Annaduff

Happy New Year

We wish all our members a wonderful start to 2025 and look forward to working together in the year ahead.

 

As we navigate this chilly weather, we've included some useful cold weather resources below to help you stay safe and warm during the cold snap. 

 

This e-bulletin also features funding opportunities, training opportunities, community and PPN news and we are delighted to promote YOUR events for free.

Community Meeting - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Leitrim Public Participation Network, PPN is organising a public meeting on Thurs 23rd Jan at 7pm in the Den, Swanlinbar Rd., Ballinamore to bring many stakeholders together to discuss the various and serious issues that occurred recently during and after Storm Darragh.  The impact was nationwide but some of the most affected areas was in the North West.

 

Many households, farms and businesses were without power and water for extended periods following extremely strong and gusty winds associated with Storm Darragh which caused widespread and extensive damage to the electricity network across the country.

 

This has been an ongoing issue in Leitrim and surrounding counties with any storms and windy periods.  Many community groups and community representatives feel that their experiences of this and the impacts of it are not being listened to.  They are also concerned that very little or nothing is being done to prevent the breakdown in these services from happening again. 

 

Leitrim PPN are inviting senior representatives of the ESB, Coillte, The Forest Service (Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine) Leitrim County Council and representatives of forestry owners and landowners to come along to the public meeting on Jan 23rd to provide information on what their responsibilities and actions are and also to listen to people and the communities affected by this.

 

Leitrim PPN are also inviting members of the public who have been affected, local Councillors, Community groups and our local TDs to attend. 

 

The meeting will be chaired by an independent chair.

 

We look forward to seeing you there.  All welcome to come along to listen and have your say so we can come up with recommendations and solutions going forward.

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

All welcome to the Climate Action, Environment, Heritage, Biodiversity & Agriculture Linkage Group meeting in Leitrim Development Company, Drumshanbo on Wed 29th Jan at 7.30pm.

 

All member groups welcome with an interest in Climate Action, Environment, Heritage, Biodiversity or Agriculture.  Agenda will be circulated nearer the time.

Leitrim PPN Outreach Clinic

Come along to learn more about the PPN, how to get involved and have your voice heard, support with funding and upcoming grants and training courses.

 

PPN Outreach Clinics (capacity building with member groups)

• Ballinamore Wed 12th Feb 10.30am – 1.30pm
• Carrick on Shannon Wed 26th March 10.30am – 1.30pm
• Manorhamilton Wed 2nd April 10.30am – 1.30pm

Secretariat Meeting

The first secretariat meeting of 2025 is Tue 28th Jan 4pm online – all secretariat members to attend.

 

The PPN Secretariat is an important part of the PPN.  It is the administrative arm and takes its direction from the Plenary (all of the Member Groups).

 

The Secretariat is made up of Member Group representatives from each of the three Colleges (Community and Voluntary, Social Inclusion and Environmental).  The

role of the Secretariat is to makes sure that the decisions taken by the Plenary, the operational decision-making body of the PPN, are carried out.

 

They also oversee the implementation of the Strategic Plan.

Members Directory

Volunteer-led groups and organisations are the backbone of our communities and make a huge contribution to society, the economy and the environment.  These groups range in size and interest.   From large sports groups to small choirs and resident’s associations.  Some have a national reach and a network of local branches, while others are mainly concerned with their community and stay local. Big or small, all have an important role to play.

Reps Information/ Training & Networking Day 

Reps Information/Training & Networking Day in the Sligo Park Hotel on Fri 7th Feb at 10.30am with lunch – all PPN Reps urges to attend, especially PPN reps who sit on county council committees. 

 

This will be facilitated by Brian Harvey who is an independent social researcher, working in social policy analysis, research, evaluation and strategic planning.  His main fields of work are poverty, social inclusion, community development, equality, human rights, European integration and the world of non-governmental organisations.

Leitrim PPN Member Spotlight

Drumsna Community Resource Centre

The legendary Hot Meals Direct delivery service is committed to fostering independence and quality of life, by providing quality, affordable and nutritionally balanced meals 5 days a week.

Extra meals can be delivered on Fridays – these are pre-chilled and can simply be heated for consumption over the weekend.

Drumsna Community Resource Centre is proud of its cutting-edge kitchen and catering facilities.  All meals are prepared by our professional and hugely experienced Chef and then delivered in eco-friendly vans to our clients’ doorsteps by a team of dedicated drivers.

The cost is just €7.00 including FREE delivery.

