AXA Parks Fund Offering Environmental Grants for Local Community Projects
AXA Insurance has launched a new €1m initiative called AXA Parks. This new environmental grants programme will support local community projects that demonstrate a real commitment to improved outcomes for our environment and our communities’ wellbeing.
It is envisaged that projects will include community gardens, wildlife habitats, walking trails and other community-led initiatives in towns and villages. The fund is aimed at voluntary and charitable groups and is designed to be accessible to local communities.
Antoinette McDonald, Director of Marketing and Customer at AXA Insurance said; “Following the challenges we faced over the last two years we have a newfound appreciation of the outdoors and green spaces, and what better time to support groups around the country who want to improve their local communities? Hopefully this initiative will help encourage voluntary groups to plan out community gardens, wildlife habitats, pocket forests and urban orchards to brighten up their communities. The only limit is your imagination.”
Denise Charlton, CEO of The Community Foundation for Ireland, said: “The new AXA Parks Fund is an exciting partnership for The Community Foundation for Ireland, especially given our specific interest in empowering communities to protect Ireland’s native biodiversity. We are thrilled to support AXA in realising their vision of a grants programme that simultaneously strengthens the fabric of community life, and cares for our local ecosystems which are crucial for a healthy future for our children and grandchildren. We are excited to see the ways that the AXA Parks Fund brings together communities in public green spaces that help us reconnect with each other and with nature.”
Interested parties can log on to www.communityfoundation.ie to find out more details and how to enter. Applications will be reviewed, and grants awarded by The Community Foundation For Ireland on behalf of AXA Insurance.
The fund will support projects both large and small with grants ranging from €3,000 up to a maximum of €20,000. Applicants have until May 20th to apply, and it is envisaged that successful applicants will be informed in early August.
Last year AXA launched a massive planting programme for Irish native tree species which will see over 600,000 trees planted across Ireland. As well as having a positive impact on the environment, the creation of new woodlands will provide important animal habitats and create public spaces we can all enjoy for years to come.