Funding for ten Mayo schools under National Sustainability Programme
Minister of State Alan Dillon TD has welcomed the inclusion of ten schools in Mayo who will receive dedicated funding to advance their Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) projects for the 2025/2026 school year.
Under the allocations confirmed today, seven Mayo primary schools will receive total funding of €16,000 while three Mayo post primary schools will receive €6,500.
These are: Ballyvary Central National School for sensory space/walk-in polytunnel area; Behy National School to renovate school garden and outdoor classroom; Cooneal National School for polytunnel for fruits and vegetables; Midfield NS for a sustainable walkway and outdoor leaning trail; Cholmicille NS for a school garden; Doohoma NS for sprinkler system for greenhouse; St. Antony’s special school, Castlebar, for CPD courses and 50 shades greener programme; Balla Secondary School for biodigester/food waste management system and teacher CPD; St. Muredach’s College, Ballina, for the development of a bilingual, student led interactive biodiversity trail in Beleek Woods; St. Louis Community School for Fast Fashion project.
Minister Dillon said: “This investment represents a strong endorsement of the leadership shown by Mayo’s schools in promoting sustainability, climate awareness, and hands on environmental education. These projects will empower students to take meaningful action in their schools and communities, and I am delighted to see Mayo so strongly represented in this year’s funding round.”
The funding will support a wide range of sustainability initiatives across Mayo, including: School gardens and outdoor learning spaces; recycling and waste reduction systems; biodigesters and composting projects; rainwater harvesting and irrigation systems; fast fashion awareness and circular economy projects; energy education initiatives; student led environmental action and teacher training and sustainability workshops.
“These projects will help build greener, more resilient school environments,” Minister Dillon added. “They also strengthen the connection between our schools and their local communities, ensuring that sustainability becomes part of everyday life for the next generation.”
The Mayo allocations form part of a wider announcement by Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, who confirmed over €850,000 in ESD funding for 390 schools nationwide. Schools received between €1,000 and €2,500 after successfully proposing sustainability projects under the ESD to 2030 Strategy.
The national strategy aims to ensure all learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, with a strong emphasis this year on local community action.