Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Leitrim PPN Staff & Secretariat

Welcome to our last e-bulletin of 2024!  

 

The end of the year is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to 2025.

 

The key pillars of PPN's are to deliver community participative democracy under: REPRESENTATION, NETWORKING & CAPACITY BUILDING, we did this in 2024 as follows:-

 

Leitrim PPN has increased its membership by 6% this year and organised two Plenaries with over 150 people in attendance.  We continue to network having attended 24 outreach events, promoting the PPN and building rapport with the community sector.

 

We circulated 314 funding opportunities to member groups and promoted over 600 of your events. 

 

Meanwhile, in relation to Capacity Building-  Leitrim PPN provided ten free training sessions to member groups and PPN Reps this year as well as highlighting 93 training courses in the e-bulletin. 

 

Under Representation we fed into four submissions and filled ten Reps positions as well as dissemination of 30 Public Consultations giving members an opportunity to have their say and input.

PPN Representation stands at 49 representatives sitting on 16 committees for the PPN members to help shape the county in a more community friendly way.

 

Four Leitrim delegates attended the National Conference in Limerick.  Minister Joe O’Brien declared that due to the increased successes and demands around the PPN work, the government decided to increase the funding from 2025 onwards, which is very welcome.

 

We engaged with other PPN’s regionally and nationally throughout the year, networking and sharing ideas, collaborating and engaging on projects in a supportive way.

 

We look forward to collaborating with Leitrim County Council on the Love Where You Live Awards and other events and our host organisation Leitrim Development Company and their various programmes with events around Social Inclusion and Mental Health Week and others.

 

We thank our volunteer Secretariat for their dedication and time, all our Reps on various boards and committees and over 400 member groups,  and all stakeholders for engaging and we look forward to a successful and flourishing 2025.

 

We hope you can fill out our e-bulletin survey so we can deliver what it is YOU want and also fill in the Training Needs Analysis so we can deliver relevant free training in 2025.  All e-bulletins are posted on the Leitrim PPN website so you can access them anytime.

 

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and thriving New Year!

 

Mary Mc Keon

Co-Ordinator Leitrim PPN

 

Reps Support Evening

Many thanks to all PPN Reps who attended a support evening last Tue 10th Dec.

 

PPN Reps perform an important function on behalf of PPN's.  They are elected by Member Groups in their College / area to get involved in, and contribute to, Local Authority Boards or Committees on behalf of the PPN.

 

Having PPN representation on a Board or Committee is a huge advantage.  It enables the concerns and experiences of the community to be incorporated at an early stage of policy development, leading to more positive outcomes.  It also supports the monitoring and evaluation of existing policies.

 

PPN Representatives report back to the Linkage Groups about the work of the committees and pass on information received at the committee meetings.

Linkage group meeting dates below and we encourage all Reps to attend the relevant one and feedback from your meetings to the wider PPN network.

What Training would you like to see Leitrim PPN run in 2025?

Leitrim PPN are now seeking your input for our Training Needs Analysis to shape the upcoming  training calendar for Leitrim Public Participation Network in 2025.

 

Your feedback is vital in ensuring we provide the right skills and resources to support our member groups.

 

Please take a couple of minutes to fill out our survey to help us tailor our training calendar to meet our member groups needs.

Linkage Group Meetings for first Quarter of 2025 - All welcome

• Climate Action, Environment, Heritage, Biodiversity & Agriculture Linkage Group LDCo 7.30pm

         Wed 29th Jan

• Social Inclusion, Disability, Rural
  Development, Peace and Reconciliation Linkage Group LDCo 7.30pm

         Wed 19th Feb

• Planning, Transport and Housing Linkage Group LDCo 7.30pm

         Wed 12th March

Congratulations to Leitrim PPN member for an Outstanding Contribution Award

Congratulations to Leitrim PPN member group Leitrim Environmental Network secretary/treasurer Trevor Seery who won an outstanding contribution award at the An Taisce Climate Ambassador awards ceremony for 2024 in Dublin at the weekend.

