Drumsna image taken by Jimmy Cahill

PPN Public Consultation for Strategic Plan

A meeting was held on Mon 24th June with Leitrim PPN member groups to input into the Strategic Plan for Leitrim PPN for the next four years.

This was facilitated by Orla Leydon and 17 member groups were represented.

Thanks to all for completed the SWOT analysis - results will be circulated in due course.

Leitrim PPN Member Survey Questions

Leitrim PPN are in the process of developing its four-year strategic plan for 2025 to 2028 inclusive.  This plan will drive the activities of Leitrim PPN for the next 4 years and ensure it continues to operate as a relevant and influential representation forum in County Leitrim.

 

As part of the strategy consultation the secretariat would like to get your views, as a PPN member organisation, on how the PPN can strengthen its role and effectiveness.

 

Therefore, we would be grateful if you would complete this short survey which should take less than 10 minutes, by the 13th July 2024. Rest assured this information will only be used for the purposes of supporting the development of the strategic plan.

 

Your input as a PPN member group is very valuable and we ask you to please complete this survey.

Love Where You Live Judging

The PPN are out judging for Love Where You Live with an independent judge from Cavan, the North of the County was visited on 17th June and the South of the County on 27th  June and 4th July.

 

1st prize is €500 and 2nd prize is €250 in each MD area.  All participants will receive a certificate and are invited to the awards night on 10th Oct in Lough Rynn Castle – 3 per group can attend.

 

Best of Luck to all who were shortlisted.

Useful Information for Your Community Group

The Wheel and NALA (National Adult Literacy Agency) are delighted to present the report “Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Literacy Needs in the Community and Voluntary Sector (2024)”. 

 

This report presents the findings of a research study undertaken to survey volunteers and staff in the community and voluntary sector on the level and nature of unmet literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy needs in the sector. 

Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Generation

SRESS (Small Scale Renewable Electricity Regeneration) will provide a fixed feed-in tariff for 15 years to community groups (Leitrim PPN), SMEs (LEO circulation) and farms (sustainable agriculture working group) that establish commercial renewable electricity projects ranging from 50kW to 6MW in size.  

Your Council Day 5th July

Your Council Day, the annual national event to highlight, promote and celebrate local government’s role in Irish life, will take place this Friday 5th July.

 

This year county and city councils will be promoting the positive impact they have upon people’s quality of life.

 

A Public Participation Network (PPN) is a local network that allows local authorities to connect with community groups in their geographic area.  Community groups register to join the PPN in their local authority area.  The network gives citizens a greater say in local government decisions which affect their own communities.  PPN's are set up under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development.  Each local PPN nominates community representatives to different structures, such as the (LCDC) Local Community Development Committee, (SPC) Strategic Policy Committee, (JPC) Joint Policing Committee & PeacePlus.  In this way, the community has a voice at the table where decisions are being made. 

 

PPN's work with three types of groups.  These are community and voluntary groups, environmental groups, and groups supporting social inclusion.

 

The purpose of the PPN is to allow these groups to give input and have their voices heard within the formal decision-making structures of Leitrim County Council and other committees and boards.

 

Whenever the local authority and other committees need people to participate in consultations or sit on the committees that form policies it will call on the PPN to select these people from amongst its members.  The focus of the PPN is to empower and assist groups to participate in local decision making.  This is the first time in Irish history that the Community & Voluntary Sector has been given the right to sit at the decision-making table BY LAW.  So let’s be sure to use it.

 

The PPN is the main link through which the Council, and many other decision-making bodies, connect with the local community, and is a fantastic source of information. 

Saolta the Global Citizenship Education strategic partnership programme for the Adult and Community Education will hold a barbeque for PPN members in The Organic Centre -

All Welcome

Gareth Conlon a Trainer at Saolta contacted Leitrim PPN to  invite us all to An SDG barbeque for PPN members in The Organic Centre, Rossinver on Sat 27th July from 1 to 3.30.

 

Spaces are limited, register by 23rd July.

