Community Information Fair Thurs 26th Oct

As part of the Healthy Leitrim Programme - An Garda Síochána Community Engagement & Crime Prevention Units are working with Leitrim PPN, Leitrim Development Company and Leitrim County Council to host a Community Information Event similar to the very successful one in March which was in the Bee Park.

 

The aim of the event is to inform people of the services and activities that are available in their areas. The focus of this event is aimed at all members of the community.

  

The event will take place on Thursday 26th October from 11.00am to 2.00pm at The Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, you can pick up valuable information on services in your community, avail of free health checks, pick up a goodie bag (goods worth €30), take part in an exercise class and join us for tea/coffee and food.

All welcome

Leitrim PPN Plenary (Gathering of Community Groups) Mon 13th Nov 7pm Bee Park Community Centre

Plenaries are an opportunity for PPN member groups to meet, network and have a say on the work of the PPN.

What happens at a Plenary meeting? 

• Plenary meetings are an opportunity for all members of Leitrim PPN to meet, share ideas and exchange information.
• At the Plenary members are updated on what the PPN has been doing over the past 6 months and what it aims to achieve in the future.
• There will be a presentation from Orla Casey on the Bestie Project, with the focus on how it can help groups like active age, senior citizens, ICA, and ideas on how these groups can access training or overcome digital and social exclusion.  
• There will also be a presentation from the new Community Climate Action Officer in LCC.
• The new Leitrim PPN website will also be launched at this gathering.
• The Plenary meeting is also an opportunity for members to find out about issues and activities relating to the community and voluntary, social inclusion and environmental sphere of County Leitrim.
• Food will be served - register by emailing info@leitrimppn.ie 

Leitrim PPN attend National Conference

Thank you to Wicklow PPN who helped to make the National PPN Conference such a success. To experience the energy and commitment of people to the principles and work of PPNs from across the Country was inspirational. So much information and ideas shared, and contacts made.

Leitrim PPN had 4 delegates attend.

FINAL Chance to Register 

Upcoming Free Strategic Planning Training for PPN Members

 

Strategic Planning - in person from 10 to 1 – facilitated by Orla Leydon Office & Training Solutions in The Bee Park, Manorhamilton on Tue 24th Oct – to register e-mail info@leitrimppn.ie.

Useful Info for your Group

• Most public benefit organizations are established as one of the following legal forms:
• An unincorporated association;
• A trust; or
• A company limited by guarantee (CLG).
• An organisation in any of these forms, in turn, can qualify for charitable tax exemption if it meets particular requirements.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from all at Leitrim PPN.

Love Where You Live 2023 Winners & Runners Up

Best Kept Estates

 

Runner Up Ballinamore Municipal District

Barleyfield Resident’s Association, Carrigallen

€150 Prize Money

 

Winner Ballinamore Municipal District

The Willow’s Residents Association, Ballinamore

€400 Prize Money

 

Runner Up Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District

Ard na Cuan Residents Association, Dromod

€150 Prize Money

 

Winner Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District

The Townspark Residents Association, Carrick-on-Shannon

€400 Prize Money

 

Runner up Manorhamilton Municipal District

Drumlease Residents Association, Dromahaire

€150 Prize Money

 

Winner Manorhamilton Municipal District

Cois na nAbhainn Residents Association, Kityclogher

€400 Prize Money

 

Heritage

 

Runner Up Ballinamore Municipal District

Ballinamore/Mohill Greenway Community Action Group

Presentation Peace Plus Voucher

 

Winner Ballinamore Municipal District

Maureen Martin

Presentation Piece plus Voucher

 

Runner Up Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District

Edwina Guckian

Presentation Piece plus Voucher

 

Winner Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District

Fionnuala Maxwell

Presentation Piece plus Voucher

 

Runner up Manorhamilton Municipal District

Margaret Connolly

Presentation Piece Plus Voucher

 

Winner Manorhamilton Municipal District

The late Gerry Finneran R.I.P

Presentation Piece

 

Cleaner & Greener

 

Runner Up Ballinamore Municipal District

Ballinamore Tidy Town’s

€150 Prize Money

 

Winner Ballinamore Municipal District

Carrigallen Tidy Town’s

€400 Prize Money

 

Runner Up Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District

Leitrim Village Development Association

€150 Prize Money

 

Winner Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District

Mohill Community Network

€400 Prize Money

 

Runner up Manorhamilton Municipal District

Dromahair Residents Association

€150 Prize Money

 

Winner Manorhamilton Municipal District

Kiltyclogher Community Garden

€400 Prize Money

The Children’s Rights Leadership Fund, supported by The Community Foundation

16 grants of up to €3,000 for Child Rights Alliance members to develop leadership and capacity.

