Looking Northwest from Si Mor over Kilclare and Sliabh an Iarainn Mountains behind Drumshanbo image taken by Phil Appleby

Important Documents about your County on Leitrim County Council website

Toy Show Appeal

To date the Toy Show Appeal has raised over €26 million since its inception in 2020.

 

169 grants to benefit over one million children in every county in Ireland – well done to our member group Mohill Family Support Centre for securing funding.

Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme

Congratulations to some of our member groups who were successful in the recent Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme.

Love Where You Live 2025 - Judging

Thank you to all the community groups who entered the Love Where You Live Awards - judging for the Community Achievement and Social Inclusion sections will take place on Mon 7th July, Tue 8th July and Wed 9th July by an independent judge.

 

Please have your committee and volunteers informed so you can showcase your group to the judges on the day.  Look forward to meeting all who entered.

Launch of Commencement of works in Carrigallen

Minister Dara Calleary TD visited Carrigallen GFC club recently to mark the official commencement of Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht funded improvement works.  The works will include the development of a multi purpose sensory space and improved accessibility. 

 

Pictured: Leitrim PPN Secretariat Member Bernie Mulligan Dolan speaking at the launch.

Leitrim PPN Member Spotlight
Leitrim Local Environmental Network

Leitrim Environmental Network (LEN) is a volunteer-led community group connecting individuals, organisations, and local representatives who care about protecting and enhancing our local environment.  They act as a hub for sharing information, promoting local action, and raising awareness about biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable living in County Leitrim. 

Thank you LEN for all your support to Leitrim PPN!

National Youth Council of Ireland:
One World Week Seed Fund

The NYCI 2025 One World Week Seed Fund applications in association with Irish Aid have launched! The fund is an exciting opportunity for youth organisations to explore an aspect of the Sustainable Development Goals, and to connect young people's personal experiences with their local community and the wider world.

 

Deadline: 8th July

Connecting for Life Sligo Leitrim Grant Aid 2025

HSE Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Service and the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention are seeking applications for once off funding of between €5,000 and a maximum of €10,000 from local community and voluntary groups.  This funding is aimed at initiatives to reach at risk/vulnerable groups in relation to improving their mental health and wellbeing, and reducing the risk of self-harm and suicide.

 

Deadline: 11th July

SE Systems Community Fund Summer Call

Is your community group looking to lower energy costs and reduce carbon emissions?  The SE Systems Community Fund Summer Call is here to help!  They support non-profits, charities, and voluntary organisations in delivering impactful energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that create long-term benefits for communities across Ireland.

 

For Summer 2025, they are making €500,000 in funding available to help organisations future-proof their buildings through sustainable energy upgrades.

This fund is open to community and voluntary groups, non-profits, registered charities and housing associations operating in the Republic of Ireland.

Deadline: 18th July

2025 AIC Scheme Bursary Awards

The bursary award is aimed at individual professional artists who collaborate with individuals or groups/ communities (non-arts professionals).  Artists must have a track record of making and interpreting art collaboratively with communities.

 

The objective of the Artist in the Community (AIC) Scheme Bursary Award is to support individual professional artists in any artform to develop their collaborative socially engaged arts practice.  There will be two awards of €20,000 awarded in 2025, offering the artists time to reflect on, and develop, their practice.

 

Deadline: 21st July

Theatre Project Award 2025

The objective of the Theatre Project Award (strands 1 and 2) is to support the development, generation and creation of theatre for general audiences.  The award is open to professional artists and organisations with a demonstrable track record in theatre practice, in collaboration with artists and/or in partnership with existing theatre organisations, arts centres or festivals, where that partnership is additional to, and separate from, that organisation’s core activity.

 

There are two strands to the 2025 Round 2 Theatre Project Award:

• Strand 1 – Play Development (up to €15,000)
• Strand 2 – Theatre Creation (up to €26,000)

Deadline: 24th July

Participatory Arts Project Award 2026

The purpose of the Participatory Arts Project Award is to support proposals

from professional artists or arts organisations, working across all artforms, to

collaborate artistically with non-arts professionals.

 

They prioritise proposals that:

• Involve an excellent quality of artistic collaboration between professional artists and individuals, groups or communities that are not arts professionals
• Clearly outline artistic goals, ambition and merit, alongside any other goals, such as social inclusion, community development, human rights, climate action, health or any other areas of interest
• Include activity that is developed in partnership, and outlines how the project will value the different ideas, experiences and skills of all involved
• Includes individuals and groups that experience barriers to access and engagement with the arts (for example, people protected under the Equal Status Acts 2000–2018, outlined within Arts Council Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy)
• Demonstrates an awareness of current participatory arts practice in Ireland relevant to the proposal, and has the potential to have a wider impact.