The event will be fun and engaging. It will be an opportunity to bring PPN members together to celebrate our work and reinforce networks of the PPNs.

It will be a practical and experiential exploration of how PPN are a great way to take action of the local and global issues we face.

Saolta will explore ecosystem restoration in the context of the SDGs, the decade of ecosystem restoration and why global citizenship education is key for them to be achieved.

 

It will be hosted at The Organic Centre, Rossinver, a venue that is practicing ecosystem restoration. All the food sourced where at all possible will be from a local regenerative farm in the county that is restoring ecosystems while proving nutrient rich food to their local community.

 

Saolta are a Global Citizenship Education strategic partnership programme for the Adult and Community Education (ACE) sector in Ireland between Irish Aid and a consortium of organisations. Saolta explores a variety of global issues with stakeholders in the ACE sector and encourages informed action across Irish society. Issues such as poverty, inequality and climate change feature strongly as areas of exploration.

 

Spaces are limited – if interested please register asap. We thank Saolta for collaborating with Leitrim PPN on this.

Welcome to the PPN

Leitrim PPN would like to welcome all the new groups who recently registered with Leitrim PPN.

 

The benefits of joining & being part of Leitrim PPN

• Valuable local and regional networking opportunities (2 gatherings a year at Plenary in May & Nov)
• Greater access to regular community news and information through our social media & e bulletin (every 2 weeks)
• The opportunity to advertise members activities via the PPN e bulletin & social media
• Highlighting of training and funding opportunities, consultations & submissions
• Potential to influence policy making decisions relevant to County Leitrim
• Opportunity to become part of a linkage group which is a group of member stakeholder organisations with a common interest (3 different groups)
• Through linkage group representatives on key Committees & Boards an opportunity to have your views heard and contribute to local policy
• The opportunity to nominate members to sit on Boards or Committees or to become an elected PPN representative.

Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme

Total CEIGS funding of €650,000 is being made available under the 2024 call.

The maximum funding available for any individual project under this year’s funding round will be €100,000.

 

Only proposals which can demonstrate exceptional impact will be considered for this maximum level of funding.  Typical funding for CEIGS projects under the 2024 call is anticipated to be in the range of €10,000 to €50,000.

Applications for funding could focus on the thematic areas which relate to priorities for the circular economy in Ireland: plastics, construction & demolition waste, food waste and resources and raw materials (electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, furniture).

Deadline: 19th July

Community Recognition Fund Tranche 2

This fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.

 

Funding is targeted at and specifically invested in those communities, villages and towns where the highest level of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified.  Projects situated in areas that do not have high levels of new arrivals will not be deemed eligible. 

 

Projects to be funded will be capital in nature, deliver medium-long term benefits for the communities in which they are located, and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2025 and 2026.  Eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs, but not for any ongoing operational or running costs. 

 

Projects will be eligible for 100% of funding costs.

The minimum level of funding for an individual project is €50,000 with a maximum of €500,000.

 

Smaller projects cannot be artificially combined to meet the minimum threshold of €50,000 – while the 2023 scheme provided funding for small scale investment in clubs and communities (e.g. for small scale equipment), the focus of the 2024 scheme is on projects of greater scale and impact.

Deadline: 17th July

Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps Competition

Cúl Camps are giving you the chance to WIN cash for your club. There is a Grand Prize of €25,000 up for grabs for clubs, and 30 weekly prizes of €500 each  for you to win from.

To nominate your club, just buy a participating pack, enter code from the inside of the pack and select your club. You can nominate your club more than once, to increase their chances of winning.

€550,000 in Funding for Library Supports

This investment will provide a range of public library equipment to support the elderly and people with disabilities.

Shared Island Civic Society Fund

The Shared Island Civic Society Fund promotes practical North South cooperation and engagement across a range of sectors and themes consistent with the objectives and commitments of the Good Friday Agreement.

 

The Shared Island Civic Society Fund has been developed as part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative and is supported through the Shared Island Fund.

