Glencar Waterfall

Love Where You Live Awards NOW OPEN

Leitrim County Council and Leitrim Public Participation Network are delighted to launch the 2025 Love Where You Live Awards.

 

Enter your voluntary or community group under one of the 5 categories:

• Social Inclusion
• Community Achievement
• Age Friendly Community
• Green Community
• Green Estate

Deadline: 26th May

Climate Action, Environment, Heritage, Biodiversity & Agriculture Linkage Group

Thank you to all who attended our Climate Action, Environment, Heritage, Biodiversity & Agriculture Linkage Group in Drumshanbo recently.

 

We heard very interesting presentations from Madeleine Kelly on -

• Overview of water quality and pollution sources and pathways
• The water framework directive and you
• Your drinking water source to tap
• Why farm Surveys?

The second presentation was from John Brennan Leitrim Organic Farmers and Talamh Beo.  Talamh Beo is a democratically organised, member-led organisation.  It is run by farmers who have direct experience of the issues they campaign on.

Secretariat Meeting

The next PPN Secretariat meeting will take place in person in Leitrim Development Company in 29th April at 4pm.

All Secretariat members requested to attend.

Register your event for Biodiversity Week

16th – 25th May 2025

Are you planning to run an event during Biodiversity Week this year?

If so, register your event with Leitrim PPN for inclusion in Leitrim County Council Biodiversity Week programme of events, and on Leitrim PPN fortnightly newsletter.

Email supportworker@leitrimppn.ie including the following information:

· Event Title
· Event details (40 words max.)
· Venue/ Meeting Point
· Date
· Time Start
· Time End/Duration
· Admission Fee
· Booking Requirements (e.g. event webpage, or email address)
· Contact details-name, Tel/ E-mail
· Wheelchair Accessible
· Suitable for Children
· Parking

Leitrim PPN will forward your event to The Biodiversity Officer in Leitrim County Council.

Deadline for inclusion is 1st May. 

Leitrim PPN Plenary Thurs 15th May in

Carrick on Shannon - all groups welcome

Keynote speaker is Heather Humphreys.

 

Special guest at our plenary is Ger Deering, who was appointed Ombudsman and Information Commissioner for Ireland by President Michael D. Higgins in January 2022.

 

The Ombudsman’s  job is to examine complaints from members of the public who believe they have been unfairly treated by certain public service providers.

The Ombudsman also examines complaints about failures by public bodies to provide accessible buildings, services and information, as required under Part 3 of the Disability Act 2005.

They provide a free public service that is open and accountable. They examine complaints in a fair, independent and impartial way.

 

The Plenary is an opportunity for PPN member groups to meet, network and have a say on the work of the PPN and hear of upcoming events/training courses etc.

 

There will be refreshments, information stands and a discussion on funding grants.

The Leitrim Gathering - Spread the Word

23rd to 25th May 2025

Green & Gold Initiative for

Community Groups for The Leitrim Gathering

Calling all Clubs/groups/organisations to start decorating!

 

How to Participate:

 

1. Decorate the window or exterior of your organisation/ club with the GREEN & GOLD colours of Leitrim, reflecting the excitement and unity of The Leitrim Gathering in the lead up to 23rd May.

 

2. Get creative — whether it’s banners, flags, balloons, or anything else that represents our county’s pride!

 

3. Take a picture of your display and email to info@leitrimppn.ie or what’s app it to 086 1281013 by 20th May to be in a with a chance to win a unique prize for your group.

Political Communications & Advocacy Skills Workshop

The North West PPN Network is delighted to host this session which will be delivered by The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), with support from St. Stephen's Green Trust.

 

The session is aimed at all PPN members and would be of specific interest to existing or potential community representatives.

 

The workshop will be online on Tuesday May 6th, 6.30pm.

 

Topics covered include

• Understanding the political system
• Knowing when and how to effectively communicate with TD's and senators
• How to research and present information on your causes to enhance political impact
• Understanding your lobbying obligations

FREE Training Courses for Member Groups

Have you registered for one of Leitrim PPN’s FREE trainings for community groups?

 

Check out what is on offer.

