Join Tipperary’s pioneering Community Climate Coach Programme

AN innovative programme is being launched this week to enhance community wellbeing and climate resilience in Tipperary. The project is led by Cultivate, the Sustainable Ireland Cooperative in partnership with the Tipperary PPN, the South Tipperary Development Company and North Tipperary Development Company.

According to Oscar Mooney the Community Animator of the Community Climate Coaches programme, “the first part of this project is like a continuous professional development course for facilitators and community organisers working in County Tipperary, we aim to develop their facilitation and coaching skills to help create more resilient and sustainable local communities.”

Participants will be empowered to lead change at the grassroots level, host community conversations as well as learning how they can help their communities connect with nature and be more sustainable. Applications are open for people interested in joining from across the five municipal districts of County Tipperary.

Davie Philip, the Project Co-ordinator said, "At the local community level, efforts to address climate and biodiversity issues are often poorly facilitated. This initiative aims to empower individuals to support their communities in identifying their unique needs and priorities, and in designing and implementing locally-appropriate solutions.

“Community Climate Coaches is about fostering a strong sense of community spirit and solidarity. We particularly want to encourage those working with, or from, seldom heard communities to participate, regardless of their previous experience in this area to help create local thriving and inclusive communities” stated Patricia Moloughney, the Diversity Animator of the Project.

The programme activities will include three In-Person sessions held in venues across County Tipperary, with the first session happening on May 20th in Cloughjordan. Online Sessions will also be held for the duration of the project to allow participants to further connect with one another while learning with experts in the areas of biodiversity, climate, and community development.

Ruth Smith, the County Tipperary PPN co-ordinator, stated that “we hope this project will enable more decision-making power for communities at the local level as well as helping address climate anxiety and overwhelm through reconnection and action”

The programme is launched this week at the Tipperary Public Participation Network plenary. To get more information on the project or apply to be part of the Community Climate Coaches visit sustainable.ie or email coaches@sustainable.ie