GEAI Climate Action Hub
The Climate Action Hub describes how Good Energies Alliance Ireland operates to support community-based climate action in Ireland through education, advocacy, and local sustainability projects.
Turning Climate Ambition into Action
Addressing climate change requires more than awareness—it calls for practical, collective action rooted in communities. The GEAI Climate Action Hub brings together key strands of work to support meaningful, coordinated climate action at local, national, and international levels.
Our Vision
We envision the GEAI Climate Action Hub as a central platform where knowledge, collaboration, and action come together to drive climate solutions.
At the centre of our approach, the Climate Action Hub acts as a connecting space—linking people, ideas, and initiatives. It provides the structure and support needed to turn climate ambition into tangible, community-led action.
It identifies four main areas of action:
1. Rural Sustainability and Resilience
Supporting strong, adaptable rural communities
- Promoting sustainable land use and local solutions
- Strengthening community resilience to environmental challenges
- Encouraging place-based climate action
What we do
- Setting up an eco-friendly Emergency Hub with facilities for people impacted by severe weather events or other emergencies. This initiative includes installation of solar array with battery power; EV charging unit powered by Solar, back-up rainwater harvesting unit, catering facilities
- Working with Leitrim County Council, PPN, Environmental Network and Climate Action Team to develop policies designed to support the just transition from fossil fuels and conservation of the natural environment.
- Organising community-based Climate Dialogue sessions to raise awareness of the climate crisis and to support climate action.
- Supporting local initiatives to regenerate our local biodiversity, especially in the area of bogs and wetlands.
2. Education for Climate Action
Building knowledge and inspiring action
- Climate education programmes and workshops, for schools and communities
- Capacity-building for individuals and communities
- Participation in local and national networks
Education is central to enabling long-term, meaningful change.
What we do
- Climate Action Days programme for Transition Year in schools
- Erasmus+ Youth Participation projects focusing on creating Climate Champions
- Bog projects with primary school pupils
3. National Advocacy and Activism
Amplifying voices and influencing change
- Supporting advocacy initiatives and campaigns, both nationally and locally
- Engaging with policy and decision-making processes
- Encouraging active citizenship and leadership
This work connects grassroots action with broader systemic change.
What we do
With local communities and our ESC volunteers, we organise environmental campaigns, e.g. ban on single-use plastic, researching new approaches to reducing carbon emissions locally and nationally (Cróga project).
We also
- Organise email campaigns and submissions as in response to public consultation calls on environment issues
- Participate in meetings and discussion with local, regional and national decision-makers.
- We are members of the Irish Environmental Network and other local, national and international environmental networks and bodies.
4. International Volunteer and Youth Projects
Engaging global perspectives and future leaders
- Through the European Youth Programmes, enable young people to participate in youth-led climate initiatives and exchanges
- International collaboration and volunteering
- Building skills, awareness, and global solidarity
This strand empowers young people to play an active role in climate action locally and globally.
What we do
An important aspect of the work done by GEAI is hosting ESC volunteers . These are amazing young people from all over Europe and beyond, who come to us to volunteer for up to a year. They are funded through the EU European Solidarity Corps programme. This provides them with accommodation, use of a car, pocket money and a living allowance. In addition, GEAI provides mentors, supervisors and specific coaching. As well as experiencing (and enjoying!) local culture, the ESC experience assists in the volunteers’ social, personal and professional development. This opportunity is also open to Irish young people. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering from 2 months to 1 year.
As well as hosting volunteers, GEAI also sends young local people, generally around 18 years old, abroad on ESC projects, mostly to our partners in Greece. Generally, the local volunteers participate in a short-term project, up to two months. The Greek project is in a small town called Xylocastro, where the volunteers help to prevent forest fires, keep a beach clean and assist with local markets and kindergarden. The project is a great experience for these young people, many of whom have never travelled independently before.
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
