Ballinamore - image taken by Martina McTiernan

GREENHEALTH Project Stakeholder Meeting

Leitrim PPN members are invited to the next GREENHEALTH Project Stakeholder meeting which will take place on Thursday 23 May 2024 in Kinlough Community Centre @10am.

 

At this meeting there will be given an update of the Interreg Europe GREENHEALTH Project by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

 

This meeting is being organised to coincide with the Greenhealth International Partner Meeting which takes place over the 22nd and 23rd May in Co. Leitrim.

 

The International Partners will visit Kinlough on the 23rd and local Stakeholders will be given the opportunity to network and speak with these partners following the Stakeholder meeting.

Leitrim PPN Summer Plenary - Thank You

We had our summer plenary on Thurs 9th May in Mohill attended by over 85 people.

 

The meeting included a number of presentations illustrating a flavour of the many activities which come under the PPN remit.

 

Thanks to the following for great speeches and presentations:-

• Sergeant Orla Mc Grath, Community Policing, An Garda Síochána Sligo/ Leitrim on the Lifesaver Project.
  
• Louise Mc Geever, Road Safety Promotions Officer RSA.
  
• Bernie Mulligan Dolan (Secretariat Member), Health & Wellbeing Officer for Leitrim GAA Healthy Clubs.
• Elaine Mc Keon Community Development in Leitrim County Council.
• Emer Connolly (LCC)  explained all about The Leitrim Gathering in May 2025.
• Brian Smyth (Secretariat) talked on activism in the community & voluntary sector.

Huge thanks to our facilitator of Patrick Mc Greevy for doing a great job as MC, thanks to Majella and her team for their professionalism, to Lena’s Catering in Eslin for the tasty buffet and Peadar Flynn for sound.

 

Thanks to all the member groups for coming out and showcasing what they do on this the 10th Anniversary of PPN’s nationally. 

 

Next Plenary is in November in North Leitrim.

Useful Information for Your Community Group

Setting Up a New Non-Profit

National PPN Workers Meeting

National PPN Workers meeting last Wednesday in Department of Rural & Community Development, pictured are some of the workers.

 

Suzanne Rogers from Social Justice Ireland attended and reminded PPN member groups to avail of their FREE training.

The online only self-paced training videos programme for PPN stakeholders has been developed with SJI.  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 PPNs (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.

 

This training is available to the following PPN Stakeholders:

–             PPN Workers

–             PPN Secretariat Members

–             PPN Representatives

–             PPN Member Groups

–             Local Authority Staff

–             Elected Councillors

Official Launch of the Co. Leitrim 2023 -2027 LEADER Programme 

Leitrim PPN attended the Official Launch of the LEADER Programme.  

Wednesday 8th May marked the official launch of the Co. Leitrim 2023 -2027 LEADER Programme by Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Cllr Justin Warnock at Carrick Business Campus.  Speakers at the event were LCDC Chairperson, James Gallagher, CEO Leitrim Development Company, Chris Gonley and A/Director of Service, Leitrim County Council, Justin Fannon.

The event was a positive start to the Co. Leitrim 2023 - 2027 LEADER Programme.

Pictured are Leitrim PPN Secretariat members with PPN staff.

PPN Reps Support

Leitrim PPN invite you to a PPN Rep support evening in Leitrim Development Company, Drumshanbo on Thursday 6th June at 8pm for Reps on boards and forums and Thurs 13th June for Reps on Council committees only. Both meetings will be for just one hour.

You will receive an email individually.  Please save the date’s.

 

Liam Scollan will facilitate the evening and we will:

Provide you with the results of the recent survey of PPN Reps

Hear what additional points you may want to make that would support your work as a PPN Rep and

Receive information and some templates to support your work.

National Volunteering Week 20th to 26th May

Well done to Leitrim Volunteer Centre for organising a great roadshow and Leitrim PPN were delighted to be part of it on Fri 17th May in the Mayflower, Drumshanbo.

Thanks to all who visited our stand.

National Biodiversity Week 18th to 26th May

Following our call out for events for Biodiversity Week which was circulated on Social Media here is our list of events;

 

Thursday 23rd May Woodland Wander & Bat Walk Kinlough Eco Park
8:00pm - 10:30pm A woodland wander under the canopy of the Eco Park Woodland. Experience a tree from an arborculturist eye with Shailagh Healy. At sunset, join Biodiversity Officer, Rebeccah Cogan for a bat walk to learn more about bats and to see these elusive mammals in action!

