View of Benbo, Manorhamilton image taken by Marie Eames McGowan

Launch of Leitrim Community Garden Network

Leitrim PPN attended the launch of  Leitrim Community Garden Network on the first day of Community Garden Week at the beautiful Townspark Residents - Breffni Community Garden at Breffni FRC - a PPN member group.

 

We also attended Ballinamore Community Garden.

 

Well done to our colleagues in Leitrim Development Company for developing an informative map of community gardens in Leitrim.

 

Leitrim PPN Work Report: Jan - June 2024

It has been a very busy 6 months and we look forward to a productive 6 months ahead.

Love Where You Live Awards

Save the Date: Thurs 10th Oct in Lough Rynn - 3 from each group who entered can attend.

 

Leitrim PPN wish to thank Daniel Downey from Cavan PPN for judging this year’s PPN sponsored sections of Community Achievement and Social Inclusion.

 

Great Community Spirit in Leitrim

Useful Information for Your Community Group

Training Needs Analysis

Leitrim PPN are in a position to offer FREE training to member groups in Sept/Oct & Nov

Online

Next Secretariat Meeting

Mon 12th Aug, 4pm in Leitrim Development Company, Drumshanbo - all secretariat members to attend.

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

FINAL CHANCE TO REGISTER

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.

 

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

Community Recognition Fund Tranche 2

DEADLINE EXTENDED

The closing date for the 2nd Application Window for the Community Recognition Fund has been extended to MONDAY 26th AUGUST 2024.

 

Funding is targeted at communities, villages and towns where the highest level of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified.

 

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.

 

Deadline: 26th August

John McGahern Award

As part of the Iron Mountain Literature Festival and with the support of the McGahern Estate Leitrim County Council developed the John McGahern Award to encourage the development of emerging Irish writers and to pay tribute to the exceptional contribution of John McGahern to literature, and to Leitrim.

 

 

John McGahern is one of Ireland’s most respected and celebrated authors. His fiction is critically acclaimed internationally, has been translated into many languages and has appeared in many anthologies. He was a member of Aosdána and won numerous awards, including the Irish-American Foundation Award, the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and the Prix Etranger Ecureuil.

New Solutions Social Innovation Fund

Minister of State, Joe O’Brien TD has launched call 1 of the New Solutions Social Innovation Fund.

Co-funded through the ESF+, call 1 provides up to €2.8 million to establish a Social Innovation Hub over the lifetime of the programme.

Expansion of the Mountain Access Project 

Minister Humphreys announces expansion of the Mountain Access Project at National Outdoor Recreation Conference

• Mountain Access Project aims to support landholders and other local stakeholders to sustainably manage recreation activities in upland areas
• Expressions of interest invited from interested upland communities
• Guidance developed by Comhairle na Tuaithe (Countryside Council) to support interested upland communities

A key benefit for areas participating in the MAP is a public liability insurance cover which is provided for private landholders that allow access for recreational activities in the designated areas.

The Department is now inviting expressions of interest from stakeholder groups interested in joining the Mountain Access Project.

 

Completed Expressions of Interest should be emailed to cnat@drcd.gov.ie by close of business on Friday 27th September 2024.

Circus Project Award

The purpose of the award is to support high-quality, stand-alone initiatives that specifically deliver a presentation to, or an engagement with, an audience or public.

Potential circus proposals could be those that:

Involve a variety of circus disciplines within a theme-based performance

Allow artists to work with professionals such as choreographers, producers, directors and costume designers to develop work that is new to both the artists involved and audiences

Enable artists to create work that changes their own concepts of current working practices.

 

Deadline:  25th July

2024 LGBTI+ Community Services Funding Call

€1.3 million will be made available to organisations who support LGBTI+ persons:

€900,000 is being made available, under the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund, to applicant groups operating at national, regional and local level, to support community services and promote visibility and inclusion of LGBTI+ people.

€400,000 will be made available to support LGBTI+ young people under a separate funding call, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks.

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

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

 

Deadline: 31st July 

Strategic Funding - The Arts Council

The purpose of Strategic Funding is to invest in and support the organisations needed to lead, sustain and develop the arts in Ireland.

Organisations that receive Strategic Funding must play a critical part in delivering the policy priorities of Making Great Art Work, the Arts Council’s ten-year strategy.

In offering Strategic Funding to organisations, the Arts Council wishes to ensure:

The delivery of excellent artwork and/or events activities and services

Excellent opportunities for artists and/or arts professionals to develop their practice and/or to create or to be engaged in high-quality work

That the diversity of contemporary Ireland is reflected in the work it supports

That more people will enjoy high-quality arts experiences

Increased depth of engagement by and with the public

Excellent standards in governance and management in the arts.

 

Deadline: 5th September

Baboró Go See Fund

Baboró is delighted to offer a small Go See Fund to support artists and creatives to travel within Ireland to see work for children. The fund is designed for those who make or wish to make work for children and are looking for inspiration, new approaches to presentation, etc.

