Creative Climate Action Fund - call to artists

Clare County Council is proposing to submit an application for the Creative Climate Action Fund at the end of May, 2021.

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from artists, arts organisations or environmental organisations /agencies that may wish to partner with us to submit a proposal relating to

1. Climate Change impacts on the Coast
2. Wetlands in the county

Overview

The Creative Ireland Programme in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is inviting applications to Creative Climate Action, a competitive fund of 1.5 - 2 million euro. Creative Climate Action will fund creative and cultural projects up to the end of 2022 that can meaningfully connect people with the profound changes that are happening in our environment, society and economy arising from climate change, and can transform that connection into behaviour change or climate action.

As outlined in the 2019 report, Engaging the Public on Climate Change through the Cultural and Creative Sectors commissioned by the Creative Ireland Programme and DECC, they believe that creativity, arts and culture have a vital role to play in bringing the urgency of this challenge to the forefront; in imagining, communicating and building a sustainable future; and in encouraging and facilitating action and change at all levels of society.

To create real impact they recognise the need to move towards collaborative, integrated efforts and are encouraging collaborative proposals which bring together stakeholders from across the arts and creative industries, climate change and environmental NGOs, education, science and civil society sectors, and that offer creative, innovative and interdisciplinary solutions.

Clare County Council propose to submit an application dealing with either of the two themes below

a) Climate Change impacts on the Coast

Expressions of interest should focus on climate change with an emphasis on rising sea levels and our changing climate such as an increase in intense winter storms and prolonged dry spells in the summer. They should be informed by Clare County Council’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

b) Wetlands in the county

Expressions of interest should focus on the importance of wetlands, their biodiversity and their importance as carbon sinks. They should be informed by the Clare Wetland Survey which indicates that the total wetland area in County Clare has been estimated at 23,440 ha based on this study, which represents 7.4 % of the entire county (this should be interpreted as a minimum area as wetland habitats within many sites were not mapped due to information deficit).

Expressions should be thought provoking, with an objective of changing behaviour. It is our preference that ideas should create a strong visual physical presence and ideally would be replicable in the four Municipal districts of the county – Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe and Ennistymon areas.

This call is to glean ideas from artists, arts organisations or environmental organisations /agencies around these particular themes. We propose, through this call, to

1. identify proposals that are significantly developed to merit submission for consideration for funding to the Creative Climate Action Fund
2. identify proposals that may merit further development should other funding streams come online.

Proposals should be cognisant of the favoured Areas of Impact which form the basis of the National Dialogue on Climate Action consultation and further details are available in the briefing document.

Area 5 of the National Dialogue on Climate Action is of particular interest to Clare County Council - Our Local Climate and Environment

Ireland also has an abundance of natural resources, from our bogs and forests, to our rivers and oceans.

These natural resources need to be protected from climate change, and in return, they will help us by absorbing carbon, reducing the risk of flooding, increasing flowers and wildlife, and acting as places for us all to reconnect with nature.

At a community level, groups are coming together to clean up pollution, protect local wildlife and to campaign to support the environment. Individually, people are choosing to rewild their garden, use non-toxic products in their homes and gardens and plant vegetation that support bees and other insects.

The Creative Climate Action Fund is looking for proposals that will

• Focus on action and impact
• Spark imagination
• Involve communities
• Reach new audiences

Ideas which engage those sections of society that need additional encouragement and support to respond to the climate challenge, or that are often excluded from the climate conversation are particularly welcome.

Please note that pojects which engage children and youth are not a key priority due to the development of environmental awareness already established within this cohort so these will not be prioritized by the Fund.

Projects should

• Deepen participation
• Span contexts
• Are at scale in terms of longevity, potential to be scaled up, not a single event
• Low carbon and environmentally friendly in project planning and delivery.

Selection Process

Proposals well be assessed as per the criteria below. Due to the short time scale involved we will select the proposal that is the most well developed for this particular round of funding. Others of interest will be retained for further development if funding allows.

Selection Criteria

The Climate Action call aims to ensure that projects are selected in transparent and fair manner, according to clear criteria and a rigorous selection process when due consideration is given to all eligible proposals. The following criteria and marks relate to the questions asked in the survey section below. Applications will be assessed on the following criteria. The maximum overall score is 100.

1. Relevance (20)
   The project meets the brief and is designed to engage the public on climate action and the system, lifestyle and behaviour changes needed at individual, household and community levels. It goes beyond just raising awareness of climate change and enables meaningful public interaction around one or more of the related themes presented in the brief.
2. Quality / Innovation /Creativity (20)
   The project has clear artistic, creative or cultural value and strong participative approaches. It is original, innovative, and introduces new ideas, perspectives and methods of engagement.
3. Impact (15)
   There is transformative potential regarding climate action, with the desired outcomes and longer-term impacts of the project well considered and thought through. There is a clear approach to how the impact will be evaluated and communicated (while we recognise that evaluation in this area is challenging, we are interested in projects that have the potential to lead to real change and that think about evaluation from the outset).
4. Collaboration (15)
   There are partners from multiple disciplines involved and/or capacity to deliver the project through a network of collaboration. There is knowledge of/interest in climate change and experience of work in non-arts contexts.
5. Scalability (10)
   There is potential for longevity, and for additional showcasing, scaling up or further development beyond the scope of this commission. The project goes beyond a single creative event and considers longer term movements and campaigns.
6. Audience (10)
   There is strong consideration given to the audience, and the specific means of engagement. Although all applications will be considered, we are aware of other work which is engaging children and youth on climate change (as referenced above) and will prioritise projects which do not specifically focus on this audience.
7. Feasibility (5)
   The project and budget are well thought through and put together. The environmental impacts of the project are considered. There is a strong partner with clear experience in implementation.
8. Track record (5)
   The applicants / partners have experience in delivering high quality work in their respective field(s) and there is integrity of any scientific contributions or analysis. There is experience of building engagement around socially or politically challenging topics.

Selection Procedure and Selection Panel

The selection panel will comprise of

• Members of Clare County Council’s Culture and Creativity Team
• Representatives from the Environment Section of Clare County Council

It will be chaired by Helen Walsh, Creative Ireland Coordinator.

Timeframe

The deadline for artist(s) submissions is 4pm Friday May 21st, 2021. No late applications will be accepted.

Decisions will be communicated on Tuesday May 25th, 2021.

The selected applicant should be available to assist on the application from May 25th – May 31st, as required by Clare County Council. A stipend of €350 will be paid to the successful applicant to cover their time from May 25th - May 31st in preparing the application with Clare County Council.