 

Saturday 25th May Dawn Chorus - Birds, Bats & Moths Drumreilly Woods, Garadice, Ballinamore
5:00am start Rise early and listen to the magical Dawn Chorus on the shores of Lake Garadice. Heather Bothwell will lead the event and will also set up moth traps to show us the diversity of moths that are found in the woodland. 

 

Leitrim Local Environmental Network invites you to a Bio Blitz event for Biodiversity Week at the Dromahaire Street Feast! Join them at The Park in Dromahaire on Sunday May 26th, from 1pm to 4pm, for an afternoon of fun and discovery.

Meeting of all PPN Member groups

Public Consultation

Monday 24th June at 7.30pm in LDCo, Drumshanbo.

Public consultation to involve all PPN member groups in the future planning of Leitrim PPN and help identify goals to support the Strategic Plan.

 

All 3 linkage group members, facilitators, Leitrim PPN member groups, secretariat and staff to attend.  Facilitated by Orla Leydon, Office & Training Solutions.

Come have your say – tea/coffee at 7.30pm.

An Garda Síochána Launch the LifeSaver Project

The Lifesaver Project is a new road safety education program delivered by members of An Garda Síochána. It is a hard hitting and realistic road safety presentation highlighting the devastating effects that road traffic collisions have on people’s lives.

 

Sergeant Orla McGrath gave a presentation on this at our recent plenary.  Contact Orla if you would like her to give a presentation to your community group.

Presentation from Ronan Kennedy, Senior Policy Officer (Oireachtas Liaison and Democratic Freedoms) Irish Council for Civil Liberties

The national PPN network will be hosting a presentation from Ronan Kennedy, Senior Policy Officer (Oireachtas Liaison and Democratic Freedoms) Irish Council for Civil Liberties on their recent publication:

“That’s Not Your Role : State Funding and Advocacy in the Irish Community, Voluntary and Non-Profit Sector”

 

This is an important topic for PPN's as Liam Herrick, Executive Director, ICCL highlights the report finds “a worrying level of self-censorship amongst the community and voluntary sector, based on the risks – perceived or stated – that criticism of the State will negatively impact on an organisation’s funding….. this is entirely at odds with the principles of public participation, freedom of association and freedom of expression, and the critical role civil society plays in shaping cohesive and well-informed public policy. Many organisations are put in the impossible position of having to choose between speaking up on behalf of their members and service users, or keeping quiet to protect their funding to provide often critical services……………..We also found that the State’s stakeholder engagement process is not fit for purpose for the community and voluntary sector. Research participants reported to us that the benefits of taking part in these processes are not worth the effort and that they are ambivalent about taking part in future processes.”

 

Please join ICCL to find out more about the implications and recommendations of this report for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

 

Topic: ICCL 'That's Not Your Role' report presentation for PPN Network

Time: Tuesday May 28, 2024 10:30 AM

Innovation, Knowledge Exchange | EIP-AGRI newsletter: Call for input from PPN members

If you have relevant information for the EU CAP Network based on innovation in agriculture - e.g. a video, a funding opportunity, an inspirational idea, a call for contributions, a survey, a report, then please do send it to: innovation-knowledge@eucapnetwork.eu.

 

EIP-AGRI newsletter go out on the second Thursday of every month, so please send the information at least four weeks before that date.

 

In Spring 2024, EIP-AGRI newsletter will publish a thematic newsletter on bees and pollinators. If you have relevant news related to this topic, please send it also!

Linkage Group Meeting

Social Inclusion, Disability, Rural Development, Peace and Reconciliation Linkage Group meeting in Leitrim Development Company on Wed 5th June at 7.30pm.

The focus of this gathering is on Social Inclusion Week, there will be a guest speaker and Q & A time.

All PPN member groups invited.

Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion Programme - PEACEPLUS Programme

The Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion Programme will support social, economic and environmental projects which contribute to the creation of healthy communities in rural areas.  By adopting a strengths-based approach, the programme will contribute to the creation of a more balanced Programme Area, in which our rural communities thrive and reach their full potential through health and wellbeing focused solutions, while also tackling social isolation and promoting enhanced social inclusion, creating healthy and inclusive rural communities.

This objective will create a more cohesive society through an increased provision of shared space and services in rural areas.

It will result in strategic investment designed to allow rural communities to thrive and reach their full economic, social and environmental potential.

€50m is available in this call.

 

Deadline: 23rd May

The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme

You can now apply for Government-backed, low-cost loans to upgrade the energy performance of your home. Investing in energy efficiency will make your home warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, while reducing your carbon footprint.  The purpose of the loan must be to carry out home energy upgrade works that are also grant-aided through SEAI.

