Foggy morning in Glencar image taken by Ágnes Molnár 

Making Great Pitches & Presentations

Adrian Langan will be providing this course to those who signed up on Thurs 22nd Feb in Drumshanbo, if you registered and can't attend please let us know asap as there is a waiting list - many thanks.

The PPN Team

 

Successful Information Evenings

Leitrim County Council held a Community Funding Information Session on 1st February in Drumshanbo, the PPN were in attendance.

 

Note funding streams and deadlines – please share with your groups

• Local Enhancement Programme – closing date 18th Feb
• Community Climate Action Fund – closing date 28th Feb
• Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 – closing 10th March
• Creative Communities Open – closing 17th March

 

The Planning, Transport & Housing Linkage Group had a meeting on Wed 7th in LDCO (great attendance 23 people) and had Shane Mulvey Vacant Homes Officer present on the following:-

 

• Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
• Repair & Lease
• Buy & Renew

 

Launch of Local Economic Community Plan

Leitrim PPN attended the launch of the LECP last week.

 

Leitrim County Council has prepared the County’s new Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). The new LECP will cover 2023-2029 and will guide the sustainable economic and community development of the County to ensure that Leitrim is a thriving place to live, work and prosper.

Meet the Builder Home Retrofitting Information Event

Retrofit Ready are delighted to announce a fantastic FREE event in The Mayflower Community Centre, Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim for anyone who is renovating, retrofitting, and looking for grant information from SEAI and Vacant homes from 6pm-8pm.

On 29th February they will have experts available to talk you through:

• SEAI grants
• Solar PV
• Home Retrofitting Materials
• Heat pumps/ boilers
• Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
• One Stop Shop Providers
• Finance Options available
• BER assessment
• Home insulation options

Leitrim PPN will have a stand if you are part of a community and voluntary groups and wish to hear more about the Public Participation Network in Leitrim.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) released Census 2022 Spotlight Series on 1st Feb : Volunteering in Ireland.

For the first time since 2006, the census in 2022 included a question on volunteering.

 

In Leitrim, 18% of the county's population or almost 6,200 people were volunteering in their community and various organisations in April 2022. The county thus had the highest proportion of its population involved in one or more voluntary activity. There were 3,039 males and more than 3,100 females volunteering.

 

The most popular voluntary activity was in the community, where almost 2,600 Leitrim people were volunteering. This was a rate of 18% of the county’s population, the highest nationally. More than 2,500 people volunteered in a sporting organisation while over 1,400 were involved in social or charitable organisations. Just over 1,300 people were volunteering in a religious or church group while there were 200 volunteers in political organisations. Nearly 1,400 people were volunteering in more than one group or activity. This was 4% of the population, the highest rate in the country.

 

Looking at broad age groups, the largest group of volunteers were among people aged 45-64 where there were 2,458 people volunteering. A further 1,714 people aged 25-44 were also involved in voluntary activities. There were 1,140 volunteers aged 65 and over. Almost 300 children (under 15 years old) and nearly 600 people aged 15-24 were also volunteering.

 

Leitrim PPN have reached over 400 community and voluntary groups registered in the County, everyone giving of their time so freely to different causes.  Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and build healthy relationships. It strengthens your ties to the community and exposes you to people with similar interests. Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to practise and develop your social skills.  You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity.  Well done to all who volunteer to make Leitrim a better place.

 

Leitrim PPN have a voluntary (secretariat) board of 8 people and have almost 40 volunteer Reps on committees and boards – your time and commitment doesn’t go un-noticed. Thank you!

 

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”
~Oscar Wilde

St Patrick’s Day Events Grant Scheme 2024

Leitrim County Council invites St Patrick’s Day Committees to make applications for St Patrick’s Day Events Scheme 2024.
Applications and full particulars for the above scheme can be obtained from the Tourism Department by email on tourismgrants@leitrimcoco.ie or clicking the link below.

