10th Anniversary of PPN's Nationally

Reminder - Meeting of all PPN Member groups

PPN 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.

Leitrim PPN Member Survey Questions

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Public Participation Networks (PPN’s) celebrate 10th anniversary

2024 sees PPN's nationally reach ten years in existence and this week we at Leitrim PPN honour the decade long service we have provided to communities across our area.

 

With our PPN representing and supporting the voice of over 400 groups, this at the very least represents over 2,000 people engaged in community activity within Leitrim PPN in our County.  Economically, community volunteers contribute greatly to the fabric of Irish society and, at a low valuation of 15 euros per hour, we can estimate a conservative contribution of these 2,000 volunteers among PPN members at €968,760 euros per year if they only volunteer 3 hours per week each, and most do more than this.

 

The Public Participation Network was established under The Local Government Act 2014 and from then to now has grown from 11,962 groups to 19,950 nationally in 2024, echoing our growth.

 

This is a monumental representation of community activity in our state and has been led by PPNs in providing empowerment and voice at a local level.

 

We at Leitrim PPN thank all those groups, agencies and individuals who have supported the PPN across the ten years and, looking forward, we encourage you and others to join us in continuing the journey to greater inclusion, empowerment and representation of community interests through your PPN.

 

The PPN 10th year anniversary will be officially marked and celebrated at the PPN National Conference on 17th & 18th October in Limerick.

Useful Information for Your Community Group

Linkage Group Meeting

Social Inclusion, Disability, Rural Development, Peace and Reconciliation Linkage Group Meeting was held on 5th June.

 

This meeting was facilitated by Assumpta Kelly North Leitrim Women’s Centre, Silvia Apostal Leitrim International Community Group & Patrick Mc Greevy Keshcarrigan Development Association.

 

The Theme was Social Inclusion and discussion was on - Outlining the focus and purpose of this Linkage Group  , Introduce the Group Facilitators,  Updates and Information Sharing (From any PPN reps present), Leitrim Intercultural Group (Short Presentation on the work of the group )Leitrim Migrant Integration Strategy  (brief overview of the newly launched Strategy ), small group discussions on ideas for Social Inclusion Week 21st to 27th Oct & the Themes to Focus on and Feedback from Groups present.  

 

Thanks to all for attending.

Reps Training & Mentoring for Reps on boards etc.

Liam Scollan met with Reps on 6th June who are on Boards and committees to:-

 • Provide the Reps with the results of a recent survey

 • Hear what additional points they may want to make that would support their work as a PPN Rep

Reps Training & Mentoring for Reps on Leitrim County Council Committees

Liam Scollan met with Reps on 13th June who sit on the Joint Policing Committee, LCDC Local Community Development Committee, PeacePlus  and SPC’s.

He discussed the following with the Reps:-

 

• Overview of Leitrim Reps
• The Survey findings
• Supporting Reps and working with LCC

 

It will be followed up with facilitation training for all reps and a handbook.

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

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

 

Spaces are limited, register by 23rd July.

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

PPN e bulletin Subscription

If you are not subscribed to this e-bulletin and would like to be added to the mailing list, e-mail us at info@leitrimppn.ie with email subscription in subject line.

Funding applications for the 2024 International Charity Bazaar Dublin (ICB) are now open

The International Charity Bazaar Dublin was formally established as a registered Irish charity in 2008.  The idea behind ICB originated with a fund-raising event held by the wife of the then Ambassador of Pakistan Nausheen Ahmad to raise funds for the victims of the Pakistan earthquake in 2005.  All monies raised through ICB's annual fundraising event, International Charity Bazaar, are donated to selected charities at an award ceremony in December. Over the years, ICB has supported many different charities.

 

Funding Criteria for 2024:

• Only Irish registered charities may apply
• Maximum funding of 6,000 Euros per project
• No funding for salaries or bursaries
• Projects should be Ireland-based
• Selected charities will be notified by 31 August 2024
• Funds will be distributed in December 2024.

Deadline: 5th July

€20million Community Centre Investment Fund

Grants of up to €100,000 available to upgrade existing Community Centres

Wide range of works eligible for funding including Refurbishment of Kitchens & Toilets, Upgrades to Windows & Doors, Energy Efficiency Upgrades & Improving access for people with disabilities.