This year Leitrim PPN have teamed up with Leitrim Volunteer Centre to provide eight courses FREE to PPN member groups.

• Tue 29th April
  Canva/Social Media  (last chance to register)
  7 to 9pm  at Leitrim Volunteer Centre
  

 

• Thurs 8th May
  Governance/ AGM's Committee Meetings
  7 to 9pm  at Leitrim Volunteer Centre
  

You must register for these courses or you won't receive the link to go online, *Please only sign up for courses you know you will be able to attend, as spaces are limited.

Leitrim PPN Member Spotlight
Island Theatre, Ballinamore

The Island Theatre is a state-of-the-art Performance Venue located in Ballinamore and a PPN Member group.

 

There are a number of different sized meeting rooms available.

 

Their aims are to nurture and develop Leitrim based music, dance, drama performers, to bring national and international talent representing a wide range of cultural genres to the North West, to nurture our vibrant home-grown community arts programmes.

Men's Shed Association

Leitrim PPN along with Roscommon PPN attended the Irish Mens Shed Association Roscommon/Leitrim County Network held in The Hive on Wednesday 9th April.

Guest Speakers included:-
📢Cailin Reynolds ,SICAP Funding for sheds
📢Áine Butler Creative Communities Engagement Officer - Update on Grants/supports
📢Dolores Mc Sharry GRETB - Update on Grants and project work
📢Mary Mc Keon Leitrim PPN - update on work, upcoming events, training, awards
📢Marina Devaney - Dementia Adviser Sligo/Leitrim - Alzheimer Society of Ireland services - Hand out of the IMSA Manual “ Your Shed and Dementia “

MEP Maria Walsh Visit to

Leitrim Development Company

Delighted to have MEP Maria Walsh an elected Member of the European Parliament for the Midlands-North-West constituency visit us in our office in Leitrim Development  Company in Drumshanbo last week.  Great discussion on the issues affecting rural communities and all programmes including the Public Participation Networks.

PPN Member Group Lough Rinn Dragons

1st Anniversary Celebration

Delighted to be invited to Lough Rinn Caravan Park, Lough Rinn, Mohill last weekend as Leitrim Public Participation Network member group Lough Rinn Dragons celebrated their first year on the water and the launch of their brand new boat Misneach - great happy celebration - well done to all involved in organising. 

Great teamwork, fitness and a love for dragon boat paddling - here's to many more great years on the water from Secretariat and staff at Leitrim PPN.

 

Dragon Hearts, an inspiring and emotional documentary following members of Ireland’s dragon boat racing community, brought together not just by sport, but by their shared experience with cancer will air on Monday 21st April, 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Funding Call for Traveller Pride Week

Events 19 – 30th May

The theme for this years Traveller Pride Week is "Empowering the Future: The Next Generation of Irish Travellers"

• Events must celebrate traveller culture
• Funding of up to €2,500 is available to applicants

Deadline: 25th April

Pushing Against Racism Fund

The fund for strengthening diversity and inclusion within the social skateboarding community worldwide has doubled this year!

The Pushing Against Racism Fund will distribute a total of $30,000 USD in grants to support social skateboarding projects worldwide. They will select at least one project per continent to receive $2500 each, as well as up to 10 smaller projects around the world to receive $1000 each.

 

Deadline: 30th April

2025 Clár Scheme

The 2025 Clár Scheme is now open for applications.

The Clár scheme supports small infrastructural projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.  This funding assists in building

the resilience of these rural communities.

 

Leitrim County Council will be administering Measure 1 of the Clár Scheme: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities

 

Funding Available

A minimum grant of €5,000 and maximum grant of €65,000 will apply to this measure.

To facilitate projects of a slightly greater scale, each local authority can submit 2 applications seeking grant funding of up to €100,000. This means that each local authority can submit the following:

13 applications seeking funding of between €5,000 and €65,000

2 applications seeking funding of between €5,000 and €100,000

 

Who can apply

Schools, Community and Voluntary Groups, Sports Clubs, and Local Development Companies.