 

Deadline: 19th February 

Bealtaine Hero Award 2024

The call for applications to the Bealtaine Hero Award is open to local, community based groups (or individuals) who wish to submit proposals for an event that offers an ambitious, creative and experimental invitation to their community this May, and that celebrates the spirit of the festival. All art forms and event types will be considered, however non-arts events will not be considered (please see guidelines for examples of arts and non-arts events).

Two awards of €500 will be made to the two successful applicants.

 

Deadline: 19th February 

International Protection Integration Fund 2024

The Minister of State for Integration, Joe O’Brien, approved €1,500,000 in funding under the International Protection Integration Fund 2024.

 

• €1,500,000 will be made available to community based organisations to carry out integration projects at a national, regional or local level to support the integration of International Protection Applicants.
• Grants of €30,000 to €100,000 will be allocated to successful Scheme A integration initiatives.
• Grants of €2,000 to €10,000 will be allocated to successful Scheme B integration initiatives.

Now in its third year, the International Protection Integration Fund celebrates rich cultural diversity and enables community based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in supporting the integration of International Protection Applicants.  Successful Scheme A organisations stand to receive grant funding of €30,000 – €100,000 to support large scale integration projects. Successful Scheme B organisations stand to receive grant funding of €2,000 – €10,000 to support smaller integration initiatives.

 

How to apply:

Applicants can access a detailed guidance document and complete an online application form below:

 

A total budget of €5 million was established with a minimum annual allocation of €500,000 to be paid out over the course of the project.

Since its inception in 2022, the International Protection Integration Fund has supported 137 projects with grant funding totalling €2.8m.

Purpose of projects/activities

This call is open to community based organisations and centres around 6 key themes to support the integration of International Protection Applicants:

• Employment
• Educational Awareness
• Language
• Civic and Legal Supports
• Health and Wellbeing
• Intercultural Awareness
• Children and Young People
• Transportation
• LGBTQI+

As this Fund is intended to support the integration of International Protection Applicants, including both adults and children. IP applicants should therefore be the primary target group for all submissions. While other individuals may benefit from the project, IP applicants must encompass the vast majority of participants in a project.

 

Below outlines definitions of IP applicants, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, and Programme Refugees:

 

International Protection Applicants        International Protection applicants are persons who have sought asylum in Ireland and are awaiting a decision on their protection claim. There is a statutory obligation on the State to examine the claims of all persons seeking protection and to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast and Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018)

 

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP)   Under the terms of the EU Temporary Protection Directive (European Council Directive 2001/55/EC), those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine are eligible for temporary protection in Ireland and are thus entitled to access a range of State supports and services. This may include either Ukrainian nationals or people from other countries who were resident in Ukraine before the start of the conflict on 24 February 2022.

 

Programme Refugees    Persons who participate in the Irish Refugee Resettlement Programme are known as ‘Programme Refugees’. Under this Programme, persons who have continued fear of war or persecution are granted asylum abroad and are subsequently resettled in Ireland as permanent residents.

 

 

Deadline: 6th March

Digital Town Awards

People and voluntary groups across Ireland are being invited to enter the annual .ie Digital Town Awards 2024, which celebrate the digital achievements of local towns, businesses and citizens across the country. They are also a chance to recognise and show appreciation to the volunteers who devote their spare time working tirelessly to enhance their local area, towns and villages.

 

The .ie Digital Town Awards has a total prize fund of €60,000 across 10 categories in areas such as sustainability, agri-tech, digital tourism, community, education, and digital business.

 

Deadline: 1st  March 

Reconciliation Fund

The Reconciliation Fund awards grants to organisations working to build better relations within and between traditions in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain. 

 

Deadline: 20th March 

Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme

The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme offers financial supports – provided by Sport Ireland – to local clubs, groups and organisations, nationwide who promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people.

 

Deadline: 1st March 

Gaeltacht Grants 2024 

Leitrim Co Board GAA in conjunction with Comhairle Contae Liatroma is offering grants for attendance at Gaeltacht courses to Leitrim boys and girls as part of their promotion of an Ghaeilge. A number of grants for €300 and €200 will be awarded. These grants are open to boys and girls living in County Leitrim. 