Individual meals can be customised to some extent, at no extra cost.  They also offer a SMALL number of dessert options.

They currently produce and deliver upwards of 18,000 hot and nutritious meals per year.

Their clients include…

• Older people who wish to remain in their homes
• Those with physical disabilities
• Those suffering from illnesses and recovering from surgeries
• Those who need special dietary planning and assistance

Based in Drumsna, Co Leitrim, they cover Carrick on Shannon, Drumshanbo, Leitrim Village, and surrounding areas.

Their second delivery van covers Mohill, Fenagh, Ballinamore, Kesh, Cloone and surrounding area.

Regardless of weather conditions, they aim to provide a hot meal to your door.

Please note, this service is also available to the general public.

Call Drumsna Community Resource Centre the previous day before 3pm, and they will advise you of the menu choice for the following day, or days.

All enquires can be made through Julie Dockery, Centre Manager on 071 96 25782 or 087 428 0521.

 

Well done Drumsna Community Resource Centre on providing this fantastic & important service.

SPARK €300 Mini-Grant Scheme

The SPARK Mini-Grant Scheme aims to support youth arts taster workshops for young people aged 10 to 25 in youth work and non-formal education settings – sparking young people’s interest in new art forms and ideas as well as supporting new working relationships with local artists! The SPARK Mini-Grant Scheme is part of the SPARK Youth Arts Festival 2025!

 

Grants of €300 are available

 

Eligible expenditure includes artist facilitation fees, materials, venue rental, travel costs etc

** Funding dependent on National Youth Arts Programme funding 2025 **

 

Deadline: 22nd January

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Peatlands & Natura Community Engagement Scheme 2025

Applications are being invited across a diverse range of initiatives with a community benefit including: 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.

 

Successful applicants for this year’s assistance will be awarded funding to support a maximum of 80% of the project’s eligible costs, with a maximum grant of €40,000 for Natura 2000 designated sites and up to €20,000 for Non-Natura 2000 peatland sites.

 

Deadline: 24th January

Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme 2024/2025

Leitrim County Council operate a Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme. 

Leitrim County Council aim to encourage the cutting of roadside hedges/trees along the Public Road Network.  Open to all, individual applicants, communities and groups.

 

Deadline: 31st January

Amazon Literary Partnership 2025 Grant

With the goal of helping those from all communities in the UK and the Republic of Ireland tell their stories through writing and find an audience, the Amazon Literary Partnership supports non-profit literary organisations that empower writers to create, publish, learn, teach, experiment, and thrive.  They provide grant funding to innovative groups that amplify diverse voices and strive not only for a lasting impact on writers' lives, the literary and publishing communities but also our broader community. 

 

Deadline: 31st January

Movement for Good 2025

2024 nominations are not carried over.
First winners announced 31st January!

Rural Action Awards Scheme

To celebrate the start of 2025 Rural Action are delighted to reopen their Rural Action Awards Scheme.

 

There is a further 6 Awards of £/€1000 ready to be claimed by community/voluntary groups based in rural Northern Ireland or the border region of Ireland.

 

Simple application and verification process, 6 recipients randomly selected.

 

Deadline: 1st February

The Entrepreneurship Impact Fund – Strand 2: Youth Entrepreneurship Incubators 2025

The Entrepreneurship Impact Fund 2023-2026 is a three-year fund, through the support of a private donor, which aims to have impact across three strands:

Strand 1: The Social Innovation Growth and Scaling Fund (awarded)

Strand 2: Youth Entrepreneurship Incubators

Strand 3: The Minority Entrepreneurship Fund

 

Strand 2 will support up to two organisations over two years to run new or existing youth entrepreneurship incubators, supporting young people aged 16-25 to bring their social or environmental business ideas or social enterprise from concept to reality.

This fund is open to organisations that have a not-for-profit legal form, e.g. a company limited by guarantee, a co-operative, trust, charity, and other voluntary organisations.

 

Deadline: 17th February

Music Capital Scheme 2024 Piano Award

Applications are now open for the Music Capital Scheme 2024 Piano Award. This award is designed to support the purchase/refurbishment of concert standard grand pianos by a) arts venues, and b) music presenters programming in a dedicated performance space, promoting excellence in music performance.

The total funding available for The Music Capital Scheme 2024 Piano Award is €180,000.

 

Who can apply

• Arts venues
• Music presenters programming in a dedicated performance space.

Applications may be submitted in partnership with a Local Authority where the venue or presenter is the lead partner. Individuals are not eligible to apply for this award.