 

The award was for efforts to combat climate change through his workplace activities with Woodlands of Ireland, personal projects and community actions and activities with the Leitrim Environmental Network.

 

Treavor also sits on the Physical Environment SPC with Leitrim County Council under the Environment pillar as a PPN Rep.

Why get more involved in Leitrim PPN?

Being part of the PPN isn’t just about attending meetings; it’s about being part of a movement for change. 

 

Whether you’re a local sports club, a disability advocacy group, or a climate action organization, the PPN offers a platform to amplify your voice, network with like-minded groups, and access training to maximise your impact.

 

It provides great networking opportunities especially at the plenaries and all member groups are kept up to date on all funding opportunities through the e bulletin.

Leitrim PPN E-Bulletin Survey

Leitrim PPN are conducting a Survey on the e bulletin/newsletter we circulate to over 400 member groups every two weeks, it is also circulated to other stakeholders who subscribe to it.

 

It contains information on PPN News, Funding/Grants, Consultations, Surveys, Training Courses, Community News, events from member groups and links to relevant newsletters.

 

We want to make sure we are delivering quality content and we need our audience feedback to help us improve our e bulletin/newsletter.  

 

One of the three remits of the PPN is to act as an Information Hub, providing information relevant to the environmental, social inclusion & voluntary sector and acts as a hub around which information is distributed and received.

 

This will only take a few minutes of your time and for that we are very grateful if you can complete this Survey.

Leitrim PPN member group celebrates 90 years

Memories, romance, community, tradition, and much more over the last 90 years in Glenfarne.  Wishing you further success from all in Leitrim PPN.

PeacePlus 

Did you hear?.... PEACEPLUS is investing €40m in local projects!

Do you work with community groups in Northern Ireland or border counties?

Learn more and help us spread the word about the PEACEPLUS 

Please register at an event near you.

Simply click the most suitable venue below: 

Foras na Gaeilge - Festivals Scheme / Scéim na bhFéilte 2025 Glaoch1

The Festivals Scheme will be open to appropriate local groups to give them an opportunity to develop arts festivals or elements of festivals being run and implemented through the medium of Irish or which Irish language arts are a central part of them between 01 January- 30th June 2025.
This scheme is aimed at festivals which aim to foster and promote through Irish or bilingually the Irish language, language based arts and Irish language heritage, as an integral part of the festival, and to provide a platform for the Irish language
community, to the wider community and to the arts sector.

Beidh Scéim na bhFéilte Glaoch 1 oscailte do ghrúpaí áitiúla cuí chun deis a thabhairt dóibh forbairt a dhéanamh ar fhéilte ealaíon nó ar eilimintí d’fhéilte atá á reáchtáil agus á gcur i bhfeidhm trí mheán na Gaeilge nó a bhfuil na healaíona Gaeilge mar chuid lárnach díobh idir 01 Eanair – 30ú Meitheamh 2025.
Díríonn an scéim seo ar fhéilte a bhfuil d’aidhm acu an Ghaeilge, na healaíona Gaeilge, na healaíona dúchasacha agus oidhreacht na Gaeilge a chothú agus a chur chun cinn trí mheán na Gaeilge nó go dátheangach, mar dhlúthchuid den fhéile, agus ardán a chur ar fáil do phobal na Gaeilge, don mhórphobal agus d’earnáil na n-ealaíon.

 

Deadline: 6th January 

Habitats & Conservation Funding

Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) is to provide more than €1m in 2025 to support healthy habitats for fish in rivers nationwide.

 

IFI’s Habitats & Conservation Funding comprises two competitive initiatives – the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund, and the Midlands Fisheries Fund.

 

EOI’s are invited from angling clubs, fishery owners, local development associations, local authorities, tidy towns and others who may be looking to carry out relevant projects.