 

Deadline: 1st March

Young Ensembles Scheme

The primary purpose of the Young Ensembles Scheme is to support groups of young people between the ages of ten and twenty-four to create or critically engage with ambitious and original work together in any artform (e.g. circus, street art, spectacle, dance, digital media, film, music, theatre, literature, visual arts, architecture, or any combination of the above).

Groups/ensembles must be made up of three or more members. 

 

Deadline: 29th Feb

Feature Film Development Loans

Feature Film Development Loans enable Irish producers to commission screenplays with a view to developing feature films to production stage. 

 

Development funding is provided by Screen Ireland for the making of films predominantly in English or Irish, or a combination of the two. 

 

Development funding is not a guarantee of Production funding at a later stage.

Development Application Deadlines for 2024

Thursday 29th February 2024 at 1pm

Tuesday 30th April at 1pm

Friday 28th June at 1pm

Thursday 31st October at 1pm

The National Mentoring Programme

Applications are open annually throughout the month of February.

 

The opportunity is available to writers who practice in the following genres/forms:

• Literary fiction
• Creative non-fiction
• Children’s / YA fiction
• Poetry

Writers from all thirty-two counties are eligible to apply.

Selected mentees get the opportunity to choose the writer they work with from a growing panel of experienced, professional writers (subject to availability).

Each mentorship consists of four meetings with an experienced writer over a period of approximately 6–8 months. 

 

Deadline: 2nd March

Documentary Development

Documentary Development Loans enable Irish producer and director teams to carry out the concept (including the production of a promo/teaser), research, and story work necessary to prepare a documentary feature film for production.

 

Development Application Deadlines for 2024

• Thursday 29th February 2024 at 1pm
• Tuesday 30th April at 1pm
• Friday 28th June at 1pm
• Thursday 31st October at 1pm

Applications Open for Funding from Poetry Ireland

At Poetry Ireland, live programming thrives on partnerships with festivals, arts offices, arts centres and curators at home & abroad. For 2024 Poetry Ireland have opened up their funding channels so organisations and individuals can apply directly.

 

Deadline: 30th April

Leitrim groups invited to apply for funding from the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal

Following the success of the appeal during the Late Late Toy Show more than €3.6 Million is being made available under two grant rounds.

 

Community Foundation Ireland, which is overseeing the distribution of grants has published criteria to guide organisations in their applications. 

 

Deadline: 14th March 

Rural Action Awards

The Rural Action Awards Scheme, is aimed at supporting rural communities celebrate their own achievements:    

 

Rural community-based organisations in Northern Ireland, or the border region of Ireland have the opportunity to apply for and be in with a chance of securing £1000 or €1000 towards their chosen community project

The scheme is open to constituted rural community-based organisations including charities, not for profit community groups, sporting and cultural organisations, heritage groups, Parent Teacher Associations, youth groups/clubs and social enterprises.

3 recipients chosen at random.

Simple application form and verification process with evidence of constitution and bank account in group name required if successful. 

The scheme seeks to support practical, tangible and timebound projects where the project must complete within 12 weeks

 

Deadline: 20th March

The Nature Hero Award

This is a mark of excellence for schools that recognises exceptional work by pupils and staff to help nature.

The aim of the achievement is to create an educational space that nurtures a love of nature, develops a knowledge of our biodiversity and encourages action to help it locally. It covers many topics such as school gardening, biodiversity conservation, ecological literacy, responsible citizenship as well as physical and mental wellbeing. The award is delivered together with our schools’ partner, Biodiversity in Schools - Ireland's biodiversity education organisation for young people. 

State of Caring Survey 2024

By sharing your opinions and experiences, you will help Family Carers Ireland advocate for greater recognition and support of family carers across Ireland.

The survey should take you approximately 20-30 minutes depending on your responses. Your answers will remain anonymous. 

 

Deadline: 4th March

Adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector

Have your say - Public consultation open on new proposals to further safeguard adults receiving services in the health and social care sector.

