Annaduff

Happy New Year to all PPN Member groups

How can the PPN support your groups this coming year?

• Sign up for free training advertised throughout the year
• Come along to a Linkage Groups (Special Interest group) meeting to have your voice heard and input into council committees like the LCDC, SPC, JPC, Peaceplus
• Attend one of our Plenary Meetings (May & Nov) where there will be a guest speaker and information stands and hear of the work of the PPN
• We can advertise your events to almost 400 groups in Leitrim – send your posters to info@leitrimppn.ie or through the website contact page
• We will be engaging more with PPN Reps – offering training and mentoring and setting up a Reps Forum – please engage
• Don’t miss our fortnightly e bulletin full of funding, training, consultations, submissions, surveys and community news (emailed to all groups and available on the website www.leitrimppn.ie)
• Feel free to email info@leitrimppn.ie with any queries you may have

PPN Annual Report 2022

The PPN Annual Report 2022 is live on the departments website. 

Upcoming Meetings

• Mon 22nd Jan Secretariat meeting 7pm on zoom
• Wed 24th Jan Climate Action, Environment, Heritage, Biodiversity & Agriculture Linkage Group meeting 7pm in Leitrim Development Company, Drumshanbo
• Wed 7th Feb Planning, Transport and Housing Linkage Group 7pm, in Leitrim Development Company, Drumshanbo

Great opportunity for our Leitrim PPN members!

Adrian Langan

Workshop: Making Great Pitches and Presentations Thurs 22nd Feb 2024 in Leitrim Development Company

Time: Half day 9.30am-1pm

Numbers: Up to 20

 

Great opportunity for our Leitrim PPN members!

Do you find it hard to describe what your organisation does? Are you fearful of presentations and dread the prospect of talking in front of a group? Well, fear no more! PR Consultant Adrian Langan will teach you how to pitch and present perfectly to any audience. We are running a FREE training session with Adrian where you will learn how to communicate your ideas effectively. You will come away from the session with a series of tips and techniques to improve and enhance your performance, leaving your audience in no doubt of what you wanted them to hear. Book now by e mail info@leitrimppn.ie

Leitrim PPN secretariat meet six times a year, Leitrim PPN Secretariat members are:

Name                             Pillar                         Organisation/Group

 

Brigid McGourty             Social Inclusion            North Leitrim Women’s Group

Aedín McLoughlin           Environment                Good Energies Alliance Ireland

Joan Regan                   Community/ Voluntary  Breffni FSC

Bernie Dolan                 Community/ Voluntary  Carrigallen GAA

Olivia Fitzgerald Murphy Social Inclusion            Rossinver Community Development

Patrick Mc Greevy          Ballinamore MD            Keshcarrigan Dev Association

Gerry Creamer              Manorhamilton MD        Caislean Hamilton CLG

Brian Smyth                  Environment                 The Organic Centre

Vacant                          Carrick on Shannon MD                                

Upcoming work this year 

• Establishment of a Strategic Plan for Leitrim PPN and organisation of PPN Representatives Training & Mentoring - 9 months programme to assist PPN reps.
• Full workplan will be circulated to all groups in the coming weeks.

Applications open: Cruinniú na nÓg - A day of free creativity for young people Saturday 15th June 2024

Call for Applications

 

Do you have an exciting idea for a creative project/event for children and young people that you would like to see happen?

This year Cruinniú na nÓg - the national day of creativity for children and young people – is going to be bigger than ever before and right now we are encouraging children’s groups, arts centres or any organisation that works with young people to apply for funding to develop a project that allows children and young people to explore, enhance or celebrate their own creativity for free.

 

Deadline: 10th March 2024

Tesco Ireland's Community Fund

Tesco Ireland's Community Fund financially supports local charities and causes right across Ireland.

 

Every 12 weeks, each Tesco store donates up to €2,000 between three local good causes in its community. 

 

Your community group can apply at Carrick on Shannon or Ballinamore branch of Tesco.

Local Enhancement Programme 2024

€6 million in capital funding has been announced under the Local Enhancement Programme 2024.

 

This funding will provide capital supports essential for many small community groups, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas.

 

LCDC Area DRCD €99,775.36        LEP Allocation Women’s Groups €19,955.07  Total Allocation Leitrim €119,730.43

 

Introduction of a new pilot Nurturing Skills Learner Fund

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, has today announced the introduction of a new Nurturing Skills Learner Fund on a pilot basis, co-funded by the European Union through the EIST programme 2021 to 2027.

