Ballina Stephanites GAA Green Clubs
In January 2020, the County & City Management Association (CCMA), on behalf of local authorities, and the GAA have pledged to work together to lead their communities in promoting sustainability and climate action.
The partnership capitalises on the leadership roles both organisations have within their communities, and the potential they have to engage with citizens of all ages to promote sustainable local development, environmental awareness and climate action.
The collaboration builds on the GAA’s status as a Sustainable Development Goal Champion and aligns with local government commitments under the National Climate Action Plan and Local Authorities’ Climate Action Charters.
A steering group, composed of representatives from the local authority sector, the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association are developing various initiatives, such as a Green Club toolkit that will be focused on the key action areas of Energy & Water Efficiency, Biodiversity, Waste Management & Plastic Use and Transport.
The Green Clubs Programme demonstrates that at its core, the GAA is a community-based organisation grounded in place. The project supports hard-working volunteers in future-proofing their club facilities while contributing to the sustainability of their community from an environmental and cultural perspective. It also demonstrates the GAA’s commitment as an official SDG Champion of the Irish government.
Ballina Stephenites GAA Club
Ballina Stephenites GAA Club is participating in phase one of the GAA Green Club Programme, part of the GAA’s work as an Irish Champion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
It is one of only five clubs chosen in Connacht and fortunate to be the only club participating in Mayo, alongside the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan, and the chosen area of focus is biodiversity.
Ballina Stephenites hopes to achieve some meaningful green goals that will future-proof the club and position it as a sustainable leader in the community, helping it to become a sustainable, environmentally conscious place for everyone to enjoy.
The club is also excited to have the opportunity to partner with the Mary Robinson Centre and be part of the community development and participatory process in making Ballina Ireland's greenest town.
Although focusing primarily on biodiversity, the Stephenites will not be limited to this area of work. The project will also result in the creation of a GAA Green Clubs toolkit that will be made available to all GAA units in Ireland, replete with useful case studies, established partnership models, and funding avenues.