 

To ensure this small fund can benefit as many individuals as possible, it will support the cost of event tickets and travel within the island of Ireland only, up to a maximum of €100 per application.

FIFA Foundation Community Programme

Non-governmental organisations worldwide invited to apply for funding for football-related social projects

A record 130 entities from across 54 countries were selected in 2024 instalment

Programme targets underprivileged children and young people

 

Launched in 2019, the FIFA Foundation Community Programme has been working with local projects that harness the power of football to effect positive social change and address the most pressing global challenges facing underprivileged children and young people within the communities in which they operate.

Funding amount: up to USD30,000 per year

 

Deadline: 26th July

Stiftung Artenschutz Grant Programme

The aim of Stiftung Artenschutz is the conservation of highly threatened animal species, especially those that have been lacking resources and interest, as well as the protection and restoration of their habitats.

Our two funding schemes include a special grant for the conservation of amphibians, the "Amphibian Conservation Fund", and a Small Grants Programme open for all animal species and conservation activities.

 

Deadline: 31st July

Lady Freethinker Urgent Need Fund - Animal Welfare

Lady Freethinker is now accepting applications to our annual Urgent Need Fund grant program for projects helping animals across the world!

Since the program began, LFT is proud to have awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to amazing organizations — funding a range of creative initiatives to provide medical care, food, shelter, and other forms of aid to animals around the world.

 

Deadline: 9th August

Climate Creatives Challenge

The Climate Creatives Challenge is a global initiative serving as a catalyst for innovation in climate communication. This international design competition, supports new and novel approaches for communicating the impacts of climate change and the benefits of mitigation, adaptation and resilience.

 

Deadline: 16th August

St Stephen’s Green Trust: Supporting People in the International Protection Process

As part of St Stephen’s Green Trust’s strategic goal to contribute to a more humane asylum system in Ireland and our commitment to supporting people in the international protection system, we are making funding available in 2024 for organisations with a track-record of advocacy work in relation to migrant issues.

Deadline: 12th August

Ireland Against Racism Funding Call

€1 million is being made available to applicant groups operating at national, regional and local level to support the implementation of the National Action Plan Against Racism.

 

The overall objective of this fund is to provide funding for national and regional projects, as well as local initiatives, that aim to combat racism and foster racial equality and community cohesion.

 

The grant scheme is open to applications from existing non-government organisations and community organisations that have a specific focus on anti-racism initiatives.

Deadline: 7th August

John Templeton Foundation

The mission at the John Templeton Foundation is to support interdisciplinary research and catalyze conversations that inspire awe and wonder.

 

Deadline: 16th August

The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme

The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme is now open for applications. Grants of up to €5,000 are available to cover the cost of expert conservation advice to bring vacant traditional houses back into use.

 

Deadline: 31st July

Public consultation on review and update of Wildlife Legislation

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is working to review and update wildlife legislation.

 

This includes the:

• Wildlife Act 1976
• Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000
• European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 related regulations.

This legislation covers areas such as the protection of birds, the protection of certain wild animals, and the protection of certain lands, sites and habitats.

Deadline: 13th September

Survey: Household Food Waste in Ireland

The study aims to explore volumes, habits, and the environmental and economic impacts of household food waste.

Consultation on the European Commission’s proposal for a Plastic Pellets Regulation

The aim of this consultation is to seek views from interested parties on the EU proposal to introduce a Regulation on preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution.

 

Deadline: 19th July

Part-Time Education Option

The Part-Time Education Option (PTEO) allows you to keep your Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) or Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) or Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) (JBSE) and attend a part-time day or evening course of education or training.

 

You must continue to meet the conditions for Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) or Jobseeker’s Allowance.  This means that you must be able to show that you are still actively looking for and willing to take up work and that the course is likely to improve your chances of getting a job.  If you are offered work while on the course you will be expected to accept the job offer. 
You can take part in a part-time day course, evening course or early morning course, distance education or a part-time course under the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) or Springboard. In some cases, part-time courses which run during the normal working day will be accepted, for example, courses under the BTEI.

Aware Webinars

Upcoming Topics: Attachment Styles & Relationships / Talking About Suicide
Aware has a webinar series with a different theme each month. They take
place on the second Wednesday of every month.

FoodCloud: "Reducing Food Waste In The Home" - Free Online Course

Exciting news! FoodCloud, in collaboration with the EPA, have launched a new FREE online course.

 

"Reducing Food Waste In The Home," is now available for everyone to enjoy at their own pace!

Discover the secrets of food waste prevention and budget savings by learning how to think differently about best before and use-by dates, food storage techniques, smart shopping lists for savings, and more!

 

This course has been proudly created under the FoodCloud Academy’s 'Thrive Together' Project, and funded by the Department of Environment, Climate, and Communications’ Community Climate Action Programme: Climate Education, Capacity Building, and Learning by Doing (Strand 2).