 

Deadline: 30th January

DWF Foundation

The DWF Foundation supports registered charities with an impact in one or more of the following areas:

• Homelessness
• Health and Well-being
• Employability
• Education
• Environment and Sustainability

Deadline: 28th February 2025, 30th June 2025 & 30th September 2025

Sustainable Forest Harvesting Machinery Grant

The opening of the Sustainable Forest Harvesting Machinery Grant under the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme 2023-2027 has been announced.

 

A total of four projects, at a maximum of €50,000 per project, will be funded per annum. More than four projects may be considered for grant aid each year where the total available annual budget is not exceeded.

 

Deadline: 4th February

Creative Communities Open Call 2025

A central theme of Creative Ireland is collaboration, in order to facilitate an ecosystem of creativity and to nurture the creative imagination through active engagement with the arts, culture and creativity.  The Creative Ireland Programme defines 'creativity' as the capacity to transcend accepted ideas and norms and by drawing on imagination to create new ideas that bring additional value to human activity.

 

Deadline: 9th March

Cruinniú na nÓg 2025 Funding

Do you have an exciting idea for a creative project or event for children and young people that you would like to see happen as part of Cruinniú na nÓg - the national day of creativity for children and young people?

 

• If you work with children and young people, this is a great opportunity to develop something really special.  It’s vital that the children are involved in deciding what is happening so have a chat with them and see what they’re interested in and develop a plan together.  Perhaps they’ve always wanted to make a film, do some incredible science experiments, or explore their own community in a creative way. 
• If you’re a theatre company, arts centre, or involved in creativity in some other way and are looking to engage a new young people, this is also a great opportunity to make that happen.
• If you’re an artist that works with children and would like to get involved, contact a group that works with children and see if they’d like to work with you.

Events can take all shapes and sizes from visual and performing arts activities, to activities that explore your town, the environment, heritage, culture, science or technology through creativity or in a creative way. The emphasis should be on ‘doing’, ‘making’, ‘creating’.  All events should be free and focused on children and young people (up to 18), and  applications that gives access to groups of children who haven’t had such opportunities before are particularly welcomed.

 

Deadline: 23rd February

Boost your farm's water quality with the #FarmingforWater Funding 

Get funding and guidance to optimise your farming practices and promote water quality. Your first step? A free farm visit from a Teagasc or ASSAP advisor.

Interested in closing the skills gap in your organisation alongside sector colleagues? 

Training Links funds training and development for the nonprofit sector workforce and is now open for applications! Grants from €10K - €50 available. 

Community Heritage and Biodiversity Grant Programme

This scheme supports projects that complement the delivery of the Waterways Ireland Heritage and Biodiversity Plan.

 

A fund of €20,000 has been allocated to assist community- based projects which complement or fulfil the delivery of the Waterways Ireland Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2030 along the Barrow Navigation, Erne System, Grand Canal, Lower Bann, Royal Canal, Shannon Navigation, Shannon-Erne Waterway, and the Ulster Canal (Upper Lough Erne to Clones).

 

Deadline: 14th February

Arts Council Funding

Arts organisations, artists, and groups working within the arts can apply for funding.

 

Discover what funding is available then register for online services to submit an application. 

Catchment Support Fund

• Please ensure the application form is fully complete online and all relevant information and attachments are uploaded before the closing date.
• Each application will be assessed based on its merits as it is submitted.
• There is no obligation on the office of the Local Authority Waters Programme to request any outstanding or supporting information. 
• It is mandatory that you develop this application with a LAWPRO staff member.

Deadline: 14th January

The online portal will close at 5pm.

Carrick-on-Shannon Town Hall THRIVE Project HAVE YOUR SAY!