You can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 for a term of up to 10 years and the interest rates will be significantly lower than those generally available in the market but will differ among the finance providers.

CERV - Proposals to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children

The EU's funding programme for citizens' engagement and the implementation of EU rights and values.

This calls aims to fund projects that will  fight violence, including gender-based violence and violence against children.

‍

Deadline: 29th May

Aldi Community Grant

ALDI Ireland has launched its 2024 Community Grants programme, which features an expanded offering to mark 25 years of ALDI in Ireland.

ALDI is calling on charities and community organisations to nominate themselves for a €500 ALDI gift card by visiting their local ALDI store. Staff from each of ALDI’s 161 stores, its two distribution centres and corporate offices will then vote for a charity or community organisation in its local area to make the award to, enabling ALDI’s staff to help the most worthy and impactful causes they care most about in their local communities.

For 2024, to coincide with ALDI Ireland’s 25th anniversary, the retailer will also be selecting 26 charities or community groups, one per county, to receive an additional support of €2,000 worth of ALDI gift cards.

 

Deadline: 31st May

Markievicz Award 2024

Applications are now open for the Markievicz Award 2024, a bursary scheme for artists valued at €25,000.

Deadline: 6 June.

Táthar ag cur fáilte anois roimh iarratais do scéim sparánachta Dhuais Markievicz 2024 ar fiú €25,000 í.

6 Meitheamh an dáta deiridh d’iarratais.

New Free Travel Scheme Extension is now Open for Applications

From the end of July, the Free Travel Scheme will be extended to people who have never been able to drive due to a disability, and to drivers who have a licence and are medically certified as not fit to drive for a period of 12 months or longer. The measure is expected to benefit 32,000 people this year.

Scholarships in End-of-Life and Bereavement Care

Applications are open for Irish Hospice Foundation’s 2024/2025 Scholarships in End-of-Life and Bereavement Care.

 

Irish Hospice Foundation offers a small number of scholarships up to the value of €3,000 each to make education in end-of-life and bereavement care accessible to multiple disciplines (nursing, medicine, allied health professionals and others).

 

Applicants from acute, nursing home and community health sectors, including counsellors/therapists in private practice, as well as applicants from general voluntary community/sectors, are invited to apply for the scholarships for the 2024/2025 academic year.

 

Deadline: 31st May

EU-wide Disability and Parking Cards

EU Disability and Parking cards will grant card holders access to most of the same conditions as national card holders.

 

Equal access to preferential conditions for persons with disabilities, such as priority access and access to reserved parking.

European Disability Card to be issued and renewed free of charge.

Those temporarily moving to another EU country to study also covered by the new rules.

Music Network Music Capital Scheme

The scheme supports funding for the purchase of musical instruments and equipment to individual professional musicians and non-professional groups nationwide. 

 

The three awards which are now available are outlined below;  

 

• Music Capital Scheme Award 1 supports the purchase of musical instruments by non-professional performing groups
• Music Capital Scheme Award 2 supports the purchase of musical instruments by individual established professional performing musicians
• Music Capital Scheme Award 3 supports the purchase of musical instruments by individual emerging professional performing musicians

This year there is a total of €542,000 in funding available through these three awards.

Deadline: 25th June.

ServiceNow Community Improvement Fund

ChangeX, in partnership with ServiceNow, is expanding the ServiceNow Community Improvement Fund to new markets, helping fund community improvement projects that are focused on decarbonisation efforts in Ireland.

 

Together, ChangeX and ServiceNow are committed to sustainable development that helps create thriving and sustainable communities across the world. This initiative, now focused in nine regions around the world, helps to provide local community groups and organisations with the proper resources to start or expand projects focused on decarbonisation.

 

Alternatively, organisations can also choose from three proven ideas that have already had a positive social or environmental impact in communities across the world: Precious Plastic (funding available €18,000 per new project), Ecosystem Restoration Communities (ERC) (funding available €20,000 per new project) and Solar Education (funding available €1,900 per new project)#

Deadline: 31st May

Creativity Pioneers Fund

The Creativity Pioneers Fund catalyzes transformational social change by investing in, connecting, and championing cultural and creative organizations that advance bold and unconventional practices for building a more just, inclusive, and equitable world.  The program supports non-profit organizations that reinforce the critical role of creativity in driving social impact and are actively involved in creative skills development.

 

The Creativity Pioneers Fund provides unrestricted funding with a 5,000 euro grant to organizations to help sustain their essential functions and programs.

