ChangeX has launched the Accenture Sustainable Community Challenge, supported by Accenture. The initiative, designed to enable community groups to kickstart sustainability projects in their own locality, is now open for applications. Successful applicants will receive the resources, seed funding and support needed to start a project in their local community, empowering them to build thriving and sustainable communities.
Groups can choose from a portfolio of proven ideas that have already had a positive impact in other communities in Ireland and around the world. Ideas include Community Fridge, which supports the sharing of surplus food and the reduction of food waste, and Open Orchard, which connects communities through the planting of fruit trees in public places.
This is the second Accenture Sustainable Community Challenge launched by ChangeX in Ireland. It builds on the success of the 2021 Challenge, which supported 22 local groups to start environmental sustainability projects, benefitting over 2,200 people in communities across Ireland.
Sustainable Skerries community group received funding in 2021 to start an Open Orchard project in North County Dublin. “Over 50 people, adults and children, took part and planted 20 trees in our first Open Orchard, right in the middle of Skerries,” said Sabine McKenna, Chair of Sustainable Skerries. “The day – and the wider project – was very much about community building, working on the planting together and then sharing some tea and cakes and chatting.”
Deirdre Murphy, Corporate Sustainability Lead at Accenture in Ireland added, “All of us are more aware than ever before of the responsibility we have to take action to address the climate and biodiversity crises. At Accenture, we’re working to embed sustainability into everything we do, and with everyone we work with, including in our communities and when crowdsourcing innovations that will help drive sustainable impact globally. Communities truly hold the power to be catalysts for real change, and we’re excited to be able to play a small part in empowering community action in Ireland through our partnership with ChangeX.”
Groups, individuals, and organisations who are passionate about building a thriving community are encouraged to apply to roll out one of the six initiatives for their community at www.changex.org. Seed funding will be allocated to qualifying applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
To date, more than 20,000 community projects have started through the ChangeX platform, with local groups across Ireland, Europe, the United States and Latin America accessing the ideas, support and funding needed to have a measurable impact in their local area.
