Happy St. Patrick's Day from Leitrim PPN

Meet the Builder Home Retrofitting Information Event

Leitrim PPN were delighted to have a stand at this successful event.

Pictured are Leitrim PPN staff with secretariat member Bernie Mulligan Dolan.

Well done to Carol at Retrofit Sligo/Leitrim for organising and giving us the opportunity to have a stand.

Minister visits Bothar Na Naomh Trail in Cloone

Minister Heather Humphreys TD announced the extension of the Walks Scheme and she visited the Bothar Na Naomh trail in Cloone Co. Leitrim to make the announcement.  

Four new trails will now join the scheme in Leitrim, The Keeldra Lake Trail, Bother Na Naomh, The Crummy Loops and The Mullagarve Mass Rock Trail.

The LEADER programme supported the initial development of the two trails at Cloone through the Cloone Tidy Towns and the Keeldra Lake groups. The RSS and TUS programmes run by LDCo and participants have also provided valuable maintenance and support for these trails and groups until now. Emma O Hagan Rural Recreation Officer in LDCo will now work with the farmers and landowners involved to develop work plans and they will be paid annually under a five year contract to maintain these routes. This is good news as it means more money into farmers pockets  for providing valuable access to their properties.

 

The picture shows Lilly Mitchell from Cloone Tidy Towns Group, Collette Charles from the Keeldra Groups (Both PPN registered groups)and the Minister with LDCO staff in Cloone.

Well done to all involved from Leitrim PPN

A Deep Dive into Successful Grant Preparation

“A Deep Dive into Successful Grant Preparation” will look at how to write successful grants. It will cover:

 

• Designing your project concept
• Key aspects of communicating projects
• Maximising points
• Breaking down examples of real questions.

There will be plenty of time for Q&A, and it will also feature a reminder of funding supports available through The Wheel.

 

15 March 2024 – 10:00am to 11:30am online – If you are interested please let the Leitrim PPN team know and we will book you a slot with The Wheel for this training.

E mail info@leitrimppn.ie to book with your name, organisation name and address to include Eircode. Please put Grant Preparation in subject line. Please email before 13th March to secure a place.

Secretariat Meeting

Mon 11th March – Secretariat meeting at 4pm in Leitrim Development Company, Drumshanbo.

 

Secretariat Members:-

• Bridget Mc Gourty - North Leitrim Women's Group
• Áedin Mc Loughlin - Good Energies Alliance
• Gerry Creamer - Caislean Hamilton CLG
• Joan Regan - Breffni Family Resource Centre
• Patrick Mc Greevy - Keshcarrigan Development Association
• Bernie Mulligan Dolan - Carrigallen GAA
• Olivia Fitzgerald Murphy - Rossinver Community Development Company
• Brian Smyth - The Organic Centre

Linkage Group Meeting

Wed 13th March-  Social Inclusion, Disability, Rural Development, Peace and Reconciliation Linkage Group Meeting, Leitrim Development Company, Drumshanbo 7.30pm – all PPN members Welcome

 

Facilitators for this group -  

• Patrick Mc Greevy
• Assumpta Kelly
• Helen Rutter
• Silvia Apostol

Community Heritage Grants Scheme & Traditional Farm Buildings Grants Scheme

Now Open for Applications

The Heritage Council is now accepting applications from community groups and not-for-profit non-governmental organisations around the country for its Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2024.

 

A broad range of project types are eligible for funding under the scheme including:

• Workshops and training events that promote good heritage practice, in particular, we are interested in traditional building skills, craft skills, graveyard recording and biodiversity training.
• Development of Digital Heritage Resources including digitisation, online exhibitions, oral history recordings, podcasts, and films. You need to make sure that the digital outputs you create with grant funding are available, open, and accessible.
• Conservation surveys, reports, plans, and audits that will inform the future management of buildings and monuments, habitats, collections, or objects.
• Conservation works to buildings, monuments, habitats, collections, or objects.

 

This scheme is intended to enable communities and heritage non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to continue their work on existing projects or to start new initiatives.

 

Deadline: 25th March

Disability and Participation Awareness Fund worth €3.5m

The new €3.5m fund will help to promote disability awareness and training in local communities, increase participation among disabled people in social, cultural, arts and sporting activities, and support pathways for young people with disabilities in transitioning through education.