 

The micro-grant represents only a starting point for a more extensive and long-term collaboration system towards a platform model that provides the Creativity Pioneers with access to more financial opportunities, in-kind and know-how support, mentoring and learning opportunities, peer-to-peer exchange and networking.

 

Who can apply?

Non-profit organizations that are legally registered and operating in the countries in which they operate, with no limits on geographic origin.

 

Organizations that demonstrate how they center creativity in their mission and programs.

 

Priority is given to organizations focus their work on disadvantaged and/or marginalized communities and that work primarily with youth (16-27 y.o.).

 

Deadline: 27th May

Healthy Lungs for Life

The European Lung Foundation will again be partnering with the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) to offer 10 grants of €1,000. The grants will go to organisations across the globe to help improve lung health as part of Healthy Lungs for Life (HLfL) and World Lung Day.

HLfL is a global public awareness campaign that currently focuses on physical activity, (#TakeTheActiveOption), air quality (#BreatheCleanAir), stopping smoking (#BeSmokeFree), vaccination (#Vaccinate) and climate change (#FightClimateChange).

 

Deadline: 5th June

Commemorations Bursary Scheme new Research Grant for Local Historians

The Commemorations Bursary Scheme, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has been established to encourage and support new local research and local history studies relating to the commemoration of events associated with the early years of the State as well as other significant historical anniversaries, events and themes.

 

The bursaries will be awarded to individual researchers across a wide range of themes which recognise the importance of the commemoration of events and a number of grants of between €1,500 and €10,000 will be made annually.

Deadline: 9th August

Leitrim Sports Partnership announces €30,000 in funding

Volunteer Supports Programme 2024 - €20,000

Club Development Grants 2024 - €10,000

 

For further information or to request an application form for either grant, please email lspgrantfunding@leitrimcoco.ie or call 071 9650498.

Public Consultation on Expansion of Pharmacy

Views are being sought on:

• Expansion of the role of pharmacists
• Expansion of pharmacy services offered to the public
• Interaction of pharmacy services with the healthcare service

The consultation follows the Minister’s establishment last July of an Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland.  The Taskforce is currently examining the potential expansion of pharmacy services under a Common Conditions Scheme.  This would allow pharmacists to prescribe medications for certain uncomplicated common conditions.

 

Deadline: 28th June

Pre-Budget Submissions

The Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands invites written pre-Budget submissions from interested groups or individuals.

 

Deadline: 31st May

Inclusive Youth Work - Social Justice as a Core Principal

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.

Opportunity: Inclusive Adaptive Céilí Dance Training Programmes

All Irish Dance is an award-winning not-for-profit organisation tackling social isolation and loneliness by connecting people through Irish céilí dance.  They are delighted to launch their first of a kind evidence based Certified Inclusive Adaptive Céilí Dance Leader Training Programmes.

 

Their evidence based training is designed to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead All Irish Dance’s inclusive adaptive céilí dance activites for all ages, levels and abilities in communities and care settings including, but not limited to;

 

- Céilí Recall © (for older adults)

- Reels on Wheels © (for wheelchair users)

- Some Dance to Remember © (for people living with dementia and their support

networks)

- Y-Céilí © (for teenagers and young adults).

 

The training is suitable for people, with or without prior experience of Irish or any other form of dance/movement, who are passionate about inclusion, accessibility and/or community engagement and may include caregivers, community development workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physiotherapists, and other rehabilitation specialists.

World Happiness Report 2024

The World Happiness Report for 2024 focused on the happiness of people during different life stages and of those in different generations. Overall, Ireland ranks 17th of the 143 countries polled.

Supporting Parents Awaiting Assessment and Diagnosis

Water Safety Leitrim June dates Drumshanbo

The dates for June Swim Classes are the 1st, 2nd 3rd 8th, and 9th of June. Please note registration will take place 30 minutes before your first class on the 1st June.

 

• Seal 1 and 2 9.00-9.30 Children will learn to swim on their front with no aid and on their back with a float.
• Seal 3 9.45-10.30. Children will learn to swim on their front and back without a float. They will learn their breaststroke legs.
• Seal 4 10.45-11.30. In addition to earlier classes, children will learn full breaststroke and how to scull.
• Seal 5 11.45-12.30. In addition to the above children will learn inverted breaststroke and how to thread water.
• Marlin 6, 7, 8 and 9. 12.45-1.45.