Under the Community Centres Investment Fund 2024, community organisations will be supported with grants of between €10,000 - €100,000 to develop and enhance their existing community facilities.

This funding is designed to support community groups to make the improvements they need in their Community Centre.

The ‘Community Centre Investment Fund 2024 – Refurbishment’ will provide grants for projects from €10,000 up to a maximum of €100,000 towards capital costs.
This is broken down into two categories of funding:
Category 1:

Small scale projects/improvements to facilities: €10,000 - €25,000.
Category 2:

Larger scale projects: €25,001 to €100,000.

The scheme will be delivered in conjunction with Pobal.

Groups are strongly advised to get their application and paperwork ready in advance of the application process opening on 29th July.

There will be a number of online information events to assist potential applicants, the first of which will take place on Tuesday 25th June.

Deadline: 29th August

Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme 2024

Up to 80% of project costs covered under the scheme

• Grants of up to €40,000 available for Natura 2000 designated sites
• Grants of up to €20,000 available for Non-Natura peatland sites

Applications are welcomed across a diverse range of initiatives with community benefit from events, education programmes, promotions, publications, exhibitions, development of conservation management plans, public amenity and recreational measures, maintenance measures that support  conservation measures, monitoring or surveying work to inform of restoration/conservation projects, invasive species and fire control measures, anti-littering initiatives to local environmental improvements in the area of the designated sites and other peatland areas.

 

Deadline: 5th July

Community Safety Fund 2024

This fund has been developed to reinvest the value of proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau directly back into communities via projects that support and improve community safety.

 

The Community Safety Fund

• allows proceeds of crime to be directed into community projects to support community safety;
• encourages the development of projects aimed at improving community safety from the people who best understand local community safety needs;
• allows best practice on community safety and youth justice to be shared with other partnerships and communities nationally as new proposals are developed;
• reflects and highlights the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing the proceeds from criminal activity.

This could include activities intended to:

• tackle crime or reduce the fear of crime; improve community safety and feelings of safety;
• support the creation of safe and resilient communities;
• reduce reoffending;
• divert vulnerable individuals away from engagement in criminal behaviour.

This year, projects which have already received funding under a previous round of the Community Safety Fund may apply for repeat funding, once strong outputs to date are demonstrated as part of the application process.

 

Deadline: 26th July

Artist in the Community Scheme

Are you an artist working collaboratively with a community? Are you an artist or community group with an interest in working on a collaborative, socially engaged project?

 

The Arts Council’s Artist in the Community (AIC) Scheme, managed by Create, offers awards to enable artists and communities of place and/or interest to work together on projects. The AIC Scheme also offers an annual bursary, as well as residencies and a summer school.

 

The AIC scheme is open to artists from any of the following artform disciplines: architecture, circus, street art and spectacle, dance, film, literature (Irish and English language), music, opera, theatre, visual arts and traditional arts.

 

Deadline: 30th September (Round Two)

2024 Walks Scheme Expansion

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, announced that 62 new walking trails across the country are approved in principle to join the Walks Scheme in February 2024. The expansion recognises the importance of the scheme in delivering high quality trails.

 

A key action in Embracing Irelands Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, is to expand the Walks Scheme to 150 trails by end 2024.

In light of this, a Call for Expressions of Interest to join the Walks Scheme has now opened.

 

Closing date for Expressions of Interest is 11th October 2024. All applications must be made through your Local Development Company.

 

Deadline: for Expressions of Interest is 11th October

SEAI Energy Master Plan Funding for Sustainable Energy Communities

The grant programme is open all year round and you can apply for funding by completing a funding application form. The grant offer is valid for 12 months to give you plenty of time to identify the community priorities, find an external expert and develop your energy masterplan in consultation with your community.

 

SEAI will provide a 100% grant to cover the costs of an external expert to help your community develop an Energy Master Plan. The Energy Master Plan funding ranges in value depending on the level and scale of the Sustainable Energy Community. The scale of the SEC is linked to the estimate of the energy spend in your community.

Funding available is from €10,000 to €25,000 depending on size of community.

 

Deadline: Open all year round

The Global E-STEM Awards

The Global E-STEM Awards are back and once again recognizing excellence and innovation in E-STEM with awards up to $50,000 USD!

 

Does your organization engage students aged 11 to 22 in STEM topics, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to take action to advance climate change solutions, sustainable energy, or sustainable transportation? If yes, you are invited to apply for the Global E-STEM Awards! The Global E-STEM Awards are presented by Pratt & Whitney in collaboration with NAAEE.