The new Nurturing Skills Learner Fund will support early years educators to undertake approved degree-level qualifications while continuing to work in the early learning and care (ELC) sector. It aims to help achieve the Government objective of achieving a graduate-led workforce in ELC services by 2028.

Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs Failte Ireland Funding

The purpose of the scheme is to deliver grant-aid to private and community-based micro enterprises and SMEs to help them improve the quality of the visitor experience with the ambition of attracting more visitors, increasing their dwell time, and securing overnight stays in the region because the visitor has confidence that there’s lots to see and do.

Digital Transformation (Category 4) - Deadline: 31st January 2024

Category 1, 2, 3 + 5 - Deadline: 30th June 2024

€30,000 Sponsorship Programme for Novice Angler Initiatives - Deadline Approaching

Inland Fisheries Ireland has announced details of its €30k Sponsorship Programme for 2024.

 

The programme is one of the main funding mechanisms used by Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) to promote sustainable angling in Ireland.

 

The fund will have a particular focus on promoting sustainable angling tourism in rural areas while also supporting initiatives aimed at beginners and young anglers.

 

Angling clubs, groups and associations nationwide are now invited to apply for sponsorship funding before the January 19th 2024 application deadline.

New year, new programme! - Movement for Good

Movement for Good giving programme is back with awards of £1,000 and £5,000 to give to charities helping those in need.

2023 nominations are not carried over, so please nominate your favourite charity to get them in the running.

£1,000 draws - first winners announced 2nd February

 

If you entered in 2023 - thank you! Be sure to nominate again in the 2024 programme to get your favourite charity or charities in the running for this year’s £1,000 draws.

There are six £1,000 draws this year so nominate early and your favourite charity will be automatically included in all 6. The first winners will be announced on 2nd February.

Once you’ve nominated, please share and get your network to support too – it only takes a minute and the more nominations your charity gets, the greater their chance of winning.

 

It’s one nomination per charity, per person so if you have more than one favourite, get them in the running today!

£5,000 limited time themed draws

 

There will be five special draws this year with 10 awards of £5,000 in each one.

 

They are limited time draws that run over 5 days only.

 

The first £5,000 special draw will be for charities supporting Animals & Wildlife - nominations open on 19th February so sign up here to make sure you're kept notified.

Applications are open for the Creative Youth on a Shared Island Funding Scheme

The Shared Island-dimension of the Creative Ireland Programme wants to explore creative opportunities for young people to connect.
 The scheme seeks to reach children and young people across the island of Ireland.  Our aim is to harness the experience and expertise of organisations working in the creative, cultural, arts, community and youth sectors to engage young people. Together we can bring children and young people together and nurture a sense of collaboration, understanding and hope for the future, through a creative medium.

They are seeking projects from partnerships that are of significant scale and ambition. Applications should have at least one partner based in each jurisdiction. Grant funding of up to €180,000 will be awarded to at least 3 projects. It is envisaged that at least one grant will be awarded to a partnership that targets seldom heard children and young people. The projects should run between June 2024 to December 2025.

Applications must be completed online and submitted via Submit.com by 25th March 2024. 

 

Opportunities to Receive Further Information and Network
Creative Ireland will be holda an info and networking session online. This will comprise of a presentation of the fund, Q&A, and the opportunity for applicants to talk to potential partners from across the Island in order to collaborate on their projects. This will take place on the 18th Jan.

1916 Bursary Now Open

Applications for the 1916 Bursary are now open across participating institutions.  

The bursary aims to encourage participation and success by students who are most socio-economic disadvantaged and from groups most under-represented in higher education.

Deadline: 25th January 2024

Spark Youth Arts Festival

SPARK are delighted to announce that the SPARK Youth Arts Festival 2024 will take place from Feb 19th - 24th!

SPARK Youth Arts Festival is a national event to explore, discuss and celebrate the inspiring world of youth arts practice in Ireland. Take part and spark your interest in developing youth arts activities with young people and embedding youth arts practice in your work!

The thematic focus of the 2024 festival is celebrating and promoting Inclusion in youth arts. Creating space to share good practice, learn and take positive action to collaboratively work towards a more culturally inclusive youth arts community.

An exciting programme is currently being developed, including: webinars, panel discussions & case studies, youth arts training, a youth arts advocacy event for young people (18-25), the SPARK Mini-Grant scheme, and a showcasing event for youth arts projects which will culminate with the launch of the Artist and Youth Work Residency Grant Scheme for 2024!

