Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the allocation of €45,000 in grant funding to Amicitia Health & Social Care, Athenry, under the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS).

The funding forms part of a €650,000 national investment supporting 14 innovative projects across the country aimed at advancing Ireland’s transition to a circular economy.

The €45,000 grant will support an innovative food-waste prevention project in Athenry, developing an experimental learning model that includes an audio walking tour, food preservation workshops, and a hotel demonstration project. The initiative aims to create a scalable circular food system that can be replicated in Irish market towns nationwide.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Canney said: “This €45,000 investment in Amicitia Health & Social Care is a strong endorsement of the innovative and community-focused work taking place in Athenry. Projects like this demonstrate how local initiatives can lead the way in tackling food waste while delivering practical, scalable solutions that benefit both the environment and the local economy.”

Minister Canney said the project aligns strongly with national objectives on sustainability and regional development: “Supporting circular economy projects at local level is essential if we are to turn climate ambition into real action. This project combines education, community engagement and enterprise in a way that can be replicated right across the country, and I wish the Amicitia team every success as they roll it out.”

The Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme supports projects across areas including food waste prevention, reuse and repurposing, circular construction, plastics and textiles. Since 2024, the scheme has been administered in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland.