Garadice

New Leitrim PPN Website Launched

Leitrim PPN new website is live now!

 

Hope you like it

Successful Leitrim PPN Plenary 

Thank you to all the PPN member groups and agencies who attended the Plenary on 13th Nov in Manorhamilton.

 

The Plenary is an important event for groups to network and learn from each other as well as hearing what the PPN are doing.

 

Some key points were:-

• 3 new secretariat members were ratified
• Approval of Minutes of last plenary meeting in May
• Update on PPN work
• 131 people have now completed free training with Leitrim PPN this year
• Leitrim PPN set up 3 Linkage Groups in 2023
• Key activities included in the work plan for 2024 were discussed
• Guest Speakers welcomed

The following PPN Reps were ratified at the plenary

Secretariat

Environment Pillar – Nth Leitrim Manorhamilton MD

Brian Smyth The Organic Centre

 

Community & Voluntary Pillar

Bernie Mulligan Dolan Carrigallen GAA

 

Social Inclusion Pillar

Olivia Fitzgerald Murphy The New Ballagh Centre

 

 

 

SPC: Environment, Climate Action & Agriculture

Environment

Mella OBrolchain Leitrim Local Environmental Network

 

Leitrim Development Company Board

Environment sector

Mella OBrolchain Leitrim Local Environmental Network

 

Leader Evaluation Board

Manor MD

Gerry Creamer Caislean Hamilton CLG

 

Carrick MD area

Siobhan Finnegan McElgunn Breffni Community & Family Resource

 

Leitrim Recreation Forum

A candidate to sit on the Rail to Trail working group

Jennie O'Hara Fenagh

 

A candidate to sit on the walking and cycling working group

Jo Sachs Eldridge Leitrim Local Environmental Network

 

A candidate to sit on the waterways working group

Amanda O'Connell Lough Rynn Kayak Club

Leitrim PPN Vacancies - deadline this Thurs

Leitrim PPN have extended the deadline for the following PPN vacancies:

 

Secretariat

Carrick on Shannon MD area

 

LCDC

Social Inclusion x 2

Community & Voluntary

 

Leitrim Development Company Board

Male Carrick MD area

Male Manor

 

Leitrim Recreation Forum

A candidate to sit on the Leitrim Recreation Forum

 

Leitrim Volunteer Centre Board

Person with Secretarial skills to take minutes

Climate Action Fund Workshops 

Community Climate Action Fund Workshops in Nov

 

Please come along to either of these workshops to learn more:-

Mon 27th Nov @ The Organic Centre, Rossinver at 7pm

Wed 29th Nov @ Leitrim Development Co, Drumshanbo at 7.30pm (involving Leitrim PPN Linkage group on Climate Action)

 

 

The Leitrim Climate Action team are working for all our communities to address climate change through a series of climate actions that improve our energy efficiency and contribute to making the county resilient to the challenges of climate change through the Local Authority Climate Action Plan along with the Community Climate Action Programme.

 

To meet commitments and targets set out in the National Climate Action Plan, Leitrim County Council are developing a Local Authority Climate Action Plan.

 

The Community Climate Action Programme is a new programme to support small and large, rural and urban communities to take climate action at a local level. Leitrim County Council is delighted to welcome the announcement by the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications of a new Community Climate Action Fund, which will become available to support communities to promote and assist in the scale up of community climate action.

 

The overall objective of the programme is to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way to contribute to national climate and energy targets. There are two strands:

Strand 1 - Action: Building Low Carbon

Communities: Co. Leitrim have been given an allocation of €300,000 for projects under Strand 1.  Under this scheme communities will carry out projects that have a direct climate action impact.

Strand 1a - Shared Island Community Climate

 

Action: This strand enables communities and local authorities to carry out a cross-border project in partnership with a community in Northern Ireland. Unlike strand 1, Local Authorities have not been automatically allocated funding under strand 1a and is open for all communities to apply.

 

All welcome to come along  where Mark Corrigan, Community Climate Action Officer will be on hand to discuss applying for the new fund and assistance with the application form.

Linkage Group Meetings 

Calling all Leitrim PPN members!

Our next series of Linkage Group Meetings are coming up soon.
Please see the dates as follows;

 

Wednesday 29th November - Climate Action, Environment, Heritage, Biodiversity and Agriculture (workshop on new funding with Climate Action Officer Mark Corrigan)

 

Thursday 30th November - Social Inclusion, Disability, Rural Development, Peace  and Reconciliation

 

Tuesday 5th December - Planning, Housing and Transport

 

all at 7.30pm in Leitrim Development Company Office, Drumshanbo.

Irish Environmental Network - Rights of Nature

On behalf of the Irish Environmental Network - Rights of Nature. There is amazing work being done throughout Ireland on this issue, and PPNs are, in many cases, leading the way.

Anyone who is interested in this topic is welcome to join at the next online meet up, taking place Monday Dec 4th at 7pm. All are welcome.

PPN Stakeholder Training

The online only self-paced training videos programme for PPN stakeholders has been developed with Social Justice Ireland.

Registrations for the online only training is now open.

Social Justice Ireland is providing this training on behalf of the Department.

 

The online only training covers the following:

- An Introduction to the PPN's (2 Modules)

- Local Government Budgets

- PPNs and Local Government

- Effective Participation in Consultations

- Effective Facilitation

- Strategic Planning

- Measuring Outcomes and Impacts

 

This is online only and is intended for self-directed learning at the learner’s own pace. Social Justice Ireland will provide some support via the webform on each Module page. There are no scheduled classes as part of this training.

This training is available to the following PPN Stakeholders:

- PPN Workers

- PPN Secretariat Members

- PPN Representatives

- PPN Member Groups

- Local Authority Staff Leitrim County Council

- Elected Councillors

Support for Sport

€5,000 award for a club in every county.

Any Sport - Every County

2024 Entry

Now Open

2024 Parent Peer Support fund is open

The fund is open to organisations working with parents and/or children and young people to facilitate the development and support of parent peer support groups.

Beneficiaries of the initial round of Parent Peer Support funding included organisations working with parents of LGBTI+ children, parents of children with a disability and parents of children who have recently migrated to Ireland.

This year, a total of €75,000 will be made available to 37 organisations with each successful applicant receiving €2000 to provide and promote parent peer support group activities across the country.

New €1 Million Fund to support Men’s Sheds

A new €1 million Fund has been announced to support Men’s Sheds across the country.

Under the initiative, grants of up to €3,000 will be provided to 435 Men’s Sheds across the country.

The funding is designed to assist Men’s Sheds with their running costs such as their heating, electricity utility and insurance bills.

Under the initiative, grants of up to €3,000 will be provided to 435 Men’s Sheds across the country. The individual grants will be distributed to the Men’s Sheds via its representative body, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA), through an application process which includes qualifying criteria for the fund.

Calling all Irish or Irish-based early-career dancers

Step Up Project 2024 applications are now open!

 

Focused on developing artists as performers while encouraging creativity

 

Five selected dancers will receive a weekly fee of €650 over 7 weeks, along with accommodation for the period of 30 June – 8 August and 9 – 13 September 2024.

 

The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 12 December 2023.

Energy Efficiency Grant

The Energy Efficiency Grant supports the investment in technologies and equipment of enterprises following on from a Green for Micro/Business Report, GreenStart Report or a SEAI Energy Audit with 50% of eligible costs from a minimum grant of €1,000 to a maximum of €5,000.  The aim of the scheme is to reduce the impact of enterprises on the environment thereby increasing the agility and resilience of these businesses.

Funding For Community Cancer Care Centres 

Minister for Health announces €3m in funding to Community Cancer Support
Centres for 2024.  Additional funding of €3 million in 2024 will support members of the National Cancer Control Programme Alliance of Community Cancer
Support Centres.  This funding will be allocated by the National Cancer Control Programme.  The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has announced the allocation of €3m in funding to the National Cancer Control Programme’s Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres through Budget 2024.
The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 highlights cancer support centres as a valuable support to cancer patients and their families outside of the acute care setting.
These centres have an important role in the implementation of the Psycho-oncology
Model of Care and survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer.
Centres provide a range of services from diagnosis, through treatment, and for those finished active treatment.  Services include information and advice about cancer, psychological and emotional support, lymphoedema treatment, and survivorship programmes to patients.  These services, based in local communities, are provided for free to cancer patients.
The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) established the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres in 2022. This initiative aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services. These centres are voluntary and charity organisations delivering services directly to cancer patients and their families that emphasise the importance of quality of life during and after cancer treatment.
The NCCP Revised Best Practice Guidance for community cancer support centres
was published in March 2022. The Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres
was also established in 2022. The Alliance is a HSE initiative which aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services.
This programme promotes participation in capacity-building activities and communication and networking forums aimed at ensuring that community-based cancer support services are integrated.

Heritage Organisation support fund

Providing funding towards the core costs of not-for-profit non-governmental organisations working in the heritage sector in Ireland.

 

Who can apply

The scheme is open to not-for-profit non-governmental heritage-focused organisations with demonstrated national and or regional relevance.

Waterways Ireland Community Grant Scheme 2024

Waterways Ireland is delighted to announce the launch of its 2024 Heritage and Biodiversity in the Community Grants Scheme in support of the Waterways Ireland Heritage and Biodiversity Plan.

A fund of €20,000 has been allocated to assist community based heritage and biodiversity projects which compliment or fulfil the delivery of the Waterways Ireland Heritage and Biodiversity Plan along the Barrow Navigation, Grand Canal and Royal Canal.

Applications will be considered from communities, individuals and organisations seeking assistance for projects related to inland waterways' heritage and biodiversity.

This can include:

data collection & research,

good heritage practice in managing sites, collections, objects, etc. and

support fresh approaches and initiatives that promote active engagement with heritage and biodiversity.

Deadline for receipt of completed applications is 31st of January 2024.

Ireland’s new Deposit Return Scheme

Coming soon - a new way to recycle bottles and cans. 
Deposit return points will be in shops and supermarkets nationwide.

Take the We Act Survey on the value and impact of the charity and community sector in Ireland

We Act, a national, public awareness campaign to promote the value, impact and understanding of the charity and community sector in Ireland, are running their annual sectoral survey.

If you work or volunteer with a charity, community group, voluntary organisation, or social enterprise then this survey is for you. 

An Garda Síochána Strategic Plan for 2025–2027

An Garda Síochána is in the process of drafting their Strategic Plan for 2025 – 2027 and they are keen to hear views from across civil society, on the challenges and opportunities facing our communities and the role An Garda Síochána can play working with you to improve community safety.

Submissions may be returned to StrategicPlan2025@garda.ie, by 30th November 2023.

Irish Raised Bog Restoration Survey

MSc research questionnaire: Anna Murashova of Wageningen University is currently undertaking her research on Irish Raised Bog Restoration.

European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund

FLAG (Fisheries Local Action Group Programme) is a Community-Led Local Development scheme that seeks to “enable a sustainable blue economy in coastal, island and inland areas, and foster the development of coastal communities.” FLAG comprises a partnership of relevant local stakeholder representatives from coastal communities with BIM Bord Iascaigh Mhara - Ireland Seafood Development Agency. The first task of the group is to create a Local Development Strategy. This process is now underway and they are seeking your contribution via a brief online survey. This will aid in the development of a strategy to seek funding from Priority 3 of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). 

Are you interested in sharing your experience and suggesting what a National Disability Strategy could include to improve the lives of disabled people?

If so, you are invited to join online thematic focus groups to discuss various issues related to disability.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) are developing a new National Disability Strategy. They have asked the National Disability Authority (NDA) to conduct some elements of the consultation on their behalf.

The overall focus of the consultation is to inform a set of strategic actions that will address common barriers to inclusion and participation for people with disabilities across key areas of society.

The focus groups below are part of a wider consultation process.

Dates and times of online focus groups;

If you are interested in attending, please register at the relevant link or links below:

Introducing Social Justice as a Core Principle of Inclusive Youth Work

The Equality and Intercultural Programme in the National Youth Council of Ireland supports the youth work sector to develop responsive, equal, and inclusive youth work practice.This e-learning introduces youth workers and volunteers to key aspects of social justice and explains how it is a core principle of inclusive youth work.  

The Right Course

The Right Course is a free government-funded online training facility which provides a range of online learning courses

Calling all pre-schoolers! 

Online group sessions with DSI Early Years Specialist Oliver Buckeridge will begin on November 28th.

Achieving & Maintaining Compliance with Data Protection & GDPR (Online Workshop) 7th December

While this workshop is intended as an introduction for people who are engaging with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for the first time, it will also be a useful refresher for people who have some knowledge and experience of the subject.
The workshop will take you through the fundamental principles, definitions and actions required by the GDPR, there will also be a valuable opportunity to ask questions.
In particular, this workshop will provide attendees with:
• An overview of GDPR
• An understanding of the principles, terms and the key roles such as Data Controller, Data Processor and Data Protection Officer and their obligations under the Regulation
• A walk-through pf the Seven Data Management Principles
• An outline the rights of data subjects - i.e., the people whose data we hold
• The key steps that organisations need to take to become GDPR compliant. 

ALONE’s Schools/Youth Digital Champion Programme

Alone are offering Digital Champion training to students and youths nationwide so they can support older persons use their phone or device and be comfortable online. This a great opportunity for both young and old to learn new skills and transfer knowledge to help bridge the digital skills gap amongst older persons and foster a greater understanding between the two generations.

Digital skills and connection to family and friends is a huge issue faced by many older persons, so your interest and participation in this initiative is really appreciated.
For any questions or queries on this programme, please do not hesitate to contact:
digitalskills@alone.ie and a member of our team will be in contact with you.

The votes for the European LEADER AWARDS 2023 are OPEN

Leitrim Development Company has been a partner with Monaghan as lead and other local development companies on a project called Innovating Communities for the past 6 years. The project has been nominated for a European award and it would be great to be acknowledged at this level.

 

Can you kindly take 2 minutes to show your support for Leitrim Development Company and our friends in the local ldc’s by voting.

 

The awards competition has 118 LEADER projects for consideration, Leitrim Development Co project is Innovating Communities.

 

You have until the 4th December to vote! 

Volunteers needed!

Fenagh Visitor Centre are looking for volunteers at their Christmas Fair on the 9th of December.

#CheckMyLink online tool to target scammers. 

The Lifeblood of Fairer Communities - The Wheel Welcomes Launch of Charities Regulator Report on Small Charities 

Almost half of all charitable organisations (excluding schools and the HSE) are small
charities, engaged in local, community-based projects, according to a report published this week by the Charities Regulator.
“Small charities are the lifeblood of fairer communities,” says Ivan Cooper, CEO of The Wheel. “This latest report shows not only the breadth of the work being done across the country by local organisations, but the high level of trust the public has in them. This is a real validation of the work of the many staff and volunteers who keep these organisations running, often in very challenging circumstances.”
Almost half of the people surveyed (49%) said that they trusted small charities as they are “confident that the money reaches the intended beneficiaries,” according to the report. 

Centre for Creative Practices 

Centre for Creative practices are committed to professionally supporting Migrant Artists, Migrant Arts and Culturally Diverse Arts Communities, effectively showcasing and further developing their talents and enabling them to access resources, the local arts scene and promote cultural diversity.  They help migrant and culturally diverse artists to fulfil their creative potential for their own and societal benefit. 

Minding Creative Minds 

The Irish Creative sector is expansive and diverse, below is a sample guide of sectors who can now utilise the services of Minding Creative Minds;
• Music Sector Musicians & Live Event Crew & other workers in the sector (to include bookers / music students & personnel involved in all forms of music including trad / jazz and opera)

• Theatre Actors, producers, writers, designers, arts
administrators

• Film Actors, writers, designers & film crew

• Visual Art & Street
Art Visual artists, photographers, painters, sculptors etc.

• Dance artists & arts administrators

• Literature writers, poets, spoken word artists, comedians

• And more; Journalists and TV personnel covering the arts, Arts Centre Employees & Arts Venues, Performance Artists, Circus Performers
ROI: 1800 814 244
NI/UK: 0800 0903677
International: +353 1 518 0277
Or Text/WhatsApp “Hi” to 087 369 0010
(when you receive a response please mention “Minding Creative Minds” or that you are in contact from the Creative Sector)
Access to experienced team of trained counsellors and psychotherapists
who can offer medium-term intervention and advice covering practical, day
-to-day issues that cause anxiety and stress.
You can call or chat via text/Whatsapp on the numbers above.

Artist Workshop Proposal Submission - Mother Tongues Festival 2024

Mother Tongues Festival are on the lookout for artists interested in leading workshops at the Mother Tongues Festival 2024, taking place on Saturday, February 17th. 

They welcome any form of creative expression including music, visual arts, storytelling, traditional arts and crafts and performances of any kind. 

They welcome and evaluate all proposals but may give priority to those which link clearly to one of the following themes: 

• Creativity and multilingualism: an activity that promotes creativity and language, that fosters an understanding of linguistic diversity or an appreciation of all languages. 
• Languages from our heritage: an activity that promotes a single language by showing the relevance of the links between language and heritage in your blurb, please.

Give Guiding a Go

Irish girl guides are seeking additional volunteer Leaders to join their Leader Teams and enjoy all that Guiding has to offer.  It's fun! And you get back far more than you give! If any members would like to learn more or get involved, please contact, Anne Hyland, nerdo@irishgirlguides.ie.

Menopause and Mental Health Booklet

Mental Health Ireland has launched a new co-produced booklet on Menopause and Mental Health.  They are committed to build further resources next year and review the booklet every two years, so keep an eye on this space!

The Leitrim Basket Project

The Leitrim Basket Project aims to celebrate basket making traditions in Leitrim.  In this short film Rosa Meehan, Curator for the National Museum of Country Life, will tell us about the origins of this type of basket and the history of its use in Leitrim and the Northwest.  Expert basket maker Helena Golden, The Willow Woman, will show us how to harvest material and how to make this beautiful basket step by step.  As part of this project, Helena has also been collecting local knowledge associated with making and using these baskets in Leitrim and she will share the information and stories that she has gathered.  This is an initiative of the Leitrim County Council Heritage Office, funded by Creative Ireland.

New regulation on the protection of European craft and industrial products enters into force

The Craft and Industrial Geographical Indication (CIGI) Regulation entered into force today (Thursday).  The Regulation will harmonise the protection of valuable European craft and industrial products such as Donegal tweed,
Limoges porcelain or Madeira embroidery. Commissioner Thierry Breton said: "The many small and family-owned manufacturers of traditional craft products can now benefit from a new form of intellectual property protection, similar to what food and wine producers already have. This will increase trust and visibility for their products, contribute to maintaining skilled 23 jobs and promote the development of tourism,
including in rural areas".

Gambling Problem Counselling Service

A national gambling addiction / gambling dependency counselling service, that is available for free, 7 days a week and out of hours service.

Appointments are available for people over 16 years of age experiencing gambling issues/problems/addictions and their family members; who may be affected by their loved one’s gambling.

Each client is assigned a minimum of six free appointments in a 12-month period.

If your Counsellor feels you may need more and you are in agreement, then they can allot a further three or six free appointments.

If you want to cancel or postpone your appointment you must do so 48 hours in advance. Consequently, you will lose one of the free appointments.

Your first appointment will be one hour long in order for you to go over the counselling contract (which will be provided to you before the appointment begins via email), an initial assessment and risk assessment after this all appointments are 50 minutes long.

How does it work?

You can contact: gamblingsupport@helplink.ie or 0818 99 88 80 to arrange an appointment or to get more information.