Booking will open shortly and further information will be available from the National Youth Arts Programme webpage.

 

SPARK Mini-Grant worth €300: Applications now open!

NYCI’s National Youth Arts Programme is delighted to invite applications for SPARK Mini-Grants worth €300!

 

The Mini-Grants aim to support youth arts taster workshops for young people aged 10 to 25 in youth work and non-formal education settings – sparking young people’s interest in new art forms and ideas as well as supporting new working relationships with local artists! This year, in keeping with the thematic focus of the 2024 festival, the SPARK mini-grant is also focused on promoting Inclusion!

 

Rhona (rhona@nyci.ie ) or Nora (nora@nyci.ie) if you have any questions or need any further information!

Deadline: 29th January

2024 Health For All Film Festival

Pick a Health category:

 

• Universal Health Coverage
• Health Emergencies
• Better Health & Well-being
• Physical Activity & Health
• Migrants and Refugees Health
• Student Film Prize
• Very Short Film Prize

Deadline: 31st January 2024

€7.7m in funding for organisations supporting victims of crime

• Funding for 70 organisations
• Most will now receive their funds through Cuan.
• Funding will support services for victims of crime.

European Innovation Partnership on Breeding Waders

The deadline for the call for proposals for a European Innovation Partnership on Breeding Waders has been extended.

 

Deadline: 30th January 2024.

Coimisiún na Meán opens public consultation on Ireland’s first Online Safety Code

Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s new body for regulating broadcasters, on-demand services, and online media, and supporting media development, has opened a public consultation on its draft Online Safety Code for video-sharing platform services.

Irish Garden Bird Survey

Between December and February each year, BirdWatch Ireland asks members of the public to keep note of the highest number of each bird species visiting their garden
every week. They also ask for information on the size of the garden being surveyed, the kinds of food, if any, being offered to the birds, and so on. Taking part is fun, easy and a great way to get to know your garden birds better; it also makes for an ideal school project. As the Irish countryside changes, gardens are becoming increasingly important havens for many species, and it is vital ecologists to know
how their populations are faring.

QQI Level 4 Horticulture Course, Drumshanbo commencing in February

Leitrim Development Company are currently recruiting for QQI Level 4 full time Horticulture Course based in Drumshanbo.  

For more information contact Jeanette on 071 9641770 (ext.210)/ Jeanette@ldco.ie or Linda 086 2031664/LindaLogan@msletb.ie.

Performing Arts School for people aged 18 and over with intellectual disabilities

Applications are now open for any aspiring artists with an intellectual disability to enrol in our 3-year course that focuses on QQI programmes and Life Skills.

Candidates must be able to commit to 4 days per week over three years.

Irish Hospice Foundation invites you to a Skills Exchange in Letterkenny

Two days of skills and information exchange for those working with or interested in working with people affected by dying, death, grief and loss, using creative practices.
 
Taking place on Saturday January 27th and Friday February 9th in Letterkenny, Co Donegal prompted by three questions:

How do we best support people receiving bad news or who are bereaved?

What are the roles for arts and creativity?

How might this be offered at individual, community and systemic level?

Bat Conservation Ireland’s Online Training Platform

Bat Conservation Ireland have just launched our Online Training Platform, with their first course being provided free of charge. If you are interested in learning more about bats, their ecology and habitats, this is a great introduction.

The Community Load Fund in Action

We help turn good ideas into great communities. Many community groups and social enterprises in the Western Region have excellent ideas about how they can improve the socio-economic lives of their communities. The Community Loan Fund was developed to give these groups access to the capital they need to help them turn those ideas into reality.

Free Travel Scheme

From July 2024, the Free Travel Scheme will be extended to people who are medically certified unfit to drive.

Some Good News..

January cost of living bonus will be paid to most people who get a long-term weekly social welfare payment including all pensioners, carers and people on disability payments week commencing 29 January 2024

€12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of all state pensions from January 2024.

€12 increase in weekly social welfare payments from January 2024.

Age Friendly Community Innovation Award 

Congratulations to Sweeter the Tune, Annaduff Active Age Group, Drumkeerin Friendship Club and Mohill Active Age Group from Leitrim PPN Staff & Secretariat

who won Age Friendly Community Innovation Fund award Sponsored by Department of Rural and Community Development.

 

Teagasc Forestry Advisory Clinics

Teagasc will run a large number of one-to-one forestry advisory clinics nationwide in January and February, providing landowners with a free, private consultation with an experienced forestry adviser. These clinics are starting next week and will be held in Teagasc offices around the country.