 

Deadline: 2nd August

Good Governance Awards Open for Entries

Any nonprofit organisation in Ireland, whether a charity, company, sports club or community association, can enter its annual report and financial statements into the Good Governance Awards for free and it will receive individual feedback to help improve future annual reports.  The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in November.

 

Nonprofits with an annual income of less than €100,000 will win 1 free place on a training course of their choice for entering the awards and will win 2 additional training places if they are shortlisted to win.

 

Deadline: 11th September

Cycle to Work Scheme

This scheme aims to encourage you to cycle to and from work. Under the scheme your employer can buy a bicycle and safety equipment for you. This will not be a taxable benefit-in-kind.

 

There are now three limits, depending on the type of bicycle purchased.

 

€3,000 on cargo and ecargo bikes

 

For pedelecs or ebikes and related safety equipment the limit is €1,500.

 

For other bicycles and related safety equipment the limit is now €1,250.

 

The following new safety equipment, if purchased with the bicycle, are also covered:

 

• cycle helmets
• bells and bulb horns
• lights, including dynamo packs
• mirrors and mudguards
• cycle clips and dress guards
• panniers, luggage carriers and straps
• locks and chains
• pumps, puncture repair kits, cycle tool kits and tyre sealant
• reflective clothing, white front reflectors and spoke reflectors

Doras Building Inclusive Integrated Communitie

A short survey to assist in the development of a longer term strategy to support communities and community groups working to promote inclusion and integration of migrant communities.

Win €1,000 for your Sports Club

Are you part of a sports club or sports organisation?

To be in with a chance to win, please take part in our short survey.

National Plan for Irish Language Provision in Early Learning and Care and School-Age Care

Did you know Early Years educators, School-Age Childcare practitioners and parents have a chance to voice their opinion on the national plan for Irish language provision in Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare?

Waterways Ireland Heritage & Biodiversity Plan 2030 Public Consultation

This plan sets out a framework to deliver heritage projects and initiatives in partnership with local communities and stakeholders across the island of Ireland.  

 

Deadline: 4th October

Participate in Climate Actions Work Survey

The ‘Climate Actions Work’ programme - a new, first of its kind national engagement and communications campaign to support and encourage action on climate and community resilience.

 

This campaign is designed to work with local communities and support them on their climate action journey.  A key component of the programme is the mapping of climate actions currently ongoing across the country through an online survey.

Training Course- Lets Talk About Suicide 

‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’, is a new, free, online suicide prevention training programme developed by the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). 

Furthering Your Funding with UCD PA & The Leadership Academy

There are 34,331 community, voluntary and charitable organisations in Ireland. Considering that registered charities employ a whopping 281,250 people, it comes as no surprise that the professional development of those working and volunteering in the sector is a crucial component for retaining talent.

 

So, how can charities overcome funding barriers to invest in upskilling their teams?

 

At UCD Professional Academy, they are thrilled to partner with The Leadership Academy (a project of The Wheel) to offer more financially accessible rates for its members.

 

Join them for a free webinar with The Leadership Academy to unbox key insights in the sector, and to learn more about the partnership.

 

This webinar will cover:

• Challenges faced and trending skills in the charity sector
• How UCD PA & The Leadership Academy work together to further your training investment
• Information on our portfolio of 40+ courses and our on-hand Student Services team

This session is taking place on 3rd July at 1pm.

Peace in a Polarised World - National Youth Council of Ireland

This workshop focuses on creating peace through building human connection at the personal, local, national and global levels. 

Supporting youth workers and young people to work towards peace in communities is essential to maintaining a strong foundation for tackling the global challenges facing our world today. 

 

This workshop includes: 

• Recognising your role as a peacemaker in your community. 
• Learning how to foster a middle ground between opposing views.  
• Considering conflicts arising at the at the personal, relational, community and global levels. 
• Working to prevent escalating external conflict amongst young people through recognising internal conflicts arising. 
• Building human connection as a form of peacebuilding at the personal, relational, community and global levels. 
• Exploring the root causes of current issues dividing society. 
• Considering what every day peacebuilding looks like. 
• Exploring the links between youth work and peacebuilding.  
• Understanding how to use peacebuilding as a tool in your toolkit for social change. 
• Connecting to the themes of peace, equality, conflict resolution, human connection building and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Hi Digital – Digital Skills Training for Older People

ALONE and Active Retirement Ireland have partnered with Vodafone Ireland Foundation to deliver a new nationwide 5-year digital skill training program for older people called Hi Digital.