County Leitrim

UPCOMING SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS:

Cross-border tourism between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland triples in one decade, all island tourism report finds

Would You Like To Know More About How A Shoebox Can Put A Smile On The Face Of A Child?

Please come along and find out how you can volunteer with the Leitrim Team in September, October and November. Help make a difference in the lives of children in Eastern Europe and Africa.

 

Hear stories about the children who receive the shoeboxes from Leitrim last year and how YOU can join the

Leitrim Team Hope team.

 

Venue: Leitrim Volunteer Centre

Unit 3, 4 Dublin Road, Townparks, Carrick-on-

Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41 Y7H1

 

Date/Time: Friday 26th July 2024 @ 7pm

 

Contacts: Theresa Wood,

Christmas Shoebox Appeal Manager, Team Hope

01 294 0222 – twood@teamhope.ie

 

Orla Blessing, Leitrim Team Leader, Team Hope

071 962 2537 – orla@volunteerleitrim.ie

Croí in your Community & Workplace

Launch - Mobile Health Unit

Travel to Work Data

Deirdre Frost, Policy Analyst with WDC, has just published a blog on Travel to Work data.  It contains headline figures from a forthcoming WDC report 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮, to be published in the Autumn.  This will document in detail, travel to work patterns and labour catchments across the Western Region.  The analysis is based on Census 2022 Place of Work data (POWSCAR).

Labour catchments are that area from which a town draws most of its labour supply and often can extend beyond town and county boundaries.  For example, the Galway city labour catchment extends into parts of County Mayo. This information can provide a more accurate assessment of the labour supply available, information particularly useful for employers.

Unsurprisingly, the Galway city labour catchment is by far the largest. It is followed in size by the Sligo catchment and the Letterkenny catchment.  The blog discusses the change in growth (number of resident workers) of the largest catchments since 2016.

Safeguarding Adults at Risk Training for Community Groups

We support organisations to learn about what is required for your staff team or volunteers to safeguard Adults that you support both within your organisation and your community. By learning about safeguarding and how to develop a safeguarding culture you and your community will be better equipped to support Adults who may be at risk of abuse.

Region: Nationwide / Online / Zoom

Expiry date: 28th August

Leitrim Rural Recreation Officer Emma O'Hagan features in Irish Independent

Well done Emma from all in Leitrim PPN - Flying the flag for sustainability in Leitrim.

National Play Day - Manorhamilton

The Bee Park Community Sports Hub are hosting a kayaking event as part of National Play Day

 

Friday July 19th Glencar Lake ( Opposite Boat house)

 

-Children's Kayaking 6pm-7.30pm

Age group: 10-12 Years Old, Max places: 15

 

-Teen Kayaking 7.30pm-9pm

Age Group: 13-17 Years Old, Max places: 15

 

The Event is FREE but booking is required

 

email: sportshub@beepark.ie for booking or further info

Link my Ride

Cycling Ireland would like PPN member groups to read through the app called, “Link My Ride”. 
“Link my ride” is a community of like minded people united by the joy of cycling.

New Guidelines for Outdoor Activity

Fáilte Ireland welcomes the launch of the new Guidelines for Outdoor Activity Events, designed to help people to organise successful and responsible outdoor events in Ireland’s countryside.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D. officially launched the guidelines during the first-ever National Outdoor Recreation Conference at the Clayton Hotel, Co. Sligo recently.

Public access to Leitrim’s only piece of coastline is now officially open!

Minister Heather Humphreys cut the ribbon in Tullaghan last week following investment under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) and from Leitrim County Council.

 

Great to see this project in #Tullaghan come to fruition.

 

It was one of the key projects in the first Leitrim Recreation Strategy 2014-2022. Kinlough native Paraic White during his tenure as Chairperson of the Leitrim Recreation Forum progressed it with the local community, landowners and with Leitrim County Council the local Cllrs incl Councillor Justin Warnock.

 

This work was continued by Mike Feeney the current Chairperson.  Funding from Dep of Rural & Community Development and collaboration with the landowner and local community groups Tullaghan Coastl Cross made it possible.  Well done everyone from Leitrim PPN. 

Choosing or changing your Charities name Guidance

Choosing the right name for your charity is crucial as it helps donors and beneficiaries recognise and distinguish your organisation from others. There are also legal considerations to keep in mind as the Charities Act 2009 sets out specific rules that charities must follow when selecting or changing their names.  

The government has published a new report identifying barriers to climate action

The report, 'Climate Conversations 2023 – From Individual Action to Collective Engagement', builds on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland's ‘Climate Change in the Irish Mind’ study. It highlights that while awareness of climate change is high, there is still a challenge in fostering a sense of urgency and understanding individual impacts.

LEADER shows young people how they can develop rural Europe

The recent EU CAP Network’s Young LEADER Forum, co-organised with the Finnish National Network, focused on increasing participation and commitment of young people in LEADER policy and its implementation. Using participatory approaches, the event included dynamic development discussions and field visits to put future rural generations centre stage.