 

This awards program supports promising programs that build and use STEM knowledge and skills in environmental learning and problem solving. Preference will be given to nonprofit organizations working with underrepresented audiences in STEM and using partnerships to boost their impact.

 

Deadline: 8th July 

Advancement of Wildlife Research

Wildlife Acoustics is proud to offer a grant program to support the advancement of wildlife research, habitat monitoring, and environmental conservation. Our quarterly grant program provides scientists with bioacoustics research tools to further their study of bats, birds, amphibians, and other vocal wildlife.

 

Deadline: 15th August

Meet and Code 2024

Get €500 to fund your coding event. Starting today, May 22nd, non-profit organizations can submit their proposals for workshops, lectures, hackathons, coding competitions, and more! This year, the application window is extended until September 30th, giving you more time to craft your dream event, which must be hosted from June 17 to October 31.

 

Here’s what you need to know:

Who can participate? Anyone with a passion for code and digital skills can get involved! Schools, IT professionals, nonprofit organizations and even computer clubs can design events for children and youth aged 8-24. However, the official event organiser needs to be a charitable organisation to secure funding.

 

Deadline: 30th September

Ashling Murphy Scholarship

Comhaltas has established three scholarships to recognise and remember the talent and legacy of the late Ashling Murphy. Ashling was a primary school teacher, Comhaltas music teacher and performer.

 

There are three scholarships in her memory awarded each year under the categories of Community, Education and Research.

The scholarships are kindly sponsored by Ken Barrett of KB Leisurewear.

 

Deadline: 28th June

Science Foundation Ireland Discover Programme 2024

The Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover Programme Call aims to empower and inspire deep public engagement and the programme is a key part of the SFI Education and Public Engagement activity. The programme contributes to the themes of Top Talent, Tangible Benefits and A Cohesive Ecosystem.  

 

Through its core objectives, the SFI Discover Programme will contribute to growing opportunities for engaged research, to enabling projects which have strong public purpose and value and, through engagement with community partners, draw on multiple sources to improve, understand or investigate an issue of societal interest or concern. SFI Discover will drive dialogue on science and aim to contribute towards improving diversity and inclusion, through its aims to broaden participation both geographically and amongst less represented voices.

 

Deadline: 3rd July

Consultations for the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is developing a successor strategy to the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy (2019-2021) to promote inclusion, protect rights and to improve quality of life and wellbeing for LGBTI+ people; enabling them to participate fully in Ireland’s social, economic, cultural, and political life.
 
As part of this process the Department wants to gather the views of members of the LGBTIQ+ community and those who engage with LGBTIQ+ issues through their own lived experience, at a local level, in a manner that will contribute most effectively to the development of a new whole of lifecycle strategy.
 
A series of regional consultation workshops will be facilitated by key LGBT experts - Dr Grainne Healy and Dr Kathy Walsh, in partnership with LGBT Ireland. The regional consultations are aimed at those aged 18 and over. A separate consultation process will take place with children and young people.
 
Please follow the relevant link to the register your interest in attending a consultation and to detail any accessibility requirements. Please note that ISL interpretation will only be available at the online consultation workshop on 2nd July.

Training Needs Analysis with "We Act"

Every year We Act runs a training series, providing practical communications training for charities and community groups. Before they finalise the topics for the Autumn series, they want to hear from you!

 

What new communications skills do you want to learn? What do you need a refresher on? How can we help you tell your story?

 

While they have provided a few potential topics to choose from, they also left space for your suggestions and feedback too.

Trans Equality Together Evaluation

This survey is open to trans people across the island of Ireland to comment on their understanding of the purpose and work of Trans Equality Together. 

 

This community consultation was commissioned by Trans Equality Together and will inform their work towards greater justice and equality for trans people.

ODI Mentorship Programme 

The purpose of the Open Doors mentorship programme is to support job seekers from marginalised groups to meet their full potential and achieve their professional goals.

Through this free programme, you will be matched with an experienced professional from an Open Doors member company.

 

The programme will last three to six months and will consist of six individual sessions of one hour each.

 

Your mentor will help you define goals for your career and come up with an action plan to achieve them. They will give you professional advice and guidance to help you define the next steps in your career.