 

If you have any queries on the scheme, please email clarfunding@leitrimcoco.ie or phone 071 96 20005 Ext 496 

 

Deadline: Measure 1 - 16th May

The Education Opportunity Fund

The Education Opportunity Fund provides catalytic support for sustainable impact in the following areas:

• Enhancing Educational Access: Expanding access to education with a focus on STEM by funding technology and programs that help remove barriers for students in grades K-12 in the United States and international equivalent.
• Promoting Emotional Wellbeing: Advancing the development of long-term social-emotional and mental health resources for students and schools that are under-resourced.
• Improving Educational Systems: Addressing policy changes, updating curricula, and supporting an expansive talent pipeline within the education sector.

Education Opportunity Fund grants will be issued in the range of $50,000 – $250,000 per year for 1, 2, or 3 years.

 

Deadline: to submit Letter of Inquiry 9th May

SuperValu TidyTowns 2025

In place since 1958, e competitioon, administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and sponsored by SuperValu, continues to be one of the most recognised and sustainable, environmental and community  initivatives in the country.

 

Deadline: 12th May

Community Safety Fund

The Fund:

 

• allows proceeds of crime to be directed into projects to support and enhance community safety

• ensures that the most appropriate proposals to improve community safety will access the funding they need

• allows best practice on community safety and youth justice to be shared with other partnerships and communities nationally as new proposals are developed

• benefits from the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing the proceeds from criminal activity

 

Deadline: 16th May

Farm Safety, Health and Wellbeing Projects 2025

This open call for project proposals is one of a series of initiatives being implemented in 2025 by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in helping to improve the safety, health and wellbeing of Irish farmers and their families.

 

The Department is inviting applications from individuals, groups and organisations that have the capability and vision, to develop and deliver projects which address farm safety, health and wellbeing challenges on Irish farms.  These projects will support and promote best practice and bring about behavioural change to minimise the risks to the safety, health, and wellbeing of everyone on farms, including farmers, workers, farm families and visitors.

 

Deadline: 19th May

Hi Digital Fund

Rethink Ireland, in partnership with the Vodafone Foundation, SmartSimple, private donors and the Department of Rural and Community Development are delighted to share details with your organisation about the launch of the Hi Digital Fund.

    

They invite applications from projects and organisations that innovatively work to empower Ireland’s older adults to enhance their digital literacy, as well as improve social inclusion and quality of life through the use of technology, to ensure that no one is left behind as we transition to a more digital society. 

The fund offers a package of cash grants and non-financial supports for up to five projects to help them expand and increase their social impact. 

 

This includes:  

• Up to five awards of up to €70,000.  
• The non-financial supports include:  
• a place on Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Programme.  
• business and capacity-building supports designed in consultation with successful projects on topics such as strategic planning, maximising your impact, communications, and fundraising. 

Deadline: 23rd May

Festival Investments Scheme 2026

The Festivals Investment Scheme supports small-to-mid-scale festivals to deliver high-quality arts experiences for audiences. It opens for applications on Tuesday 29th April 2025. Round 1 is for festivals commencing 1 January– 30 June 2026

It focuses on programmes engaged with, and relevant to, local communities or communities of interest.

 

Deadline: 29th May

Minor Foundation for Major Challenges Grant Program

Unifor support new and unexpected ways of communicating the need for transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

They want to finance projects that inspire them.  Many charitable funders will avoid unproven techniques, high-risk projects, or audiences not reached by normal campaigns.

 

In light of MFMC’s Full Funding Strategy, the Board will review all applications against the following questions:

– Describe the systemic change you are seeking to create

– Why are you the right group or organisation to achieve this change?

– Why is your project needed at this exact moment?

 

Deadline: 29th May

Aldi 2025 Community Grants Programme

ALDI Ireland has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Grants Programme, continuing its commitment to supporting local charities and community organisations across the country.  This programme aims to empower local organisations who contribute vital work and services to their local communities.

 

ALDI is calling on charities and community organisations to nominate themselves for a €500 ALDI Gift Card by dropping into their local ALDI store.  Staff from each of ALDI’s 163 stores, two distribution centres, and corporate offices will then vote for a charity or community organisation in their local area to receive the grant.  This process enables ALDI’s staff to support worthy and impactful causes in their local communities.