 

An online consultation portal is now open, allowing people to submit their views on the policy proposals.

Club Officer Survey

The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Associations are, in conjunction with SETU Waterford, asking all current Club Officers – or anyone who has been an officer in the last five years – to help them improve the volunteer experience, no matter the role, across the Gaelic Games Associations.

 

The Club Officer survey aims to identify the type of people volunteering to be involved with their Clubs; why they do it; and, most importantly, what we can do to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

Public Consultation on National (Climate) Adaptation Framework

Climate adaptation is the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects. It is not a one-time emergency response, but a series of proactive measures that are taken over time to build the resilience of our economy and society to the impacts of climate change. Adaptation ultimately seeks to minimise the costs of climate change impacts and maximise any opportunities that may arise.

 

The aim of this consultation is to gather feedback from relevant stakeholders and members of the public on the draft National Adaptation Framework.

 

Deadline: 19th February

Merging Literary Tourism with Cutting-Edge Immersive Technology Survey

The Western Development Commission are inviting Community Organisations, SMEs and Businesses in the Cultural, Literary, and Tourism space to participate in this preliminary survey.  Their goal is to understand current digital technology usage and attitudes, mapping out needs and readiness for immersive technology integration in business.

Free Online Training Course

Do you want to learn about the importance of European Citizenship Education?

 

This free Online Training Course will support youth leaders' knowledge and understanding of the history, symbols, institutions and policies of the European Union.

 

The Online Training Course has five interactive and engaging modules:

1. History of European Integration

2. Values and Symbols of the EU

3. EU Institutions

4. Policies and Programmes of the EU

5. Active Youth Participation 

Annual Online Gathering of Community Growers, 2nd March

Community Gardens Ireland are a voluntary, independent, inclusive group that works with all agencies and groups that promote environmental awareness and support community gardening and food growing in all parts of the island of Ireland. 

 

Next month, Community Gardens Ireland & Social Farms & Gardens Northern Ireland are together organising our 3rd annual online gathering and forum! The event starts at 11am on Saturday 2nd March. 

 
This free event takes place online and will include speakers from allotments, community gardens & groups across Ireland. 

This is always an incredibly popular event and is the largest online event for anyone interested in allotments, community gardens and community growing across the island of Ireland.

The 2024 theme is Food Education.

Home Energy Saving Kit

Borrow a Kit from #Cahirciveen to #Kiltyclogher

 

Home Energy Saving Kits are now available from over 200 public library branches around the country.

 

So whether you own, rent or share your home, live in rural Ireland or a city, you can get started on saving energy today.

Leitrim Sculpture Centre and The Glens Centre Creative Exchange Residency

Artist Lisa Callaghan and Theatre Creator Treasa Nealon are delighted to present the work created as part of The Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Manorhamilton and The Glens Centre Creative Exchange Residency. Over a number of weeks, they have collaborated together during a series of workshops with young people exploring the local legend of An Dobhar-chú!

Join them and the participants for an immersive and explorative exhibition in The Glens Centre auditorium. The work they have created through a series of artistic workshops will be on display. Refreshments will be provided.

 

Treasa Nealon is a playwright, theatre creator and co-founder of The Rabbit’s Riot Theatre Company.

Lisa Callaghan is a printmaker and the Grants & Development Coordinator with Helium Arts.

 

A joint initiative of Leitrim Sculpture Centre and The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, the Creative Exchange residency programme supports artists from different artforms wishing to conduct interdisciplinary research and collaboration together. Fostering creative exchange between the visual and performing arts the residency attracts visual artists, musicians, actors, photographers, writers, dancers, designers, architects, video & filmmakers and digital media artists wishing to collaborate together on developing a new project and/or range of approaches and skills in advancing their respective practices. Funded by The Arts Council.

 

The Legends of An Dobharchú - Creative Exchange Youth Art Exhibition

Free

7pm to 9pm

Thursday the 29th February

The Glens Centre

Creative Communities Info Sessions

Leitrim County Council are delighted to be hosting informal public information sessions for community groups to find out more about the Creative Communities Open Call programme. 

