Bohemian Football Club Sparks Climate Action
As part of the Spark, Bohemian FC will be working with the local community to learn practical steps to take part in climate action, like the manufacture of solar panels or the basics of retrofitting.
In a trailblazing move that unites the spheres of sports, community, and sustainability, Bohemian FC has embarked on an ambitious climate initiative known as “The Spark.” The Spark is a three-year “Learning-by-Doing” project with a simple yet powerful goal: to enable the communities of Dublin 7 to build the capacity to run a cooperative capable of undertaking ambitious climate action. Named for its intent to spark change and ignite climate consciousness, The Spark leverages a unique member-owned philosophy that underpins the essence of Bohemian FC.
This philosophy is now being extended to the climate action arena, marking a fresh chapter in the club’s storied history. The consortium behind this ground-breaking initiative includes an impressive line-up of community partners. Sustainable Energy Communities in Phibsborough, Cabra, and Stoneybatter, three communities in the vicinity of Dalymount Park where Bohs play their home games, along with Stoneybatter Pride of Place will ensure that community voices are at the heart of the project.
Institutional partners include Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman Development Agency, Neighbourhood Network, the Football Association of Ireland, Rothar, and Mountjoy Prison. This array of partners have all joined forces with Bohemian FC to power The Spark project.
The activities set to be undertaken within The Spark’s lifespan are as diverse as they are impactful. The project will develop training programs in solar installation and retrofitting, turning community members into green energy advocates and practitioners. It will also trial a bike library and a library-of-things, promoting sustainability and circular economy principles within the community.
Furthermore, The Spark will create a shared cooperative workspace, encouraging collaboration and synergies between different sustainability-focused projects and groups. In an inclusive and forward-thinking move, the project will also work with prisoners and asylum seekers, ensuring all sections of the community are included in the climate action movement. Lastly, an afterschool programme is set to engage children in sustainability issues, nurturing a new generation of climate-aware individuals.
The Spark has received €500,000 in grant funding from the Community Climate Action Fund, an initiative of the Government of Ireland. With The Spark, Bohemian Football Club is proving that sports clubs can be far more than just a source of local pride and entertainment. They can be agents of change, catalysts for environmental stewardship, and platforms for community empowerment. As the Bohemian Climate Cooperative takes root and flourishes, it’s clear that the world of football is transforming, and with it, the communities it touches.
