In an era of accelerating coastal erosion, a project is taking root on the shores of Ireland: Dune Action: Scaling for All-Ireland Impact. This initiative is a movement to empower Ireland’s coastal communities to become the front line in the fight for climate resilience, championing sustainable, nature-based solutions over costly, high-carbon engineering like sea walls.
Building on Success
The need for this project was clearly identified by a significant gap in education about dune management among communities and local authorities. A 2024 pilot course, “Beaches and Dunes for Climate Adaptation”, funded by Pobal and delivered across five sites to 111 participants, proved the program’s potential. An overwhelming 95% of participants felt empowered to take local action after completing the course, highlighting the urgent need for practical guidance. Now, the enhanced Dune Action course is expanding nationwide, aiming to reach all 17 coastal counties. The project is led by ACT, an award-winning Green Transition social enterprise, in partnership with experts such as Leave No Trace Ireland, the University of Galway, University College Dublin, and Clean Coasts.
The Vision
The project will train 15 trainers, or “Dune Champions”, to ensure the program’s long-term scalability and regional ownership. Following this ‘train the trainer’ model, the team will deliver 12 on-site training courses across Ireland, involving over 240 participants. These courses will implement 1,200m² of nature-based solutions and empower 17 dune action groups to combat erosion.
A Model for the Green Transition
By embedding knowledge and stewardship within communities and fostering strong regional networks, the Dune Action Training Course is positioning Ireland as a leader in coastal climate adaptation. The ultimate goal is to establish a lasting legacy of coastal stewardship and resilience, equipping people with the tools to safeguard Ireland’s coastal future while driving the Green Transition.