FREE WEBINAR: HIRING YOUR NONPROFIT'S FIRST STAFF MEMBER

In this free webinar for nonprofit organisations, the panel will discuss:

Deciding when to take on your first staff member

Preparing to become an employer

Managing expectations of board members and volunteers when taking on the first staff member

Setting boundaries as a nonprofit’s first staff member

Local Elections 2024 

Our communities face real challenges. To thrive, they need local leaders to advocate for the services and amenities that underpin them.

Civic engagement leads to communities that are more resilient and engaged,*  and Ireland's charities and community organisations are a vital part of that social structure. They are a network of supports and resources at work in every town and city across the country. In many cases, they fill gaps left by the state in providing much-needed services. Without them, our society would be diminished. 

 

The Wheel are asking candidates for the local elections to support the Future is Community campaign by signing a pledge to champion the work of Ireland’s community and voluntary sector in Local Government.

 

A strong, vibrant, and independent community and voluntary sector is essential for a just society and a healthy democracy.  

The Narrative 4km Walk & Talk Empathy Challenge

Well done to students in Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim taking on the Narrative 4km Walk and Talk Empathy Challenge (Photo on teams Mary)

2nd and 5th year students at Drumshambo Vocational School got the chance to connect with each other and share stories during this facilitated outdoor activity.

Open Day Friday 24th May 2024

Mohill Enterprise Centre will host an Enrolment and Open Day from 10am to 4.00pm on Friday 24th May.  Enrol onto our QQI Level 5 Full Time Course which begins in September, chat with an expert from ATU Sligo regarding home energy upgrades. Discuss business supports with a representative from the Local Enterprise Office. Discover the advanced facilities including hotdesking, media room and state of the art training and meeting rooms right on your doorstep.

Big Plans are stirring for the 13th of July in Rossinver

Rossinver Youth Community are hosting a Country Life Sale Day on the grounds of Rossinver Community Centre.  If you are a Trader who would like to take one of our pitches or a farmer who would like to sell off a few items, they have plenty of space available to free up those funds that are currently tied up in what otherwise be just collecting dust. 

Fee is €20 per pitch so no fees are taken on every sold item.

This is not an auction. 

To book a pitch phone Pat at 0866027007 or email pat@rossinveryouthcommunity.com.

Support your community this Summer with #Fleetwoodcommunitycolours!

Fleetwood are giving away up to 1000€ worth of paint EVERY DAY with their Community Colours nationwide campaign!

Whether your sports clubhouse or drama hall needs a touch up, your local animal shelter needs a fresh coat of paint, or your Tidy Towns needs paint to spruce up your local areas - they are here to help you support your community.  With any Fleetwood purchase, you can nominate your chosen community club.  No minimum purchase required.

How it works:

• Make your Fleetwood purchase (any paint or accessories with the Fleetwood logo)
• Scan the QR code on our Community Colours posters in your local shop OR use the QR codes on our social media. (link in our bio)
• Upload proof of purchase and nominate your club.
  
  That’s it!
  Who will you be nominating for this amazing opportunity?

Deadline: 30th June

The Experience of Cross-border Working in NI and ROI

The team from iCommunity regularly encounter organisations who are already active in or thinking about cross-border work.

 

More and more people are looking to learn about the practicalities involved, so we're hosting a webinar with a very practical focus.

 

Join us on 23 May from 2 - 3:30pm to hear from charities who work cross-border. Centre for Cross Border Studies, Longford Women's Link, Creative Spark and others will share their experiences and insights into building and managing partnerships, and meeting charity requirements across jurisdictions.

 

Our speakers are Annemarie O’Kane, from the Border People Project for the Centre for Cross Border Studies. Tara Farrell, CEO of Longford Women’s Link and Dr. Anthony Soares, Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies. More speakers to be announced.  

New Safety Guide for Candidates in Elections

See Her Elected are delighted to have teamed up with @Women for Election and An Garda Síochána to publish this new Guide!

 

Liaison Inspectors have also been appointed nationwide to help keep all those participating in upcoming elections safe while campaigning.

 

We expect political debate as part of elections and of local and national government. But increasingly, especially online, this crosses over into unacceptable behaviours, threats or attacks. Civility in political debate and dialogue is essential to our democracy, and essential to creating an environment where more women feel safe to run for election. We need measures in place to ensure that those elected by the public to serve their interests can do so in safety.

Are you interested in starting your own childminding business? 

Leitrim County Childcare Committee & Longford Childcare Committee are hosting 'An introduction to Childminding'.

 

This is a free online information session for potential childminders.

 

To register, email your local Childminding Development Officer:

aoife@leitrimchilcare.ie

clare@longfordchildcare.ie