The maximum award available is €60,000

 

Deadline: 24th July

Street Performance and Spectacle Project Award 2026

The purpose of the award is to support the production of ambitious, high quality, professional street performance and spectacle initiatives that specifically deliver a presentation to, or an engagement with, an audience or public.

 

There are two strands in this award:

Strand 1 – Up to €50, 000

The objective of Strand 1 is to support the production of high-quality, professional street performance and spectacle projects that are new to both the artists involved and to audiences, to be presented along with project partners such as festivals, arts centres and local authorities.

 

Strand 2 – Up to €100, 000

This strand is a once-off addition to the Street Performance and Spectacle Project Award for 2026, and is open to artists and organisations with a demonstrable track record in delivering high-quality, ambitious street performance and spectacle presentations to audiences.

This strand invites applications for the production and presentation of large scale street performance and spectacle productions that are ambitious, of high quality, and will be presented free of cost to the public in partnership with local authorities.

 

Deadline: 24th July

LAWPRO's Water Heritage Day Grants Scheme is now open! 

Community groups are invited to host events to celebrate Water Heritage Day 2025. Whether it’s a river walk, lakeside talk, or a creative local history project, there are plenty of ways to get involved!

 

A total of €30,000 is available through the scheme.  Water Heritage Day takes place on Sunday August 24th as part of Heritage Week and in partnership with The Heritage Council.

 

You can also submit your event to be considered for a Water Heritage Award! 

 

Deadline: 25th July

UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty  

Applications are now open for funding for UN Day 2025 projects.

 

Each year the Department of Social Protection provides funding for small public awareness initiatives to promote awareness of the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and support the work of the Irish 17 October Committee in networking with the groups responsible for the various commemorative initiatives and projects nationwide.  This funding is open to anti-poverty organisations and groups working with people experiencing poverty at national or local level.

 

Deadline: 25th July

2025 LGBTIQ+ Community Services Funding Call

Minister Foley has announced €1.4 million in funding to support LGBTIQ+ people through the opening of the 2025 LGBTIQ+ Community Services Funding Call.

 

€1.400,000 is being made available to applicant groups, operating at national, regional and local level, to support community services and promote visibility and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people

 

Funding aims to promote inclusion, protect rights and to improve quality of life and wellbeing for LGBTIQ+ people in Ireland.

 

Grant scheme is open to applications from existing LGBTIQ+ non-government organisations and community organisations working with LGBTIQ+ people.

 

Deadline: 30th July

Irish-Language Theatre Production and Touring Award

The Irish-Language Theatre Award supports the production and touring of large-scale Irish-language theatre.  It focuses on ensuring more people can enjoy high-quality theatre experiences in the Irish language throughout the country.

 

The maximum awarded is €400,000 to organisations and individuals working professionally in theatre who must be based on the island of Ireland.

 

Proposals must clearly show benefit to the arts in the Republic of Ireland and include performances in at least four major urban centres on the island of Ireland, with a minimum of two nights in each centre, at least one of which must be in Northern Ireland.

Deadline: 31st July

Wildlife Acoustics Grant Program 2025

Wildlife Acoustics is proud to offer a quarterly grant program that supports the advancement of wildlife research, habitat monitoring, and environmental conservation.  Scientists may apply for a product grant to advance the study of bats, birds, amphibians, and other terrestrial wildlife—or a travel grant to help them attend a conference with their peers.

 

Deadline: 15th August

#BeActive EU Sport Awards

The #BeActive EU Sport Awards build on the success of the past #BeActive Awards and #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards.

The objective is to recognise innovative projects that encourage sport and physical activity across Europe.  

They also acknowledge exceptional projects that inspire action and encourage community engagement across the continent.

 

Categories

The competition includes 5 new categories:

•    Physical activity
•    Inclusion
•    Volunteering
•    Across Generations
•    Peace

Budget and prizes

With a substantial budget of €125,000, the awards will be presented to 1 winner and 2 finalists in each category.

The winner will receive €15,000. Each finalist will receive €5,000. 

 

Deadline: 24th September

Heritage Keepers: Round 5

Heritage Keepers is a free national programme open to senior classes (5th and 6th) in primary schools and to community groups that enables you to discover your local built, cultural and natural heritage. Over five 2-hour workshops you will explore the heritage in your local place and then plan a funded action to enhance that place.

Have fun, learn something new, make a difference – become a Heritage Keeper!

