural environment but also to the social and economic fabric of the region. Agriculture, a cornerstone of local livelihoods, is increasingly exposed to soil degradation, unpredictable weather, and water stress. At the same time, rural isolation and the legacy of historical divisions create barriers to collective action, making it harder for communities to respond effectively to these shared challenges.
Climate change does not stop at county or national borders, and neither can local ambition.
People living in Cavan and Fermanagh are intimately familiar with their landscapes, their vulnerabilities, and their strengths, making them ideally placed to identify practical solutions, from renewable energy projects and biodiversity restoration to circular economy initiatives and sustainable water management. However, these initiatives can only succeed if communities see themselves as active climate leaders, supported by strong networks, mentoring, and training.
This is why promoting community-led leadership is so vital. Local leaders help translate knowledge into action, sustain momentum, and ensure that everyone – from farmers to young people to historically marginalised groups – has a voice in shaping solutions.
Through cross-border collaboration, the programme strengthens social connections and trust, equipping communities with the skills, confidence, and support needed to implement meaningful, locally driven climate action.
By empowering people to take ownership of solutions in their own communities, the initiative not only addresses environmental challenges but also nurtures resilience, cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose that can endure well beyond the programme itself.
How the programme works
At the heart of the initiative is a structured learning and action framework that combines training with hands‑on experiences:
- Climate and Renewable Energy Training
In the training modules, participants explore how communities can form Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs); local groups that help communities manage energy use, cut emissions and reduce fuel poverty. - Inclusion and Systems Thinking
The training also includes a session on climate justice, in which participants explore the “Iceberg Model”, helping them look beneath surface symptoms to understand how societal structures, from consumer culture to historical inequities, shape climate outcomes. - Circular Economy and Waste
One of the workshops focused on demystifying how communities can shift from linear “take‑make‑dispose” systems to more circular, regenerative approaches that reduce waste and retain value. - Water and Land Resilience
This module linked land‑use choices with flooding and water quality outcomes, boosting skills in sustainable land and water stewardship. - Leadership Development
A core focus of the programme is on nurturing Climate Champions: community members who can inspire others, mobilise action, and sustain momentum without burning out.
- Community Field Trip & Network Building
As part of the project, participants visit places like Killykeen Forest Park and community‑run energy projects give participants real‑world insight and connection to practical projects.
The role of GAP, CCLD & The Fermanagh Trust
GAP brings climate‑focused education and community empowerment expertise to the partnership. GAP’s approach emphasises practical, behaviour‑centred learning that reconnects people with nature and community and fosters action that is grounded in local reality.
Cavan County Local Development (CCLD) is a community‑led organisation that delivers a wide range of social, rural and economic programmes in Cavan. Its work includes supporting inclusion, community enterprise and projects that help tackle climate change and improve quality of life. The organisation also brings expertise in grant support, training, mentoring and collaborative project delivery.
The Fermanagh Trust, meanwhile, serves as a cornerstone for community development in Fermanagh. It supports local groups and initiatives through grants, community engagement and programme delivery. In this project, the Trust contributes its experience in enabling community groups to make informed, locally relevant decisions about sustainable energy, biodiversity, food security, and environmental education.
Together, these partners are making climate action accessible, relevant and actionable, especially in communities that might otherwise struggle to access resources or training.