Lough Melvin - image taken by Michelle Brennan Shyabo

Useful Information for Your Community Group

The Wheel Charity Summit

Leitrim, Donegal & Waterford PPN staff attended The Wheel's National Summit for Charities, Community Organisations, and Social Enterprises on Wednesday 29th May at Croke Park, as The Wheel celebrated 25 years of driving positive social change.

 

The Theme was Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future.

We heard from expert speakers & diverse topics.  The Summit was more than an event; it was a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, volunteers, and supporters and network with passion-driven individuals.

 

Thanks to Patricia Keenan, Director of Grants & Economic Services at 2into3 for giving a shout out to Leitrim PPN at the Conference. Patricia’s advice was to register your community and voluntary groups with a PPN  to be able to access grant information etc..

Leitrim PPN attended Community Services Hub - OPEN DAY

Leitrim PPN and Leitrim Development Company attended the Community Services Hub - Open Day in Ballinamore on 28th May in the Den.

Lots of networking with other agencies and information on the new Community Hub & Repair Café.

PPN Reps Support - FINAL REMINDER

Leitrim PPN invite you to a PPN Rep's 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 (Consultant) 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

Reminder - 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.

Reminder - 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.

Funding of €3.3m under the PEACEPLUS Programme approved

Leitrim County Council announced the Special EU programmes Body have approved funding of €3.3m under the PEACEPLUS Programme. The announcement was made at the meeting of the Leitrim PEACEPLUS Partnership Committee on 29th May. Photographed are Leitrim PPN Reps on the Peaceplus Committee with other committee members.

 

The PPN Reps on the Peaceplus Committee are:-

 

Assumpta Kelly

Geographical/ Community/ Civil Society

The North Leitrim Women's Centre

 

Kathleen Kearns

Geographical/ Community/ Civil Society

Foróige, LICG, and Friends of Asylum Seekers Ballinamore

 

Jimmy McGivern

Target Groups

Nua le Cheile

 

Kathryn Hardingham

Target Groups

Elim Church Carrick

 

Liam Breslin

Geographical/ Community/ Civil Society

Good Energies Alliance Ireland

Nuturing Skills Learner Fund

Nuturing Skills Learner Fund is open for registrations.  Interested applicants should email nslf@pobal.ie to request a link to the portal.

 

Contact Leitrim County Childcare Committee for further details 071 96 40870.

AIB Community €1 Million Fund

The AIB Community €1 Million Fund has supported 150 charities across six regions in Ireland, Northern Ireland & Great Britain. The AIB Community €1 Million Fund enables customers, the public and AIB employees to support the local charities that mean most to them, within their region.

 

Deadline: 12th June 2024

2024 One World Week Seed Fund

The OWW Seed Fund is an exciting opportunity for youth organisations to explore an aspect of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to connect your work locally with issues, events and happenings globally’.

 

Project implementation should take place between 12th August – 20th October 2024. Successful applicants will receive a grant of up to €400 and free training with the Youth 2030 expert team to help you deliver a young person-centred project on issues relating to our global world. This funding is to support projects in the non-formal youth work education sector. Bring your ideas to life!

 

Deadline: June 21st 2024

New “Amuigh Faoin Spéir” fund launched to boost biodiversity on public land with outdoor sports facilities

Funding of up to €25,000 is available to every Local Sports Partnership to support nature connected projects at sports facilities that are open to community use. There will be a specific focus on supporting the biodiversity surrounding publicly accessible outdoor sports facilities. Examples of possible projects include biodiversity pollinator-friendly planting, safe nesting sites for birds, bees and bats, the installation of biodiversity ponds, hedgerow and tree planting and rainwater planters.

This is a parallel initiative to the recently launched outdoor sport equipment investment fund, the ‘Participation Nation Outdoor Fund’, which was announced on 3 May by the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD.