Where you can find out, how it may be of benefit to a group you are a member of, or a group that you work with.  Groups that have had little or no previous involvement in creative projects are particularly welcome.

 

Manorhamilton:

The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton

Tuesday 13/02/2024 from 7.00pm - 8.30pm

 

Ballinamore:

Ballinamore Library

Wednesday 14/02/2024 from 7.00pm - 8.30pm

International Women's Day Friday 8th March

• Celebrate women's achievement.
• Raise awareness about discrimination.
• Take action to drive gender parity.
• IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere.
• Inclusion means all IWD action is valid.

Friends of Little Woods are looking for a partner for a conservation projects

Friends of Little Woods ideas for a project focus are on creating new woodland but they are also looking at a focus on priority species including butterflies, owls and pine marten.

The Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) is a new programme to support small and large, rural and urban communities to take climate action at a local level in the Republic of Ireland.

 

Strand 1A of the fund focuses on cross-border projects in partnership with communities and organisations in Northern Ireland.

 

Organisations in Northern Ireland can partner with an organisation in the Republic of Ireland to be a joint beneficiary of the fund. (up to 10,000 Euro each)

Please contact Chris Hillcox Treasurer Friends of Little Woods for further details. Leitrim PPN are merely sharing this for Chris Hillcox.  

Street Feast 2024 Sat 25th - Sun 26th May

Thinking ahead to warmer days!

Help your group plan your local community street feast. 

Community Peer Supporter

Course: Cycle Against Suicide's free* Mental Health Peer Support Training

 

Delivery: Online via Zoom from 7-10pm on 4 evenings over 2 weeks 

 

Training Dates:       

March 2024: Tues 12th, Thurs 14th and Tues 19th, Thurs 21st 

April 2024: Mon 8th, Wed 10th and Mon 15th, Wed 17th

May 2024: Mon 13th, Wed 15th and Mon 20th, Wed 22nd 

 

To Register: email - training@cycleagainstsuicide.com 

 

*free to over-18s, non-healthcare professionals who volunteer in a community club and association.

About the Fair Deal Scheme

Fair Deal provides financial support for those in long-term nursing home care.

You pay part of the nursing home fees and the HSE pay the balance.

Graduate.ie

Graduate.ie is a FREE online competition for Second Level Students to take part in and learn about important Local and National topics.

Students who complete the competition can be entered to win one of many educational trips to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

 

The Mission is to Engage, Inform & Inspire Young People

Graduate.ie has been in operation since 2001.
It is a Government, Local Government and EU Funded Citizenship & Democracy Programme for Second Level Students in Ireland.

Is your motor tax due for renewal?

Want to avoid the queues?

You can tax your vehicle online.

 

Your PIN for this service is the last 6 digits on the top right corner of your Vehicle Registration Cert (logbook). Alternatively you can send your Renewal application by post together with the relevant supporting documentation to: Motor Tax Office, Aras-an-Chontae, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41PF67.

Saving Energy Saves Money

• Lower the thermostat by 1
• Limit the use of high energy appliances
• Turn off heat in unused rooms

Primary School Writing Competition 

Pupils are asked to write a letter telling An Post how they will contribute to the growth, well-being, and sustainability of our beloved Ireland and sow the seeds for a future we can actively shape and be proud of!

 

Pupils of all levels and age groups, from Junior Infants up to 6th class can enter.

Global Ireland Young Leaders Competition

This a competition which encourages Transition Year students to consider Ireland’s role in the world in an independent and creative way.

The prize for successful applicants will be an opportunity to view first-hand the work of Ireland’s foreign affairs service through a three-day programme hosted at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.

Students will gain the opportunity to experience the world of diplomacy and foreign affairs, including learning about the work of international NGOs, peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, interactive workshops, meetings with Irish Ambassadors, and a visit to an embassy of a partner country.

 

The deadline for submissions is the April 12th 2024.

The programme will take place provisionally on the week starting May 13.