EU Just Transition Fund - Kildare Green Upskilling Programme

EU Just Transition Fund Programme – 2021 – 2027

Kildare Green Upskilling Programme

Kildare Green Upskilling Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, through the EU Just Transition Fund programme.

EUJTF programme grant funding received: €710,000

Project Start Date: 01/01/2025

Project End Date: 31/03/2026

County Kildare LEADER Partnership have been awarded EU Just Transition Funding to deliver Kildare’s Green Upskilling Programme.

Kildare’s Green Upskilling Programme seeks to empower marginalised individuals in the Athy and Clane-Maynooth regions, particularly those with low education and limited employment opportunities, by delivering a bespoke training programme focused on low-carbon, circular economy practices. The overall aim is to develop the local economy toward a sustainable, net carbon zero future. By providing comprehensive green skills training and fostering sustainable business practices, the programme aligns closely with the EU Just Transition goals, which emphasise supporting communities and workers most affected by the shift to a greener economy.

By upskilling employment support staff (Goal One), the programme will enhance the capacity of those who work directly with unemployed or marginalised individuals, ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to guide people toward green jobs. This creates a ripple effect, where employment services become more adept at helping vulnerable groups access emerging opportunities in the low-carbon sector.

The programme’s second goal, working with local employers, will facilitate the greening of businesses by embedding environmental sustainability and circular economy practices in the workplace. This will not only reduce carbon emissions but also improve long-term economic resilience as businesses adapt to new environmental regulations and market expectations.

The third goal, the design and implementation of a Just Transition programme, will directly contribute to the creation of a local green workforce. The purposed Green Skills Centre of Excellence within the RegenTec Hub in Athy will offer crucial training in energy-efficient building, renewable energy, and retrofitting, enabling participants to find jobs in sectors that will grow as the EU and Ireland moves toward its climate targets. Additionally, the programme will provide practical skills training, such as white goods repair, regenerative farming, and social enterprise development, ensuring that participants gain skills that are relevant to the local economy and future-proofed against shifts away from traditional industries. This aligns strongly with the EU’s Just Transition Mechanism by supporting individuals to transition smoothly into sustainable jobs, without leaving any community behind.

The programme’s final goal, expanding the Kildare Small Jobs services, will enhance the provision of low-carbon, sustainable services to the elderly in Athy and Clane-Maynooth. By creating two new positions to support small white goods repairs, SEAI energy audits, and paint and bottles/cans waste collection, the programme will also have a direct, positive impact on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with mobility challenges. These expanded services will also reduce waste and improve energy efficiency within local households, further contributing to regional sustainability goals.

For Just Transition Programme / Kildare Green Upskilling Programme:

Contact: Aóife Malone – 086-1695331 – aoife@countykildarelp.ie

Contact: Catherine Connolly – 086-0363685 – catherine@countykildarelp.ie

Contact: Breda Stewart – 086-8323822 – bredas@countykildarelp.ie

“The Kildare Green Upskilling Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027”.