 

Deadline: 30th September

European Energy Communities Facility Grant Programme

The European Energy Communities Facility has just launched its first call for proposals.  From now until 30 September, emerging energy communities can apply for a lump sum grant of €45,000 to develop a robust business plan for their project. Moreover, if your application is successful, you will have access to national peer-to-peer exchanges and a capacity-building programme to support you in developing and implementing the business plan. In this call, the Facility will distribute over €3 million among 73 initiatives in total, empowering citizens to drive a fair, democratic and sustainable energy transition.

 

The grant will cover all groundwork needed to prepare a business plan for your energy community: technical and financial assessments, legal and administrative procedures, and other pre-development tasks such as feasibility studies. Preparatory work necessary to structure a sound, viable, and bankable business plan can be covered.   While the main objective of the call is to help emerging energy communities secure the financing required to bring their project to life and professionalise their activities, already established energy communities aiming to explore new services can also apply.

 

Deadline: 30th September

Implementing the Disability Employment Package – Innovative Approaches to Improve Labour Market Outcomes for Persons With Disabilities

This call supports transnational projects under the ESF+ Social Innovation Plus Initiative that aim to transfer or scale up social innovations referenced in the Disability Employment Package.  The goal is to improve the labour market outcomes of persons with disabilities by providing guidance and good practices for employers, employers’ associations, and public authorities, as well as by raising awareness about persons with disabilities and by combating stereotypes.

 

Who can apply: Only consortia are eligible.  

The consortium shall comprise a minimum of three eligible entities established in at least two different eligible countries, of which at least one entity should be a public authority.

Duration: The expected duration of a project is 18-24 months.

Grant amount: The estimated size of a grant is between EUR 500,000 to 1,000,000 per project (but this does not preclude the submission/selection of applications requesting other amounts), constituting not more than 80% of the project’s total budget.  A co-financing of at least 20% must thus come from other resources than the EU budget.

 

Deadline: 30th October

Public Consultation Meeting - ONLINE

The next Our Rural Future consultation is happening on July 8th. This event is online. We would value your input to a discussion around the opportunities and challenges of importance for rural Ireland.

Public Consultation Meeting - ONLINE

Leitrim County Council is developing a Digital Strategy for 2026-2029 that will build upon the success of Digital Leitrim 2022-2025 over the last number of years and capitalise on the progress made in the rollout of fibre connectivity and digitalisation.

This new strategy will:

• Bring forward and develop a vision for rural connectivity and digitalisation for County Leitrim.
• Support Leitrim County Council to achieve its commitments under Connecting Government 2030.
• Consider how further enhancements around fibre connectivity and digitalisation can support community and economic development in the County, supporting remote working opportunities and create sought after quality-of-life experiences for those considering County Leitrim as a base.
• To help us develop the most relevant and useful strategic objectives and associated actions for our communities and our businesses we welcome feedback on what would be most useful and how we can ensure no sections of our community are left behind as we embrace and use new technology as a society.

We are asking for feedback to help shape the future of digital services and innovation in our community by identifying needs and opportunities related to how we can engage with and use technology, for example:

• broadband and Wi-Fi development,
• digital skills enhancement for community and business,
• digital banking / transactions
• social media platforms,
• cyber security,
• use of artificial intelligence (AI),
• e-health opportunities and
• opportunities for the development and use of virtual reality experiences.

Leitrim PPN are inviting you a zoom on Thurs 10th July at 7pm.  Please register your interest in attending this zoom below to learn more and have your group input into digital services and innovation in our community.  There will be a brief presentation followed by your input.

FASD Ireland: Parents & Carers Survey

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are looking to hear from Parents & Carers who to help develop Peer Support!  This brief online survey is now live and FASD Ireland would appreciate people taking a few minutes to complete it.  The responses received will help shape the future services that they offer.

 

Deadline: 9th July

Confidence & Self Talk

Very often our Disabled Persons' Organisations are called upon to make representations to other groups and committees.  To support their members in this work, they are running a talk/ workshop for disabled people in Sligo and the surrounding areas of Mayo/ Leitirm/Donegal.  The workshop is around how to prepare if you are meeting politicians or making a presentation on disability issues.

 

This workshop will take place on Thursday, July 10th from 12 to 1 pm.  It will be online, but if anyone needs to attend in person at a venue in Sligo, please let Aisling know as soon as possible and depending on numbers they will try and accommodate that.  You can register by messaging aislingsmith@ilmi.ie and the Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the time.

Workshop Repeat: Top 50 Things to do Now in Preparation for LE2029

As the 2029 Local Elections are approximately 50 months away we have created a list of actions women can do to start putting a local election campaign together - and See Her Elected will discuss why now is a great time to start.