Applicants must:

• be based in the Republic of Ireland
• not currently have a concert standard grand piano in performance condition in situ
• be managed at a professional level and uphold best practice in relation to their governance and operations
• be able to demonstrate that they provide all of the following:
- concert programming of the highest professional standard
- a year round music programme for audiences
- support for professional musicians in their work e.g. professional development opportunities such as artist residencies,
masterclasses etc. (current and future plans will be taken into consideration)
• have a strong track record of engagement with their local community.

Minor repair work or tuning alone are not eligible under this award.

 

An online information session for applicants will take place at 6pm on 22 January 2025.

 

Deadline: 19th February

Local Enhancement Programme 2025

Community and Voluntary Groups are now invited to apply for the Local Enhancement Programme 2025. (LEP)

 

This fund will provide small scale capital funding and current funding to support community groups across Ireland.

 

The capital funding will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, training equipment etc.

 

The current funding will support groups/organisations with running costs associated with their facilities and groups – such as electricity bills, refuse costs, rental costs, etc that were incurred and paid for between 1st June 2024-20th February 2025

The total allocation for Leitrim for 2024 is as follows:

€102,037 capital funding to use towards carrying out necessary repairs and improvements to facilities, energy efficiency type projects, purchase of equipment etc.

€17,006 current funding to be used towards running costs e.g. rental/lease costs, utility bills, insurance costs.

 

The grant is small in nature and is available to a range of community groups, including Men’s and Women’s sheds/groups, community centres, local voluntary groups, etc. Offers of funding may be for a lesser amount than requested as the programme may be oversubscribed.

 

The following funding will be available:

Capital Funding: Grants up to €5000

Current Funding: Grants up to €750

 

Further Information and Training:

Leitrim County Council will be hosting online workshops to guide you through the process of submitting an online application form for the Local Enhancement Programme on the following dates:

Wednesday, 22nd January 7-8pm 

 

Thursday, 23rd January 7-8pm

 

You must register to attend.

Places are limited, please limit to 2 representatives per group.

If you have further questions, please email community@leitrimcoco.ie or call 071-9620005 ext 855 or 157.

 

Deadline: 21st February

(Opening Soon) Emigrant Support Programme 

Working through hundreds of organisations across the world, the Emigrant Support Programme focuses primarily on two areas:

- support for the vulnerable and underrepresented

- nurturing Ireland’s cultural heritage abroad among the diaspora.

 

Grant round 2025/2026 will open on the 29th of January 2025.

Arts Council of Ireland Funding 

The Arts Council of Ireland have a number of funding opportunities opening in January.  Arts organisations, artists, and groups working within the arts can apply for funding.

Funding for Healthy Age Friendly Homes announced

Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme is designed to help older people live healthier and more independent lives in their own homes for longer.

 

Additional €0.667 million in funding for the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme builds on €5.2 million in annual recurring funding.

 

Local Coordinators, based in each local authority, conduct home visits and assess needs across six domains: health, housing, social and community supports, assistive technologies, climate, and finance. They then work with each older person to design a personalised action plan to support their health and independence.

National Training Fund Carmichael Programme 2025

Carmichael is offering a variety of funded tailored programmes designed to support small - to medium sized not for profit organisations. 

 

Currently the programme includes:

• NTF Annual Report Support Programme 2025
• NTF Impact Management Support 2025
• NTF Strategic Planning Support Support 2025
• Leadership Programme: Effective Leadership & Management of Teams x 2
• Diversity & Inclusion Programme: Embracing Diversity, Encouraging Inclusion
• Enhance Coaching Skills Programme
• Dealing with Difficult Situations

Communities in Partnership Programme

The new ‘Communities in Partnership Programme’ (CiPP) is focused on embedding lasting relationships on a cross-border basis by supporting cooperation and innovation between groups and organisations North and South on projects that have a meaningful benefit for local communities. 

The programme has been developed to respond to: 

• The impacts of Brexit, including the uncertainties and the realities/perceptions associated with it; 
• A renewed focus on cultural identity: 
• A resurgence in paramilitary activity; 
• The risks of borders becoming a physical and psychological barrier to harmonious relationships ; 
• The challenge of the COVID pandemic which will remain for some time and the associated risk of individuals and communities becoming isolated and alienated; 
• The need to build resilience and develop local leadership in communities. 

 

The IFI wants to encourage sustainable engagement and dialogue between communities across the island of Ireland to ensure that bonds of friendship, neighbourliness and partnership can flourish.  It recognises that there is a continued need for support, especially in marginalised communities that can be hard to reach, and the new ‘Communities in Partnership Programme’ recognises the 
need to adapt support for communities based on their evolving needs.  