 

Deadline: 21st June 2024

GRAINS – Greening Agrifood in Social Economy - Financial Support

Through the GRAINS Financial Facility Program up to 60 Social Economy SMEs will be selected to support financially the implementation of their greening projects in their agrifood businesses in EU Members States and Ukraine.

 

The activities for which social economy SMEs may receive financial support are:

• training (upskilling and reskilling)
• consultancy and labelling for greening their operations
• tailored advisory services to develop local markets
• other elements necessary for greening their enterprises (eco certifications, eco packaging, digitalisation and technologies, etc.)
• additional path of coaching and mentoring on development of the green transition for social enterprises

 

Deadline: 28th June

Recreation & Sports Amenities Funding Call for Expressions of Interest

Call for Funding for Recreation & Sport Related Amenities seeking over €50,000 funding in Leitrim.

 

Deadline: 14th June

SEAI Energy Awards 2024

Award categories 2024

 

Choose from 11 categories

 

The Awards are open to individuals, community groups, SMEs and large businesses from both the public and private sector across the island of Ireland.   

This year's categories include:

• Large Business 
• Small and Medium Business 
• Public Sector
• Inspirational Sustainable Energy Community
• Energy in Buildings
• Renewable Energy
• Energy Research and Innovation (comes with a €10,000 Bursary Prize)
• Transport 
• Residential Energy Upgrades
• Digital Technologies
• Sustainable Energy Leader/ Team of the Year

Deadline: 21st June

Literature Bursary Award

The objective of the English Language Literature Bursary Award is to enable professional writers and picture book artists (working mainly through the English language) to spend more time on their creative work.

 

The maximum amount that may be awarded to each successful applicant is €20,000.

 

Deadline: 20th June

Theatre Bursary Award

The Theatre Bursary Award supports professional theatre artists to develop their artistic practice at all stages of their career.

 

The maximum amount that may be awarded to each successful applicant is €20,000.

 

Deadline: 20th June

LEADER Funding Open

LEADER Funding is now open in County Leitrim. 

 

The three themes of the LEADER programme are set out below;

• Economic Development & Job Creation
• Rural Infrastructure & Social Inclusion
• Rural Environment and Climate Change

For any community group/organisation or business interested in applying for funding, the first step is to complete an Expression of Interest Form which can be found on the LDCo website. 

Science Foundation Ireland Grant

In line with SFI’s 2025 Strategy – Shaping Our Future, the 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.

Deadline: 3 July

Night-Time Economy Accessibility Survey

Tá suirbhé NUA seolta in iarracht teacht ar bhealaí chun go mbeadh rochtain níos éasca ag daoine faoi mhíchumas ar shiamsaíocht oíche.

 

NEW Night-Time Economy Accessibility Survey launched to find solutions on how to make nightlife more accessible for people with disabilities.

 

Deadline: 10th June

Sporting Facilities in County Leitrim Survey

Leitrim County Council is looking for your input on the standard of sporting facilities throughout the county. They are asking clubs, schools, service providers & sporting organisations to complete their short survey.

If you could take a few minutes to complete the survey, they would greatly appreciate it. 

Free Advocacy and Political Communications Training from ICCL for PPN Networks

Over the past few months, ICCL in conjunction with St. Stephen’s Green Trust have been offering training on political advocacy and communications through the Rochatin programme.

The programme has so far provided three rounds of training to over 150 organisations across the county. In addition they have delivered several 1-1 trainings on the political system and how groups can hone their messages to improve their impact on policy.

They are now moving into the next phase of the project. Over the next few months, they want to take this training on the road and work with smaller community and grassroots organisations to help them build their advocacy capacity and understanding of the political system.

To this end, they are conducting a short needs assessment survey for community and voluntary groups in order to assess the areas of interest for training, and where in the country they should offer this training. 

The training has been generously funded by St. Stephen’s Green Trust so is offered free of charge to community and voluntary organisations.

 

Please fill out this survey.

We Act - Ireland's Charities & Communities in action

We Act is a campaign to celebrate the impact of Ireland's charities and community groups.