 

Facilitated by political strategist and former journalist Kathleen O’Meara, these sessions will introduce participants to the full list of 50 actions, offering step-by-step insights into how to build a profile and other practical skills.

 

Designed to meet the needs of busy women, there will be an evening session on Monday 30th June, from 8pm to 9pm with a lunchtime repeat on Tuesday July 1st (1pm to 2pm).

Gender equality in Civil Society Organisations Leadership (Boards)

This is a dynamic training session designed to spark real change where it’s needed most.  While civil society and volunteer-driven organisations often champion inclusivity, leadership roles still don’t reflect the diversity of those they serve.

 

Online, Monday 14 July.

Project Dandelion

A WOMEN-LED GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

 

Calling on women of the world to unite in action for a climate safe world Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland;

Chair, The Elders; Co-Founder, Project Dandelion Mary Robinson

Warning over increased risk to endangered birds' nests from dogs

"We would ask people to keep their dogs on a leash, or ideally, don't bring dogs to sensitive areas - wetlands, bogs and heat and coastal areas - particularly between the months of March and August,"

Only 4.3% of Irish farmers are under 35

Rural Ireland is at a crossroads — and the future of food, farming, and the land needs you.

Whether you’re into agroecology, local food, climate action or rural regeneration — there’s a place for you in this movement.

Talamh Beo are offering FREE MEMBERSHIP to under 30's.
Join Talamh Beo and use your voice to shape a just agri-food system.

POP!           A New Guide for Planning for Outdoor Performance

The Planning for Outdoor Performance (POP) partnership initiative has successfully concluded with the release of a comprehensive guide designed to support the creation of outdoor arts events in public spaces.  This initiative, a partnership between five Local Authority Arts Offices, including Tipperary Arts Office, was funded by the Arts Council’s Invitation to Collaboration scheme with additional support from the five Local Authority partners.

POP aimed to empower more groups to confidently create art in public spaces by providing essential information and tools.  The initiative brought together Local Authorities, arts organisations, performers and communities through a comprehensive training programme and a series of pilot outdoor arts events in new public spaces.  The culmination of this effort is a detailed guide, marking the final phase of the initiative.

Call for organisations and groups to be Sustainable Development Goal Champions for 2025-2026

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is now seeking Expressions of Interest for participants in the 2025-26 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions Programme.

As part of the 2025-2026 programme, a number of organisations and groups from across the country will be appointed ‘SDG Champions’ to help raise awareness of the importance of the SDGs. As Champions, they will show through their own actions that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 

Deadline: 30th July

Calling all LGFA Clubs

Lidl Ireland's #SeriousSupport Club Programme developed in partnership with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association is a five-step mental health awareness programme for LGFA Clubs to raise awareness and improve their understanding of mental health within their club using 5 themes.

'Before Damage is Done' campaign encourages blood pressure check

High blood pressure is blood pressure that is consistently higher than normal. The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. The ideal blood pressure is less than 120/70. For most people, high blood pressure is 140/90 or more. This will be lower if you have other conditions like diabetes or kidney disease or if you’ve had a stroke or already have heart disease.

Dry Stone Wall Building

Now with UNESCO heritage status join master craftsman Michael Fearnhead for a Dry stone wall building weekend - July 5th/ July 6th.

Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. 

 

Will you be part of Plastic Free July by pledging to refuse single-use plastics?

Free smoke and vape free signage available for GAA Clubs and County Grounds

The GAA, in collaboration with the Department of Health, is delighted to announce the return of the Smoke and Vape-Free GAA Venues initiative for 2025, made possible through generous funding from Healthy Ireland and the Tomar Trust.

 

This initiative supports GAA clubs and County Grounds in promoting healthier environments by providing outdoor and pitch-side signage that clearly communicates a club’s decision to adopt a Smoke and Vape-Free policy on its grounds. Since its launch in 2017, more than 450 GAA clubs and 16 County Grounds/Centres of Excellence have implemented this important policy.

 

Thanks to renewed funding—Healthy Ireland supporting clubs in the Republic of Ireland and the Tomar Trust supporting clubs in the North—approximately 100 clubs or County grounds will receive signage in 2025.

 

Priority will be given to clubs participating in the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme, but applications are also welcomed from the wider club network and will be considered based on available resources.

Performance space at The Dock - Notice

The performance space at The Dock will be closed for the entirety of July, in order for The Dock to perform necessary maintenance and up keeping.

The rest of the building will remain open, including The Leitrim Design House and their ongoing exhibition 'Tilt' by Noémie Goudal, currently on display in the galleries.

'Tilt' will conclude its run in The Dock at the beginning of August.