 

Please bring maps and other relevant information on the day to optimise your advisory experience and outcome.

The focus of these clinics will be on the tree planting options under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 as a sustainable and rewarding land use option on Irish farms. The Forestry Programme offers landowners a range of outstanding options to establish a forest supported by attractive grants and annual premiums.
A land use change to forestry, like any new farm enterprise, will raise many questions. A consultation with your Teagasc forestry adviser will provide independent and objective advice, empowering you to make informed decisions on many relevant issues including the following:

• Options available under the Native Tree Area Scheme and Afforestation Scheme
• Opportunity to consider your objectives
• Available grants and premiums
• Interaction with other farm schemes, e.g. BISS, CRISS or ACRES
• How forestry can improve your farm income as well as the local environment
• How to apply and get the job done right first time

Although the emphasis for the upcoming clinics is on new planting; existing forest owners, regardless of what stage their forest is at, can also avail of this opportunity to pick up valuable management tips.

 

Prior booking of a consultation in your local Teagasc office is essential: book your appointment by ringing the number listed below. 

Leitrim, Mohill (N41 W580), Thursday 8 February, 071-9631076

Free entry for those with disabilities and their accompanying carers to all OPW sites

OPW offer free entry for those with disabilities and their accompanying carers at all of their heritage sites where an admission charge applies.

What would you like to see prioritised in The Wheel’s election campaigns in 2024?

As we approach the local and European elections in 2024, and with a general election on the horizon, The Wheel want to hear from you about the issues that matter most to your organisation. 

This is an opportunity for you to voice your policy priorities, discuss the challenges your organisation faces, and help guide the shape of The Wheel’s election campaigns. Your insights are invaluable in helping understand what members need from policymakers. 

You are warmly invited to participate, especially those who might not normally take part in these kinds of events. Whether you're a one-person community group or a nationwide charity, your perspective is crucial to this discussion. 

To ensure as many people as possible can participate, The Wheel will be hosting the event twice – once during the day and once in the evening. The townhall will be held via Zoom and facilitated to ensure an open and productive dialogue. 

Morning Session: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM - 23 January

Evening Session: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM -24 January

Both sessions will follow the same format, simply email info@leitrimppn.ie 

with your name, organisation name and whichever session you wish to join & we will forward you the link.

Draft Traveller Accommodation Programme 2025 to 2029

Leitrim County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, as amended by the Housing (Misc Provisions) Act 2009 hereby gives notice that it intends to prepare a Draft Traveller Accommodation Programme for the period 2025 – 2029. In this regard and in accordance with Section 6 of the 1998 Housing Act, the Housing Department will carry out an assessment of existing and projected housing needs for members of the Traveller Community.

If you or your organisation wish to make a submission in writing in relation to the new programme, please forward your submission by email or in writing to the Eamonn Cunningham Traveller Liaison Officer on or before Friday 9th February 2024.

If you have any queries,please do not hesitate to contact Eamonn on 071 96 20005 Ext. 259 or eamonncunningham@leitrimcoco.ie.

Raingardens
11.00-13.00, 19th January 2024
Online via Zoom

Are you interested in raingardens, rainwater harvesting and sustainability?
Please join Power to Change for an online seminar with Aoife Munn to learn about the important role of raingardens in our response to climate change. 
You will also learn about the additional benefits for biodiversity and healthier spaces for mental and physical wellbeing that raingardens provide. 

€200,000 funding for support placements on social farms for people with disabilities

The Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, has today announced new funding of €200,000 in 2024 for the Social Farming Ireland Programme for support placements on social farms for people with disabilities. Social farming offers individuals the opportunity to spend time on a family farm in a healthy, supportive and inclusive environment. Funding provided in 2023 supported 2,200 placement days for 203 people with disabilities on 60 social farms throughout Ireland.

Supporting Parents

Parenting is both rewarding and challenging, but no matter how experienced you are, all parents will benefit from a little support and advice. The Supporting Parents initiative is bringing together trusted, high quality information and advice in one place, to help you navigate your parenting journey.

The upper age for TFI Young Adult Leap Card applicants has now increased to 25 years of age

Young Adults aged 19-25 or Students in third level education can now get 50% off public transport fares using a TFI Young Adult or Student Leap Card.

Previously, the age limit for TFI Young Adult Leap Card applicants was capped at 23. With this new age increase, a new cohort of applicants are now eligible to apply for cheaper travel.

If your Public Services Card photo is over 10 years old, you will need to renew online