 

You can register your interest in attending a workshop with ALONE by emailing digitalskills@alone.ie, you will then be sent a form complete.  You can also call ALONE’s Support Line on 0818 222 024.

Children Learning in Natural Outdoor Environments

Children Learning in Natural Outdoor Environments aims to encourage you, an early childhood educator, to reflect on the natural spaces and outdoor play experiences you provide and to think about the ways you can make learning outdoors as intriguing and engaging as possible for young children.

 

The course takes approximately 60 minutes to complete and there is a quiz at the end of each section.  You can pause or stop the course at any time, and resume where you left off. 

 

You can access a course certificate when you have completed the course.

Local Community Safety Partnership

Expression of Interest

Leitrim County Council invites interest for consideration for appointment as Chairperson of a new Local Community Safety Partnerships which is to be established in each Local Authority area in line with the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

 

Expressions of interest should be submitted by email to community@leitrimcoco.ie by Monday 15th July 2024.

Today marks the beginning of #PlasticFreeJuly

Plastic Free July is a global movement where people are encouraged to stop using single use plastics and explore other plastic free solutions so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.

 

The Plastic Free July challenge can be done at home and in the workplace and we would encourage all PPN members to get on board and try it themselves.

 

There are many small changes we can make in every aspect of our lives to make more environmentally friendly decisions, be it swapping our plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one, swapping our standard shampoo for a shampoo bar or even buying our clothes with natural materials instead of synthetic materials or shopping in our local charity shops.

 

The challenge is all about becoming more aware of the materials in what we buy and it’s packaging and making a conscious decision to change our consumer habits for the better.

Public Drinking Water Fountain Scheme Launched

The scheme, which will see the installation of over 350 water fountains all across the country, will be rolled out in phases over the next few years. Phase 1, which will commence later in 2024, will focus on the provision of drinking water fountains within public buildings, such as county buildings or libraries where there is an existing mains water supply. Phase 2, to commence in 2025, will see the scheme extended to public outdoor spaces such as community centres, swimming pools, parks, greenways and beaches.

ALONE's Q1 2024 Quarterly Report

As part of the Enhance Community Care Programme, ALONE has commissioned quarterly evaluation reports. The purpose of these reports is to demonstrate how ALONE has supported the HSE to achieve its vision of increased person-centred community health supports.

An Introduction to Small Scale Wind Generation

Take control of your electricity generation needs with this wind generation workshop on July 13th!

 

A shared learning experience developed around the refurbishment of a working 4m wind turbine. Explore the possibility of generating electricity with a turbine based on the well established Hugh Piggott Design, that you can build and maintain using DIY woodworking and metalworking skills.

 

The workshop begins at Leitrim Sculpture Centre Manorhamilton with an introduction to understanding wind power, including calculating potential energy at your location, assessing your energy needs, and choosing the best location for your mast.

 

This will be followed by a site visit to a working turbine under construction in nearby Glenboy, where we will look at the construction and erection of the turbine mast and learn about the requirements for connecting a wind turbine to your domestic or farm supply, whether you are off grid or grid connected.

 

Followed by a light lunch back at the Sculpture Centre and then a demonstration on the construction of the wooden blades for the Glenboy Turbine, including hands-on experience of marking out and carving a 1.2m scaled down version of the blades. Parking available at the nearby Bee Park Centre Eircode F91 HCD9

 

Tickets €50.  Places are limited so book early!

Manorhamilton Agricultural Show

It's the Artists time to shine at Manorhamilton Agricultural Show - Design, draw or paint your way to a win. 

Plenty of class in the art section for the youngsters too.  Plus, classes for the best handwriting in the country - simply write the poems which are on Manorhamilton Agricultural Show Facebook page.