Leitrim County Council want to bring the Town Hall Building in Carrick-on-Shannon back into a sustainable, beneficial use, both to preserve this important heritage structure but also to allow it to be used for the benefit of the whole community.  The local authority want to hear from the community through widespread consultation to determine an agreed end use for the Town Hall (subject to funding availability).  How to get involved: Come to a pop-up event at the Farmers’ Market in Market Yard on Thursday, 19th December 10am–2pm.

Email: You can find out and get involved in future events by signing up to their mailing list, please email tcf@leitirmcoco.ie.

Dream Space Showcase

Exciting news!  The 2024/25 #MSDreamSpace Showcase is an opportunity for rural educators and facilitators to guide students through a free, structured STEM learning journey. 
With two pathways to choose from, including the STEAM Series and Code Green, educators can lead students in addressing real-world issues through hands-on learning.  This journey culminates with a showcase at Microsoft Ireland, where students will present their projects and celebrate their achievements.

Community Impact Network: Training Courses

The Community Impact Network (CIN) is a national network focused on building the collective leadership and capacity of organisations to meet the needs of older people in Ireland. 

CIN offers Networking, Training, Technology, Resources & Best Practice to support the membership base.  They develop connections and partnerships between statutory, community and voluntary services which enhance services for older people.  The Community Impact Network is open to any group, service or organisation who provides supports to older people.  Connect, network, train across diverse groups, services and organisations.  To gather into one national network base for services that support older people to create a greater impact. 

AsIAm: Christmas Portal

While some consider Christmas time to be the most wonderful time of the year, for some members of the community it can also be overwhelming.  With a change of routine and the emphasis on merriment and festivities, it can be useful to have some extra supports to hand.  AsIAm have put together some helpful resources, signposted to sensory-friendly events, so you can prepare ahead of time for the festive season.

Age Action: Getting Started Computer Training

Age Action’s Getting Started is a free digital literacy programme, helping older people to get online, or use their smart device with confidence.  Age Action’s Getting Started is the first competency-based digital training for older people in Ireland.

The Organic Centre - Classes & Workshops

Be Aware of Deer on the Roads

Please be aware that we are in rutting season and you may meet deer on the roads

Slow down in areas with higher deer population, as indicated by road signage and avoid using your horn if animals are in front of you.

Entertaining Without Food Waste Whatever The Occasion

Not to get too ahead of ourselves, but… you might be thinking about hosting more guests than usual in the next while?

 

Entertaining can be fun but also stressful if you’re preparing food in bigger quantities than normal.

 

Cooking and serving too much food are two of the top reasons why people waste food - 76% of people occasionally, rarely or never measure out ingredients per person.

Social Justice Ireland Annual Policy Conference

At the recent Social Justice Ireland Annual Policy Conference, one of the specialist guest speakers was Dr Matthew Donoghue of UCD’s School of Social Policy, Social Work & Social Justice.  Dr. Donoghue gave a fascinating and detailed review of PPN's in their ten years in existence and emphasized the continued need for a method by which communities can have a direct pathway to participating in how local government and policy in developed.  It was an insightful and brilliant analysis of PPN's.

Our World Awards 2025

Now in its 20th year, the Our World Awards is a simple and flexible platform for 3rd to 6th class primary school pupils and their teachers to learn how Irish Aid, the Government’s International Development Programme, is working with partners around the world to create a fairer, safer and more sustainable world through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Aligning seamlessly with the Primary School curriculum, Our World Awards offer teachers an exciting opportunity to inspire pupils to explore global citizenship, sustainable development and social justice through creative projects and classroom activities.

 

Deadline: 18th January 

Transport for Ireland is JAM Card friendly!

Transport for Ireland Services are JAM Card® friendly!  The Jam Card® assists customers using the public transport system to make their experience as stress-free as possible.  Passengers can simply show their JAM Card® to staff to communicate that they may need more time and understanding when using public transport.  The initiative is fully supported by Bus Eireann, Go-Ahead Ireland, LUAS, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann and Local Link.

 

JAM Card allows people with an invisible disability to discreetly request ‘Just A Minute’ of patience when they need it.