The IFI will invite applications for cross-border projects submitted jointly by organisations proposing to work in partnership on a North and South basis and will encourage groups to design their own future by putting forward initiatives that show innovation and creativity in addressing the challenges they face. It also encourages groups to lead on designing the project and its funding requirements. 

 

Adult Literacy for Life Webinar on Fund  

The Adult Literacy for Life National Programme Office will hold a webinar on the 2025 Collaboration and Innovation Fund.  
The webinar will take place on Thursday 16 January 11am-12pm and will cover; 
• the purpose of the fund, 
• the 2025 guidelines, and the application process. 

Public Consultation on Generational Renewal in Farming

The challenge of attracting young people into a career in farming is widely recognised, both at national and EU level.  The family farm is the heart of agriculture in Ireland, but with only 7% of farmers under 35 years of age, and over 30% of farmers over 65, it is imperative that facilitating Generational Renewal remains a key priority.

 

Your views are welcome on Generational Renewal in Farming and it is suggested you address the following questions specifically, along with any other comments or suggestions in this regard:

 

1. What do you feel are the key issues behind the aging farming sector?

 

2. With just 7% of farmers in Ireland under 35, what can be done to encourage more young people into agriculture?

 

3. A third of all farmers in Ireland are over 65. What can be done to assist those older farmers to engage with succession and generational renewal?

 

4. There are a range of supports currently available to support generational renewal, including measures under the current CAP Strategic Plan, a suite of taxation measures, education & training, and access to finance measures (see appendix 1 for a summary).

 

• What do you think of the current measures for supporting and promoting generational renewal?

 

• Are there any additional initiatives that could be undertaken, or could the current supports be improved?

 

Deadline: 31st January

Corncrake LIFE Interim Community & Professionals Survey

This survey is open to anyone with an interest in the Corncrake LIFE project, or with wider experience of conservation and / or environment. 

 

All community groups are invited to complete this survey.

 

Deadline: 31st January

Carrick-on-Shannon Joint Local Area Plan

Proposed Material Alterations to the Draft Carrick-on-Shannon Joint Local Area Plan 2025-2031 – Are Now on Public Display at the Planning Offices of Roscommon and Leitrim County Council or on the link below.

 

Submissions from interested parties in relation to the Proposed Material Alterations must be made before 4 p.m. on Friday 7th February 2025.

 

Submissions/observations can be submitted online below or in writing to:

 

Forward Planning, Planning Department, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

 

or

 

Forward Planning, Planning Department, Leitrim County Council, Áras an Chontae, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.

 

(Late submissions, e-mail or faxed submissions cannot be considered)

 

Deadline: 7th February

Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) accreditation information session

Wed, 5 Feb 2025 14:00 - 15:30 - Online 

Executive leaders in non-profit organisations increasingly understand that volunteers can be a critical resource for delivering on a mission. Effective people management is imperative – whether they be paid or unpaid. As a result, employers expect that those individuals tasked with mobilising and coordinating volunteer engagement demonstrate a thorough knowledge of effective practices and an understanding of how to apply that knowledge in support of real-world organisational priorities.

Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) is an international professional certification in the field of volunteer resources management. In this session you will learn about the CCVA, why certification may be right for you, how the exam is created, and what the application, preparation, and certification process is.

WeAct Communications Training Library

We Act is a campaign to celebrate the community and voluntary sector in Ireland, and a major strand of the campaign is equipping staff and volunteers to tell the stories behind the work they do, and the impact is has.

We Act has been running communications training over the last three years, and now have a library of brilliant webinars filled with practical tools and relevant insights from leading experts in media, marketing and content production.  Topics cover everything from developing social media content or pitching stories to press, to making videos or using AI to streamline your comms.

 

Low Cost E-Learning Courses

Want to start off the New Year learning at your own pace?  
Carmichael offers a range of e-Learning courses starting from €30, with 30 days - 12 months time limits to complete, so you can learn when it suits you.
Such as; 

• GDPR
• How to Take Meeting Minutes
• Risk Management
• Board Member Induction
• Financial Management for Non Profits

Safe to Create Training Opportunities

Boards and leaders of arts and creative organisations have a particular role to play in championing the importance of these resources and training programmes on an ongoing basis for everyone they employ no matter what their role, whether full-time, part-time, short-term, or freelance.