 

Deadline: 5th April

Creative Places Award

The Arts Council’s objective for its Creative Places programme is to invest in places (e.g. towns, villages, suburbs, rural places) that have had fewer opportunities to take part in the arts.

 

Maximum award - €30,000

Deadline: 28th March

Grants for Bilingual Signage

Foras na Gaeilge offer grants for bilingual signage, Gaeilge/English, for shopfront and internal signage on shops, business, public facilities. Grants of up to €1,500 are available. 

 

For local advice on application procedure contact Seán Ó Súilleabháin at sosuilleabhain9@gmail.com or 087 6821566

Creative Ageing Writing Bursary, Professional Development Artist Award and Emerging Artist Award

Age & Opportunity’s Arts programme invites applications for three awards intended to support the development of older artists in Ireland and to increase the knowledge around the arts and ageing in general: the Creative Ageing Writing Bursary, Professional Development Artist Award and Emerging Artist Award.

 

Deadline: 22nd March

The ‘Children’s Promise’ Grants Programme 

The ‘Children’s Promise’ grants programme is a funding programme within Katharine Howard Foundation (KHF). KHF particularly focuses on prevention and early intervention initiatives, to support the best life outcomes for young children.

 

This grants programme is a collaboration with Community Foundation Ireland.

 

Deadline: 21st March 

The Social Innovation Regeneration Fund

Rethink Ireland has confirmed two changes to the Social Innovation Regeneration Fund as follows:

 

The introduction of a Strand 2 for smaller grants: Rethink Ireland has increased the overall Fund budget and introduced a Strand 2 for smaller grants. Applicants need to secure philanthropic funding commitments to make an application to the Fund, and the minimum philanthropic funding to be secured for the new Strand 2 is at least €100,000 over two years (compared to at least €200,000 for Strand 1).

 

The extension of the deadline for applications to the Fund: The original deadline for the applications to the Fund was 16th February, 2024. This deadline has now been extended until 26th April, 2024 to allow new eligible applicants sufficient time to prepare their applications. Note that applicants can submit their applications at any time before the deadline of 26th April.

 

What is the Social Innovation Regeneration Fund?

The Social Innovation Regeneration Fund aims to build the capacity of social innovations with proven impact and a desire to scale. This Fund has been set up to support previous Rethink Ireland awardees who have encountered a temporary core funding gap and are seeking support to revisit their business model and improve their financial sustainability.

 

Deadline: 26th April 

iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE 

The iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE supports projects that contribute to improving our society. If you work towards achieving one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, your project is eligible.

 

Applying is free of charge. Every year iF Design donates EUR 100,000 to support the best projects submitted to the iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE. Your project should already be established and you can apply with the same project a maximum of two times. Student concepts will not be accepted.

 

Deadline: 24th April

Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme

The Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme provides funding for the implementation of large-scale restoration initiatives that restore and harness ecosystem processes, bring back nature to degraded landscapes and seascapes, and revitalise local economies. Projects funded by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme are sources of inspiration, models of good practice, and foci for lesson-learning.

 

Deadline: for Expression of Interest 30th April

Call for Food Waste Reduction Initiatives

The call for proposals relates to the provision of services for the support of food waste reduction projects.

€165,000 for proposals relating to the promotion and/or development of innovative food waste reduction projects which are designed to reduce food waste generated in rural areas.

 

Deadline: 22nd March

Arts in Early Learning and Childcare Scheme

The purpose of the Arts in Early Learning and Childcare Scheme 2024 is to provide opportunities for babies and young children to explore and enjoy the arts with the support of artists, early-years educators, school-age practitioners, families and carers.

 

Maximum award - €40,000

Deadline: 4th April 

Human Rights and Equality Grant Scheme

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’s 2024-25 Human Rights and Equality Grant Scheme is now open. The purpose of the grants scheme is to support projects by civil society and trade unions that promote human rights and equality.

A total of €350,000 is available for projects.

 

Grants Scheme Strands

The 2024-25 Grants Scheme’s themes are informed by the Commission’s strategic priorities set out in its Strategy Statement 2022-24. This year the Grants Scheme will support projects under the following strands:

 

Strand A: Advancing Economic Equality

Strand B: Promoting Awareness of Rights and Access to Justice

Strand C: Promoting Climate Justice, Environmental Justice and a Just Transition

 

Funding Streams

Funding is available for small and general grants:

Small Grants up to: €6,000

General Grants up to: €20,000

 

Deadline:  18th  April 

Community Festival Investment Programme

Leitrim County Council provides financial support to organisations in Leitrim that produce unique, high-quality festivals that engage with the fabric of the county, providing valuable opportunities for residents and visitors alike to come together, to celebrate and to explore new experiences.

The purpose of the community festival strand is to support the development of festivals that encourage a strong sense of community, social inclusion and engagement of the wider community.

 

Deadline:  2nd April 

Open Call: AIC Scheme Artist Mentoring Award

Create invites expressions of interest from collaborative socially engaged artists, or artists interested in/transitioning into collaborative socially engaged arts, who wish to avail of a focused period of mentorship to develop and consolidate their practice.

 

The Mentoring Award is funded through the Artist in the Community Scheme (AIC), managed by Create on a devolved basis for The Arts Council. The AIC Scheme is a primary vehicle for collaborative socially engaged arts practice in Ireland.

 

Deadline: 13th May

 

2 online information sessions with Create staff and members of the artist mentor panel, will be held on the 10th and 17th April.

Public consultation on the draft childminding regulations

The DCEDIY have launched public consultations on the draft childminding regulations. Childminders and parents now have a chance to voice their opinions on the proposed regulations that will impact childminding services in Ireland. 

 

Leitrim County Childcare Committee are hosting an in-person focus group for childminders to discuss the draft childminding regulations on Monday 8th April at 7pm in The Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41N9W4.

This is an opportunity for childminders to have their say. 

University College Dublin Volunteering Survey

This survey is part of a research study that will explore what motivates people to volunteer in Ireland today and how these motivations may have changed since the formation of the Irish nation state a hundred years ago.

Sustainable Mobility Community Consultation Events

Leitrim County Council have been working in partnership with ATU on a research project to develop models to address rural transport issues.  A survey to collect participant’s habits was distributed in late 2023.  This research will provide solutions to the first and last mile in one’s journey, to help people to connect to existing scheduled public transport in a rural county-solutions (will include e-mobility, mobility hubs, shared transport).

 

There are a number of Community Consultations around the County, please see flyer for details. These consultations will last approximately 2 hours. These consultations are an important event for Leitrim County Council, your attendance would be appreciated.

Dementia Understand Together Community Champion Welcome Workshop

You are invited to attend:

 

The next Community Champion Welcome Workshop on Wednesday 13th March from 12pm to 1.45pm, online via Teams.

 

This workshop is specifically for new champions or for those that have not yet had an opportunity to attend a workshop. During the workshop we will explore the practical actions we can take to ensure people living with dementia can stay connected and included in their communities and hear from people living with dementia and champions about their own experiences.

 

Don't miss out. You can register by emailing understandtogether@hse.ie.

Training with Leitrim County Childcare

Leitrim CCC will be delivering training on the Diveristy, Equality and Inclusion Charter and Guidelines for ECCE.

 

This training is in person and will take place in Drumshanbo.

 

The dates are:

 

• Sat 13th April (lunch provided) 10am-4pm
• Mon 15th April 6.30-9.30pm
• Mon 22nd April 6.30-9.30pm
• Mon 29th April 6.30-9.30pm

 

to book a place on this training, email nancy@leitrimchildcare.ie

Start a Social Enterprise Course

Rethink Ireland would like to announce that they are currently accepting applications for their free online ‘Start a Social Enterprise Business Course’.

 

This course uses an innovative approach to developing and supporting grassroots social enterprise ideas in Ireland. Industry experts will provide the participants with the tools and knowledge needed to bring their social enterprise idea to life. In addition, participants will be invited to pitch at the end of the course for a place on a bespoke start-up accelerator programme.

 

They are accepting applications until the 28th of March, with the course commencing online on the 24th of April and running for 6 consecutive weeks.  