 

Deadline: 31st May

DAFM's 2025 Thematic Research Call is now open

€30 million will be invested in new research over five years to drive innovation, competitiveness and sustainability in the agri-food, forest and bioeconomy sector.

 

The 2025 Call will support research in four strategic areas:

1. Climate, Agri-Environment and Biodiversity
2. Smart, Sustainable Animal and Plant Production, Health and Welfare
3. Bioeconomy, Ag-tech, Agri-Digitalisation and Data
4. Safe, Nutritious and Sustainable Food Processing and Consumption

 

Funded projects will range from €750,000 to €3 million, with a maximum duration of five years.

 

Deadline: 10th June

TIDAL ArtS: Atlantic - Arctic Lighthouse Call

The Lighthouse Calls are part of the TIDAL ArtS initiative, funded by the EU to support the Mission to Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030.

Through this open call, 20 artists, collectives, and creatives across Europe will be awarded €15,000 grants to create participatory, community-focused artworks.

The selected projects must connect citizens to their aquatic environments and raise awareness of environmental challenges through artistic expression.

 

Deadline: 14th June

Heritage Week Small Grants

This year Heritage Week’s theme ‘Exploring Our Foundations’ invites us to delve into the building blocks of our heritage; not just the structures, but the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us and takes place from 16th – 24th August 2025.

 

A small grant scheme will be in place to assist towards the cost of your Heritage Week events.   

 

Deadline: 27th June

As Darragh Did (Funding)

As Darragh Did is seeking to fund local clubs, societies, groups, and projects with a donation to be used to encourage participation.

 

Your funding should be used in a way which gets people involved in their local community …. as Darragh did.  

 

Funds can also be used to raise awareness of what you do in your community.

The maximum donation in any 36-month period is €2,000.

Share your views on the future of Manorhamilton town centre!

Leitrim County Council and the Manorhamilton Town Team are developing a Town Centre First Plan, and want to hear your thoughts on what makes the town great and what needs improvement.

Have Your Say on Sustainable Mobility!

ILMI is hosting two online discussion spaces on the 30th of April, and the 7th of May.  The zoom sessions take place from 11am to 1pm on both days.  In order to gather ideas for our submission on the National Sustainable Mobility Action Plan 2026-2030.

 

The National Sustainable Mobility Policy (NSMP) is a strategic framework aimed at increasing active travel (walking, wheeling, cycling) and public transport use to help achieve a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

 

These sessions are an opportunity for disabled people to shape policy and ensure our voices are at the heart of sustainable mobility planning.

 

Join Independent Living Movement Ireland and be part of the conversation!

For details and the registration link contact - Policy Officer michaelseifu@ilmi.ie

Free Food Safety Training – FSAI Level 1 & 2

Dates: 29th & 30th April | 1st May 2025
Times: Tues & Wed (29th & 30th April) | 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
            Thurs (1st May) | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Venue: Online

Certified by About Hygiene Ltd.
Learn HACCP, food contamination prevention, hygiene, and more!

Sport Ireland Safeguarding 3 - Thurs 22nd May

Safeguarding 3 is a 3-hr, online child protection in sport workshop for the Designated Liaison Officer.                                 

 

Register: sport@leitrimcoco.ie                                        Cost: €15.00

Sun Smart for Parents Webinar

The HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is hosting a webinar as part of the 2025 SunSmart campaign on ‘SunSmart for Parents- - Protect children’s skin from sunburn and sun damage’. 

 

The webinar is being held as part of the annual SunSmart campaign which runs from April to September.

The webinar will highlight new research commissioned by the HSE NCCP on ‘Parents’/Guardians’ Attitudes, Behaviours, Knowledge and Awareness of Sun Protection in Ireland’. 

 

Skin cancer clinical nurse specialists (CNS) Louise Fleming and Aoife Moloney from St Vincent’s Hospital will also discuss the importance of sun protection for children and raise awareness on steps parent/guardians can take to look after children's skin.

 

We hope this webinar will help you improve adoption of the SunSmart 5 S’s and highlight the importance of sun protection for parents and their children.

Muintir na Tíre – National Association for the Promotion of Community Development in Ireland

Paint Giveaway

Colour to Communities is back!