 

Please submit applications to members@childrensrights.ie

 

Deadline: Fri 20th October

Freedom from Fear Fund

The Freedom From Fear Fund will seek to address the issue of gender-based violence from both a preventative and protective lens.

 

Recognising that we cannot separate the root causes of violence from its impact, this Fund will work to protect survivors from violence and prevent gender-based violence from occurring.

 

What does this fund offer?

 

• Cash grants up to €25,000* for 6 months.

 

• Project performance management

 

Deadline: 19th October.

Phase III of the Sports Energy Support Scheme Open for Applications

This grant supports sports clubs and organisations with the increased energy costs associated with the provision of sport.

 

Sports Energy Support Scheme will allow publicly accessible Swimming Pools to apply for funding.

Opened to commercial and non-community owned facilities that continue to provide swimming lessons and swimming times to schools, clubs, and the general public.

 

Deadline: 25th October 2023.

Native Tree Area Scheme

The aim of the Native Tree Area Scheme is to provide support for the creation of small native forests on farms. Two scenarios can be considered:

NTA 1 - Creation of small native forests

Supports the establishment of new native forests on farmed land. Grant Rates (excluding fencing) €/ha €6,744

 

NTA 2 - Creation of small native forests for water protection

Supports the establishment of new native forests alongside streams, rivers and lakes protecting and enhancing water quality and aquatic habitats. Grant Rates (excluding fencing)€6,744

New Media Funding Calls Now Open!

MEDIA Prog EU open funding calls include TV & Online Content, European Slate Development, Video Games & Immersive Content, and more.

 

Deadline: 7th December 2023

€2.18m funding announced to strengthen the Irish language in schools

Funding of €2.18 million to strengthen and expand the Gaelbhratach scheme. Gaelbhratach is a support scheme, administered by Gael Linn, for schools across Ireland.

 

Gaelbhratach focuses on the promotion of the Irish language in a structured, planned and enjoyable way in both primary and secondary schools

With the additional funding that has now been approved, Gaelbhratach will have the opportunity to appoint additional staff and attend many more schools around the country.

 

133 primary schools and 126 post-primary schools are currently involved in the scheme, and it is expected that these numbers will increase significantly with the additional funding being approved.

Creative Communities on a Shared Island

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Culture Minister Catherine Martin have recently announced that 9 successful projects have been awarded funding under the Creative Communities on a #SharedIsland funding scheme.

 

Highlights:

€850,000 for new cross-border creative initiatives.

2 key projects receive €250,000 each for large-scale music, dance and crafting initiatives to be delivered over 2 years.

7 awards of €50,000 for more focused projects that include the development of an all-island Lace Trail, cross-border Dementia Choir Recitals, farm walks and talks in Leitrim and Fermanagh and creative exchanges between Belfast and West Cork.

 

Leitrim County Council - Farm Walks will co-create a programme of activities with farming groups in Leitrim and Fermanagh to address issues that rural communities on both sides of the border share. The project is supported by Leitrim Sustainable Agriculture Group, Ulster Wildlife, Leitrim County Council’s Arts Office and Heritage Office and The Dock Arts Centre, with action research and evaluation experts TIALT.

Applications for Project Awards

Applications for Project Awards, for projects commencing on or after 1 March 2024 through to 31 December 2024, are now open.

 

Deadline: 16 Nov 

Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland Movement for Good

Applications for the Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland Movement for Good £1,000 grant draw are open.

 

Deadline: December 17th  

 

€3 billion fund for climate and nature projects

The Environmental Pillar, Ireland’s environmental NGO advocacy coalition, has welcomed the commitment to a €3 billion fund for investing in climate and nature projects announced in Budget 2024.

The Environmental Pillar also welcomed the fact that the funds, which will be made available  between 2026 and 2030, are in addition to funding already earmarked for climate and nature in the National Development Plan. 

However, while the exact projects that will be funded have not yet been decided, the Environmental Pillar said that projects to restore nature, address the biodiversity crisis and decline in water quality will require increased personnel in State agencies with expertise in climate, ecology, water quality and other related sciences and expertise.

St Stephen’s Green Trust: Traveller Accommodation - Small Grants Scheme

St Stephen’s Green Trust is strategically committed to supporting the provision of

culturally appropriate, secure, quality accommodation for Travellers by strengthening

organising and campaigning.

As part of this work, SSGT is currently offering small grants of up to €6,000 with the

aim of supporting groups who are leading on the issue of Traveller accommodation to

accelerate and strengthen their campaign work.

 

Deadline: Sunday 22nd October

Of Particular Interest to the Carrick-On-Shannon MD Area

Leitrim County Council is currently putting together plans to redevelop the premises previously known as Colemans on Main Street, Carrick on Shannon as a Community & Youth Arts facility.
As part of that, Leitrim County Council is looking to ascertain the need for such spaces in Carrick on Shannon, how these needs are currently being met, what activities this space could accommodate, and what other spaces might be required to meet community needs.
They welcome and greatly appreciate your time in completing this short survey, and if you would like to be kept informed of progress or like further information, please indicate that at the bottom of the survey.

National Counter Disinformation Strategy

A new national strategy is being developed which aims to combat the harmful effects of disinformation

 

Deadline: 20 October.

Planning, Housing & Transport Linkage Group Survey

A Survey examining the important issues around Planning, Housing & Transport in Leitrim and an opportunity to get involved with the Planning, Housing & Transport Linkage Group.

AILG Cites ‘Democratic Deficit’ In Irish Local Government System 

The AILG (Association of Irish Local Government) has expressed major concerns to the Council of Europe (COE) and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE) that Ireland has the most centralised system of local government compared to its European counterparts in terms of powers, functions,
service delivery and funding. AILG submitted its independent report to a CLRAE European Monitoring Committee during its recent visit to review Ireland, where they examined specific issues related to local & Regional democracy. 

FREE' workshop with Leitrim DPO Theatre of the Oppressed

Leitrim Disabled Persons' Organisation (DPO) advocacy actors returned after their Summer 'break' to Manorhamilton's The Glens Centre recently. The actors are knuckling-down with ILMI's DPO Development Officer Peter Kearns to script their Theatre-of-the Oppressed social model drama shorts on disabling barriers experienced by adults with the impairment-label of 'ID'. The actors from north Leitrim are busy rehearsing towards their first public theatre performance at the Glens Centre Manorhamilton (free admission) Wednesday 22nd November at 1pm to 2pm, lunch refreshments provided.
As can be seen with the photos accompanying this piece, Leitrim DPO actors have already performed one of their short dramas at the NW Drugs & Alcohol Taskforce day-long late September workshop to the comrades in Sligo DPO. The November 22nd lunchtime performance is aimed at getting Taskforce, councillors, Development Company SICAP staff and disabled people coming-up with social model solutions in the one-hour audience inter-active show to launch the local DPO's 'crisis & opportunities' short touring plays. The actors will then take the show on tour around Leitrim to TY classes, community groups and day-centres to recruit more Leitrim DPO members and spread the social model narratives of lived experience expert stories, regardless of perceived impairment 'labels'.
The actors are also hosting an 'open' workshop at Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, 10am to 12pm on Tuesday 24th October as part of Leitrim Development Company's Social Inclusion Week. The fun session will also be about Independent Living Movement Ireland Irl. local DPO supports. The 'FREE' workshop will explore Theatre of the Oppressed with disabled adults and will be facilitated by ILMI's Disabled Persons' Org. (DPO) Development Officer Peter Kearns. It is open to all, especially disabled adults, and more details contact peterkearns@ilmi.ie

IMAGE: Photo shows three Leitrim DPO actors Catherine, Mary & Kate rehearsing a clinical scene of 'oppression' with ILMI's Peter Kearns as the 'Joker' on Glens Theatre stage with silhouette of DPO members as practicing audience in foreground

Strengthening Capacity in the Community Work Sector

Climate Justice are delighted to announce an event that CWI is organising with the Feminist Communities for Climate Justice project and in association with the All Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work Education and Training, the Department of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University, ILDN and the Community Development Programme Network.
The event, Climate Justice: Strengthening Capacity in the Community Work Sector will see to provide an opportunity for learning, networking and action.
Registration is open to all community workers, community work organisations and all those interested in promoting, engaging with and integrating climate justice in their work.

Wednesday November 8th in the F2 Rialto from 9.15am.

Free Literacy Awareness Training for the Community and Voluntary Sector

The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) is hosting a free four-part webinar series for people working in the community and voluntary sector.
NALA will discuss ways of helping communities to support people with literacy needs.  The webinars will cover topics like raising literacy awareness, using literacy friendly approaches, health literacy and plain English.
If you attend all four webinars in this series you will get a NALA certificate of completion.

Social Inclusion Week

Leitrim Development Company, Leitrim County Council, Leitrim International Community Group, Independent Living Movement Ireland and Leitrim Disabled Persons Organisation, WCI North Leitrim Women’s Centre, Breffni Family Support Centre and Mohill Family Support Centre, Leitrim PPN and a number of community organisations will be hosting events in Leitrim over the course of Leitrim Inclusion Week 2023 from the 23rd to the 27th of October

Register to Vote

Do you want to vote?  You must register to do so.  
Moved address?  You must update your registration.
Now most people can register online!

Rural Ideas Forum

'Place-making and Place-shaping in Rural Ireland' is the theme of an upcoming Rural Ideas Forum, which will be held in Thurles on 27 October.

As The Department of Rural and Community Development continue to implement the Town Centre First policy, they would like you to join them to explore how the policy can provide a framework for embracing these concepts in Rural Ireland.

Rural Communities urged to support Community Alert Month

This month is national Community Alert Month and over 1,000 Community Alert groups around the country are being encouraged to participate.

Community Alert is a crime prevention and safety programme run by Muintir na Tíre, in partnership with An Garda Síochána.  Examples of activities carried out by Community Alert groups include: Text Alert; Seniors Alert Scheme (socially monitored alarms); Bottle in the Fridge; Personal Information Pack; and property recording.

 

Would you like to take part in The Island Theatre, Ballinamore Christmas Fair 2023?

Develop a Biodiversity Action Plan 

What does a Biodiversity Action Plan look like? What can be included, and what resources are there to help? The National Biodiversity Data Centre has launched a new website that answers these questions! Find Biodiversity Action Plans from different counties, from community groups, and from councils. Also, on the website are loads of resources to help you in planning and implementing actions. Use the Biodiversity Fund, detailed in the Funding Opportunities section below, to source an ecologist to help you write your plan, or to carry out the actions in your plan. If hedgerows are a part of your plan, why not join us on October 15th to learn how to plan, plant and maintain it in the years to come?

Aughnasheelin Foróige Club

Aughnasheelin Foróige Club are looking for new leaders who will be responsible for the supervision of young people during the club meeting. The main role of a volunteer Is to act as a guide, a mentor and a facilitator. Volunteer leaders make it possible for young people to socialise safely, try new things, develop their confidence and self reliance, have a voice, get involved in the community and have lots of fun. 

National Social Enterprise Conference 2023

On Thursday 16th November in person and online

The Department of Rural and Community Development is delighted to invite you to

the 5th Annual National Social Enterprise Conference which will take place on

International Social Enterprise Day (Thursday, 16th November, 2023).This event will

be held in-person in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe. Co. Galway and will also be

virtually live-streamed.

The Conference aims at providing networking opportunities, disseminating

information, sharing experience and informing policy implementation.

Free books for all children aged 0-4!

All library books are free, but these Little Library Bedtime Books are free to keep!

All you have to do is pop by your local library to collect it. Simple!

Hopefully it will help parents and children to read together at bedtime, which is great for wellbeing and development.

Plus, little ones will get a special wallet to keep their very own library card in so they can keep coming back to borrow more free books!

Climate Action Week 2023!

It's finally time for Ireland's seventh Climate Action Week!!

Climate Action Week will run from October 16th to 22nd 2023.

#ClimatePledge Online Competition

We want to encourage everyone in Ireland to keep the climate conversation alive and take the next step in their climate action journey, wherever that may be. We have some incredible prizes with €500 in vouchers for…Thriftify, Seedsavers, Rothar, Reuzi and Veganic!

Simply share a #ClimatePledge on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – there’s 18 to choose from, so something for everyone! 
Entries will open from Monday 16th until Friday 20th October and can be submitted by tagging @ClimateAmbassador, and using the hashtag #ClimateActionWeek or #ClimatePledge.

Teagasc Forestry Photo Competition

Celebrating The New Forestry Programme 2023-2027' is a three-themed competition that will focus on the multi-functional nature of forests. 

Leitrim Community Volunteers

Leitrim Community Volunteers are giving the common areas of St. Patrick's Community Hospital, Carrick-On-Shannon a beautiful face lift with the help of their fantastic Community Artists. We would welcome any vintage items, old wheelbarrows or old bicycles. Please call 085 1493462 for more information.

Quad User Requirements from 20th November 

Tipping your quad can lead to serious injury or death.  From the 20th November 2023, it will be compulsory for quad bike users to wear a helmet and undergo appropriate training. 

Tourism Workshop

Leitrim Tourism are having an event on Friday 17th November from 9:30 to 2:00 at the Carrick Campus in Carrick on Shannon. 

Official Launch of the Tourism in Leitrim Review and Framework: 2023 - 2027. 

Particularly of interest to those with an interest in tourism and hospitality.

 

Any queries direct to pfoley@leitrimcoco.ie.

National Fire Safety Week Campaign Asks People to Look Out for Vulnerable Neighbours

SAVE THE DATE! We're heading to the Northwest! 

If you're hosting displaced Ukrainians in the northwest of the country, come along to our Host Information Roadshow to celebrate your experience with local hosts and receive support from our team! Sligo - 19th October 7-9pm in the Radisson Blu Hotel