 

The JAM Card® was created by NOW Group, a social enterprise that supports people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future and their service users told them that they would like a way to relay to people that they need a little extra time or patience.

HUGG: Dedicated Suicide Bereavement Support Group for Men

Suicide grief can feel extremely isolating.  It is vital that men know they are not alone in their grief.  HUGG, the national charity for suicide bereavement, offer a dedicated suicide bereavement support group for Men, led by trained male volunteers with lived experience of suicide loss.  The support group provides an opportunity for men experiencing suicide loss to connect and share their lived experiences of suicide grief in a non-judgemental space, and to show their visible support to other men who have faced similar losses. 

The online support group is held monthly on a Tuesday evening from 8pm–9.30pm. 

A Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making

(Second Edition)

Martin Collins Pavee Point speaking as part of the new Dep of Rural and Community Development Pobal video:

“It’s absolutely essential that groups who're affected by the issues, those with the lived experience, that we create the conditions where people from those communities can input into policies. 

"Consultation with minority communities, including Travellers and Roma, is not one event, it is an ongoing process. It needs to be a genuine, inclusive consultation process."

Driving Innovation for a Climate-Neutral Future

The recent Innovation Fund Stakeholder Event brought together leading experts from renewable energy, hydrogen production, carbon capture, energy storage and advanced manufacturing.  This collaborative forum highlighted how key industries can work towards Europe’s ambitious climate goals.

The Innovation Fund—one of the world’s largest climate action funding programs—has already allocated €6.5 billion across over 100 projects, with €40 billion to be distributed by 2030.  Funded by the EU Emissions Trading System, this program accelerates breakthrough technologies in:

👩‍💻 Low-carbon technologies in energy-intensive industries
🍃 Renewable energy generation
⚡ Energy storage solutions
🔋 Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage

Looking ahead:
The Irish National Information Day on Wednesday, 12 February to learn about the latest funding opportunities, including the €4 billion 2024 Call for Proposals just launched.

Healthy Coping Tools at Christmas 

The Christmas season can bring joy but also stress. Here are some simple, positive strategies to help you stay balanced and maintain your well-being: Spend time in nature – Take at least 15 minutes outside daily to refresh your mind. A short walk can do wonders! Meal prep – Plan ahead with healthy meals or snacks to stay on track. Connect with someone – Reach out to friends or family, even for a quick chat or coffee. Stick to a routine – Keep a few core habits to stay grounded. Bring non-alcoholic beverages – Offer options at gatherings and avoid pressure to drink. Do something you enjoy – Dedicate time to an activity that brings you joy.  

The Leitrim Gathering is a celebration of everything great about our County

Scheduled from 23rd to 25th May 2025, “The Leitrim Gathering” is a weekend for all the family, with a series of literary, cultural and heritage events arranged.

Holiday Gift Guide for People Living with Middle-to-Late Stage Alzheimer's

Holiday shopping and gift-giving can often be challenging, but even more so when shopping for a person living with dementia. Here are gift ideas for people in the early, middle and late stages of Alzheimer's as well as dementia caregivers. 

Connectmas Café

Community Services Hub Ballinamore hosts a Connectmas on Tuesday 31st December from 10am-12noon in the Den, N41R522

 

Join Better Together Níos Fearr Le Chéile for free refreshments & conversation over the Christmas period.

 

All welcome to this free event.

Annual Manorhamilton IFA Charity Tractor Run takes place on Wednesday January 1st 2025

The tractor run is being held in memory of Ivan Moffitt and is in aid of CROI/ Fighting Heart Disease and Stroke, All monies raised will be used to fund in-person checks locally Assembly will be at Manorhamilton Mart from 1pm and the Tractor Run will commence at 2pm. 

Donations can be made on the day to the Collection Bucket or by donating to the Sponsorship Cards which can be found in businesses in the locality.

Your support would be greatly appreciated.