 

The Paint Reuse Network is giving away up to 100L of reused paint for your community painting project!

Hello, How Are You?

On Thursday May 15th 2025, Mental Health Ireland will be holding their annual campaign 'HELLO, HOW ARE YOU?

 

Hello, How are you? is a campaign about connection and engaging in open conversations about mental health.  The campaign asks individuals, communities, workplaces, friends & family to say Hello and ask the question ‘How Are You?’ in a meaningful way.  Asking this small question and having one conversation can make a real difference in someone’s life.  Creating, maintaining and staying connected with others helps tackle loneliness, creates a sense of belonging and purpose and builds relationships.

 

You don’t need to be an expert to have a meaningful conversation.  By using the HELLO Steps, you can feel supported in asking the question. Let’s make saying Hello and asking How Are You?  an everyday question that keeps us connected.

You can support this campaign by hosting a coffee morning/Connect Café, a lunchtime walk, an information stand, post a social media campaign or add it to a meeting that day, the possibilities are endless.

 

If you are planning to host an event, Mental Health Ireland ask that you please register it on their national website through the link below so they can keep track of all the events taking place across the country.   

 

If you want to learn more about the campaign before organising an event, there will be a number of online information sessions available which take approximately 30-40 minutes.

 

There are also have a number of Training Sessions taking place online (and in person if needed), to support those who are planning to support the campaign but would like some further information on using the HELLO framework.  The training sessions will take around 2 hours.

 

Please e-mail info@leitrimppn.ie if you would like a poster template to advertise your Hello, How are you? event. 

Agrosocial

Leitrim Development Company through their Social Farming projects has been collaborating with two groups in Valencia in Spain, in an Erasmus+ funded project called Agrosocial since January 2024 and which will conclude in September 2025.

 

An event which will take place at the Organic Centre Rossinver on Tuesday 20th May from 10.00 to 1.pm.  LDCo are inviting people interested in farming, horticulture, community gardens and those who like to participate and hear about the project and also about how gardening / farming can be beneficial in engaging and supporting people in the community who may be at risk of exclusion such as people with disabilities, those recovering from mental ill health, long term unemployed, older people, children, new communities etc       

 

It will bring together communities of interest in horticulture, farming / agriculture, community gardens and those people and their advocates who are at risk of exclusion and who benefit from participating in social farming, community gardening and environmental activities. Those attending will learn and share how growing together can enhance inclusion and suitability in our communities.  

 

Please spread the word and if you or others are interested in attending please register by contacting Mary Brennan mbrennan@ldco.ie  PLACES WILL BE LIMITED

Free 1 Day Website Health Check for Nonprofit & Charity Organisations

TechStorm Consulting Ltd, headquartered in Dublin, is proud to support nonprofit and charity organisations across Ireland and the UK with creative, responsive, and affordable website solutions.  They now offer a Free 1-Day Website Health Check to help organisations assess and improve their online presence, usability, and performance.

The Farming for Nature Impact Report 2025 is here!

Here you’ll find inspiring actions, powerful stories, and real results from the land.  It’s a must-read for anyone passionate about farming and nature.

Discover the full picture, celebrate the wins, and see how you can help grow this movement.

Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline

1800 341 900

It can be hard to talk about what is happening to you if you are being abused, but the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline is here to help, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  National Freephone Helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The second round of the 2025 Leitrim Photo competition is here!

Unleash your creativity by submitting your photo of your favourite place/ walk/ or heritage site in Leitrim and be in with a chance to feature in the 2026 Leitrim Tourism Calendar as well as a €50 voucher.  Whether you’re a professional or an enthusiastic smartphone photographer, the contest is open to all.

 

Leitrim Tourism are now asking for pictures with the theme of spring/summer in Leitrim.

Photos can be submitted by direct message on their Facebook or Instagram page.

Deadline: 30th of May 2025.

 

For this competition, there will be an external judge picking their top 15 photos from all photos received. These photos will be published on Leitrim Tourism Facebook and Instagram page. The photo with the most amount of likes across both channels will be the winner.

Government approves Climate Action Plan 2025