Deadline for entries is 1pm on Friday 19th July Once again, the show cannot hang on to artwork. Exhibits must be brought to the marquee on show morning, July 27th. 

European Parliament - How Disinformation Works 4 episodes Podcast 

In today’s digital world, disinformation seems to be everywhere.  You’ve probably seen it.  And you may even have shared it.  But have you ever wondered why it is dangerous?  Or what you can do to counter it?

GreenBoost4WISEs

GreenBoost4WISEs has launched a call for selection of participants to study visits in Italy, Ireland, Austria and Belgium, besides coaching and mentoring activities, which will be centred on: Eco-friendly Organisations; Circular Economy; and new sector activities towards more greening and sustainability within WISEs.

 

This call covers financial support to third parties to join the study visits, but also to receive coaching and mentoring.

All activities will take place between September 2024 and November 2024.

Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission have developed a series of fact sheets on a range of topical themes emerging from their legal case work

This Week is Leitrim Community Garden Week 

Launch of Leitrim Community Garden Network

 

Leitrim celebrates community, nature, and sustainability with the launch of the Leitrim Community Garden Network during Leitrim Community Garden Week this week.

 

This week of events is co-ordinated and funded by Leitrim Development Company’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), who have compiled a detailed map of community gardens across County Leitrim.

 

The map features over 18 vibrant gardens, showcasing the rich diversity and dedication of community groups throughout Leitrim. These gardens foster community participation and engagement, bringing together men’s and women’s groups, residents’ associations, TidyTowns groups, and more.

 

The week-long event kicks off this Tuesday, 2nd July, at the Breffni Family Resource Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon and continues with various activities in community gardens across County Leitrim.

 

Events and workshops are taking place in Carrick, Ballinamore, Drumshanbo, Killenummery, Kiltyclogher, and Mohill (See full programme). All events are free and open to the public – with music, refreshments, gardening skills workshops, and seed planting workshops for kids.

 

Be sure to come along to your local community garden event, and check out our map of community gardens to find, join, or visit a community garden near you.

 

Contact caillin@ldco.ie for all enquiries.

Organise an Event or Project for Heritage Week

National Heritage Week 2024 invites you to explore the connections, routes and networks that link our communities.

 

This year with the huge interest in digital heritage projects, the Heritage Council invites individuals, communities and organisations to develop Heritage Week in-person events and/or digital projects.

 

Theme for National Heritage Week 2024

The theme for National Heritage Week 2024 is Connections, Routes and Networks. Organisers are asked to consider the following when planning their activities:

How we can best examine and identify the connections within and between ourselves and our communities? What are the routes that may have existed in our area but are no longer in use?

Getting to Grips with Peatland Archaeology: Locating and learning about the sites and finds discovered in your local area

Tuesday 4th July - 7.30pm - Online

 

Join Claire Nolan and Cathy Moore from the Irish Peatland Archaeology Across Time team for a workshop on the digital tools you can access and use to find out more about the peatland archaeology in your area.

 

The workshop will provide guidance on how to use online applications such as the National Monuments Historic Environment Viewer to establish the types and location of the archaeological sites and finds that have been discovered/identified in your area.  There will be time during the workshop to try your hand at these tools for yourself and to ask questions.  The session will also point to other relevant digital archaeological resources that you can delve into in your own time.

How to Apply for Garda Vetting?

As part of Leitrim Volunteer Centre's commitment to support and promote volunteering, Leitrim Volunteer Centre provides a Garda Vetting service for voluntary and community groups within our local area.  Leitrim Volunteer Centre is registered with the National Vetting Bureau to provide a vetting service for small to medium sized organisations who wish to vet their volunteers, but who do not have access to a Liaison person within their own organisation.  Any person whose work or activity involves access to children or vulnerable adults must be vetted. For details on the process please contact Orla at orla@volunteerleitrim.ie or by phoning 0719622537.

In general to avail of this service:

Your organisation will be required to register with Leitrim Volunteer Centre and sign a Service Level Agreement with them before service can commence.