 

If you have any questions about the mentorship programme or Open Doors in general, please get in touch at info@opendoorsinitiative.ie.

Applications are now OPEN for our New Frontiers Phase 2 at ATU Donegal-Sligo

Starting September 2024, Phase 2 is a full-time six-month commitment. You will discover how to develop and validate your business proposition as you work on your capacities as a founder. You can expect workshops, mentoring, lunch-and-learns, and regular milestone reviews.

 

New Frontiers has been described by alumni as a mini MBA. It gives you access to insights from those who have gone before and will help you avoid some of the common pitfalls of start-up life.

EU funding Tips with step-by-step articles for getting started on your own EU funding journey

The EU provides so many opportunities to its Member States to engage in EU funded projects and activities, and to help build the policy that will shape the future of the Union.

 

However, there is no escaping the fact that the EU is a massive and complex institution, and so navigating all of these opportunities can be confusing and even impossible for many organisations who don’t have the time or capacity to invest. As such, Irish civil society in particular are missing out on opportunities that could have a transformational impact on their organisations and communities.

 

This is where Access Europe comes in.

Are you an Irish civil society organisation looking for partners for EU-funded projects? 

The Access Europe partner database connects Irish civil society organisations with organisations across Europe for partnership in EU projects.

Every month they present three new profiles of Irish organisations. Visit the full profiles and get to know them!

The Splash Theatre Presents: "Journey to Hope" - A Drama by Ukrainian Children 

An unforgettable afternoon filled with heartfelt stories and inspiring performances by talented Ukrainian children!  This special event, brought to you by The Splash Theatre in partnership with the Ukrainian Community of Co. Leitrim, is a celebration of hope, resilience, and the power of creativity.

 

Date: Saturday, June 29th, 2024

Time: 3:00 PM

Location: Mayflower Community Centre, Drumshanbo, N41Y8P6.

 

This event is proudly sponsored by Creative Ireland and Leitrim Development Company.

 

Admission is FREE, but donations are gratefully accepted to support future arts programs for Ukrainian children.

 

For inquiries, please contact: nataliya@ldco.ie

 

Don't miss this opportunity to experience a unique and heartwarming theatrical production that celebrates the incredible talent and spirit of Ukrainian children! Let's come together as a community to support and uplift these young voices.

Bottle Cap Mural with Lough Allen College

On Friday the 10th of May, the GEAI volunteers (a PPN member group) and the GEAI director Aedín Mc Loughlin (who is also on the PPN Secretariat) went to The Lough Allen College and took pictures of the mural project reusing plastic bottle caps together with Transition Year students and their teacher.

Open your Doors for We Act at Culture Night – 20th September

We Act is collaborating with Culture Night, once again in 2024, to host a special programme of events aimed at sharing your organisations with the public.

We want charities and community groups to throw open their doors on the evening of 20 September to host events and put a face to the work we do.

 

Now in its third year, We Act at Culture Night is about demonstrating that charity and community work is an important part of our culture here in Ireland.

Taking part is a chance to showcase your organisation, the work you do and the impact you have. It’s an opportunity to connect with current or potential volunteers, supporters, participants or service users.

 

You could collaborate with other local organisations, or bring in guest speakers, tour guides or performers. Culture Night is a large, vibrant, feel-good national event, and you could be part of it. Plus being part of the We Act at Culture Night programme will help us to highlight your event and share the work you do across our platforms and in the media.

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan has developed a guideline for the pollinator-friendly management of sports clubs

With approximately 15,000 clubs across the island of Ireland, sports clubs can play a vital role in conservation of our biodiversity if managed in a pollinator-friendly way. 

 

Introducing pollinator-friendly management across sports clubs would create an entire network of safe places for bees and other insects across the landscape. The positive impact this could have would be enormous.

Special 2 page report on Ireland's Community & Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprise Sector

The Business Post published a special two-page report on Ireland's community and voluntary, charity and social enterprise sector.

IFA to host online quad safety training informatioin webinar

The webinar is aimed at encouraging farmers to complete the quad safety training course and will take place on Tuesday 25th July at 8pm.

WELL-BEING - SURVEY ON INCOME AND LIVING CONDITIONS (SILC) 2023

The well-being results from the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) 2023 have been published by the Central Statistics Office. The data covers overall life satisfaction, satisfaction with financial situation of households, loneliness and others across a range of indicators from age to sex to employment status.