County Leitrim Skydive For Life 2024

This is an exclusive Skydive just for residents of Co Leitrim. 

 

As the day is just for County Leitrim there is always a great atmosphere at the Irish Parachute Club with friends and family attending to watch your skydive.

 

Enjoy the experience of a lifetime as well as supporting the work of Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland by joining our County Leitrim Skydive For Life on 11th August 2024. It'll be an amazing way to help fund our youth mental health awareness and suicide prevention Programmes in your county schools and in the wider Co Leitrim community. You will also be helping to fund Youth Crisis Counselling Services.

Schools Battery Recycling Competition

Schools taking on the Battery Recycling Challenge can enter the Schools Battery Recycling Competition. Your challenge is to collect as many batteries as you can and recycle them with WEEE Ireland.

 

Plan a battery recycling drive and get collecting to be in with a chance to win a €2000 sports equipment voucher for your school!

 

Deadline: 12th April

The Wheel Summit 2024

Get ready for a transformative experience at The Wheel's National Summit for Charities, Community Organisations, and Social Enterprises! Join The Wheel on Wednesday, 29 May 2024, at Croke Park, as we celebrate 25 years of driving positive social change.

 

Open to All: Members and Non-Members

This is your invitation, whether you're a seasoned sector leader, a dedicated staff member, or a passionate volunteer. Join The WHeel, as they unite members and non-members alike, all fueled by a shared commitment to making a positive impact in organisations and communities.

Identifying the needs of young people and their families bereaved by suicide study

Researchers at the National Suicide Research Foundation are conducting a study titled: “Identifying the needs of young people and their families bereaved by suicide“.

 

The aim of this study is to explore the needs of young people under 25 years of age who have been bereaved by suicide, and to identify barriers and facilitators to accessing appropriate supports and services.

 

As part of the study, National Suicide Research Foundation want to hear from professionals involved in supporting young people and delivering youth suicide bereavement supports, including mental health professionals, GPs, community workers and school personnel.

`Key Performance Indicators'' to Monitor Impacts of Rural Development in Ireland

Minister Humphreys has welcomed a new report by the @ESRI which identifies `key performance indicators'' to monitor impacts of rural development in Ireland.

Rural Toolkit

Many EU funds and initiatives can help improve the quality of life in rural areas.

But how to find the best option?

The hashtag#RuralToolkit is the new online guide to EU resources available for rural territories across the union.

Further Education and Training Guide for Young People

Guidance document to help young people in Youth Diversion Projects access Further Education and Training related opportunities.This includes apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education and core literacy and numeracy services as well.

 

Guidance document to help young people in Youth Diversion Projects access Further Education and Training related opportunities.This includes apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education and core literacy and numeracy services as well.

 

Guidance document to help young people in Youth Diversion Projects access Further Education and Training related opportunities.

 

This includes apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education and core literacy and numeracy services as well.

The Lonely Bee Drawing Competition

The Lonely Bee Drawing Competition has commenced.

Share with friends and family. The winner will receive a IBCP bee post for their school with their name printed on it. Bee posts provide valuable  habitat for bees and other pollinators and we are proud to provide these for many local communities, and your school can now have one of these too.

Winner will be picked by our IBCP volunteers and we cannot wait to see all the art work. 

The theme for the competition is the Lonely Bee which represents over a 100 species of solitary bees in Ireland. 
Please follow the rules below. 
-All participants must attend a National School in the Republic of Ireland
-All participants must be between the age of 4 - 11
1 entry per child

-To enter the competition images should be emailed to socialmedia@ibcp.ie
-All entries must be entered by 5pm on 18/05/2024
-With your submission please provide the full name of the child, their age and their school. For data security the only details that will be featured on our social media will be their first name and the county in which their school is located, unless written instructions from the parents is obtained.
-Winner will be contacted within 10 working days of the draw.
-The school listed on the winning submission will be contacted within 10 working days to arrange the installation 
of an IBCP Bee Post.

Charities Regulator

When was the last time you checked that your charity’s information on the Register of Charities is up-to-date and the contact details we have been given are still correct? Or do you assume someone else is looking after this?

Charities are legally obliged to ensure that their details on the Register of Charities are kept up to date. This includes providing a list of current trustees.