 

It elevates the positive stories and acknowledge the remarkable, everyday efforts of thousands of people around the country.

Training with Boardmatch Ireland

No one is born a Charity Trustee; it is important to undertake training to understand the role and responsibilities of charity and not-for-profit board members.

National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards 2024 | Applications NOW OPEN!!

Age Friendly Ireland is thrilled to announce that they are now open for applications to the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards 2024. Each year a local authority hosts the awards event, and they are excited to reveal that Fingal County Council are hosting this year’s event on the 7th of November 2024 in the Crowne Plaza, Northwood, Santry, Dublin.

Again this year there are eight categories of awards, aligning to the WHO themes:

• Transport
• Active & Healthy Ageing
• Business Innovation
• Safety & Security
• Communications
• Environment
• Community Innovation
• Housing

Age Friendly are seeking innovative projects from across this range of areas that have real impact on the lives of older people and have the potential to be showcased and replicated. We will be welcoming initiatives at both local and national level. Shortlisted projects will be visited by the judging panel and invited to Ireland’s Age Friendly Recognition and Achievements Awards ceremony in Dublin in November.

 

Deadline: 28th June

Retrofit Ready

"LEITRIM: EMPOWERING KNOWLEDGE IN SUSTAINABLE RETROFITTING"

The Retrofit Ready project has played a pivotal role in removing barriers to retrofitting in communities across Leitrim.  On Thursday a key milestone in the project was achieved with the launch of the Retrofit Ready website.  "The aim of our website is to make the process of retrofitting and applying for grants easier and more accessible to communities" Carol Durkin Retrofit Champion.  To date the project has engaged with close to 2000 individual's across Sligo and Leitrim making their journey to a warmer more energy efficient home an easier more Plesant experience.  

 

The Retrofit Ready project is led by the ILDN and consists of four border Local Development Companies:  Leitrim Development Company, Sligo Leader, Monaghan Integrated Development and Cavan County Local Development.  Technical expertise is supplied by Plan Energy and ATU Sligo.  The initiative is part of the Community Climate Action Programme Strand 2 which focuses on climate education, capacity building and learning by doing and funding is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Environment, Climate, Communication and Transport.  

Arrival of vehicle sharing service GoCar in Leitrim

As part of the expansion, GoCar earlier this year launched its first vehicles in Carrick-on-Shannon and after huge demand and interest are now growing further in partnership with Leitrim County Council with the introduction of an all-electric option located in the town centre.

Border People

Crossing the border regularly?

 

Need cross border information?

Cross-border workers must declare their income where they live and where they work.

The Community Foundation of Ireland

The Community Foundation of Ireland  have launched their new Grants Resources page which will hold key pieces of information like help with applying for funding, sharing funding ideas, accessing grant portal, submitting changes and submitting progress with reports.

 

The page will also hold frequently asked questions and more important information to help grantees. 

The Food for the Brain Charity

The Food for the Brain charity focuses on helping people make simple, positive changes that will give your brain and memory an upgrade and dementia-proof your diet and lifestyle in the future.

GAA have launched a new phone line

The GAA have responded to calls to assist older people purchase tickets by developing a dedicated phone line.

 

Croke Park has alerted all club and county officers that a new “GAA Match Ticket Assistant” has been launched “to assist patrons who may have difficulty purchasing GAA match tickets online”.

Supporters can call the phone number, relay what game they wish to attend and the type of ticket they are looking to purchase.

The GAA Match Ticket Assistant phone number is (01) 514-33-22.

Inspire Ireland Foundation

Inspire Ireland Foundation is a charitable organisation that helps young people lead happier lives. They are part of an international network of foundations with the same mission, operating in Australia and the USA. Inspire Ireland achieves its mission through the delivery of ReachOut.com, an online service to help young people aged 12-25 years-old get through tough times.

 

A safe place to chat anonymously, get support, and feel better.