 

Safe to Create have training programmes developed specifically for the sector to address dignity at work issues, including

• Tackling Bullying and Harassment,
• Addressing Unconscious Bias,
• Bystander Training,
• Intimacy Coordination and many other training opportunities.

Training programmes will continue to be developed and rolled out over the course of the Safe to Create programme "2022 to 2025."

Webinar: Making an Impact in Local Policy Creation -
Introduction to Strategic Policy Committee

Each City & County Council uses Strategic Policy Committees to review, create ad inform policy decisions in their City or County. 

Let's Talk About Suicide

Let's Talk About Suicide is a free, online, suicide prevention training programme that can help you to keep others safe from suicide.  You can learn how to identify people might be at risk of suicide, confidently ask them about it, and connect them with resources to help them stay safe. 

Let's Talk About Suicide is suitable for anyone over the age of 18 years old, who wants to learn basic suicide prevention skills.

 

It is recommended that anyone recently bereaved, wait at least 12 months before completing this programme.  

Christmas Tree Recycling

Available at Mohill and Manorhamilton Civic Amenity Sites

 

Friday: 17th, 24th and 31st January 2025

Saturday: 18th, and 25th January 2025

Literature Bursary Award Information Clinic

The Arts Council has announced information clinics ahead of the 2025 Literature Bursary Award application deadline.

 

The award supports writers, comic book artists, and children’s picture book creators working in Irish or English. Applications must be submitted by 5:30 pm on Thursday, 13 February 2025.

 

The information clinics will be held online via Zoom.

The English-language session is scheduled for Wednesday, 29 January at 12:30, while the Irish-language session will take place on Thursday, 30 January at 12:30.

Each clinic will include a presentation by the Arts Council’s Literature Team, followed by a question-and-answer session.

SEC Webinar: Understanding the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme

SRESS lunchtime webinar Friday 24th January: 

With the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) set to open for applications on 27 January 2025, join SEAI and consultants Rory Mullan, MullanGrid and Tom Bruton, BioXL, for this informative webinar, overviewing the newly published terms & conditions, with a focus on community-led projects.

 

SRESS is a renewable electricity support scheme tailored for community, farm, and SME projects with capacities between 50kW and 6MW.

 

With the scheme set to open for applications on 27 January 2025, this webinar will provide an overview of the final terms and conditions of SRESS with a focus on community-led export projects. Mullan Grid will also provide an update on grid connection policy for community projects.

New survey findings show large majority of young people in Ireland are anxious about climate change

Almost three out of four young people aged 14-29 in Ireland (73 per cent) are anxious when thinking about climate change, while one out of three are feeling hopeful regarding climate action. That’s according to newly released interim findings from the 2024 Youth Climate Justice Survey.

Game Changer project launched by Ruhama, GAA and White Ribbon Ireland

Game Changer is a new project aimed at raising awareness and action through sport to tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV). 

Game Changer is a partnership between Ruhama, the GAA, and White Ribbon Ireland, supported by the LGFA and Camogie Associations.  The project is a strategic response to deliver on the goals of the Government’s Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) with funding from the Government of Ireland, led by Cuan under the aegis of the Department of Justice.

 

The three-year project will deliver a number of initiatives and will seek to harness the power of Gaelic Games to: 

• Challenge the societal culture of sexual violence, including sharing of pornography, intimate image abuse and sexual exploitation.
• Encourage behaviours that support values of gender equality and respect; and build confidence, opportunity and ‘sense of place’ for women and girls.
• Encourage men and boys to engage in active allyship to eradicate gender-based violence in our society.
• Support the challenging and disclosure of abusive behaviours.
• Raise awareness of the harms and consequences of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Impact of Childhood Poverty Experiences on Adult Life

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) "Module on the Impact of Childhood Poverty Experiences on Adult Life 2023", shedding light on how financial hardships during adolescence can influence various aspects of adult life.

Recycle E-Waste

Did you know that all household electronic, battery and lighting waste are free to recycle?  When you recycle e-waste, you’re not just preventing it going to landfill stopping harmful substances damaging our environment. You’re also giving these redundant items new life because anything with a plug, battery or circuit board contains valuable components which can be used again in manufacturing.  Contributing to more sustainable, circular economy.

 

*Batteries: You can recycle your waste batteries for free at your local shop, supermarket, local recycling centre or wherever you see a Blue Battery Box!*

Bank Holidays in Ireland 2025

Ireland has several bank holidays throughout the year, during which banks and many businesses are closed.

 

• Wednesday, January 1 - New Year's Day
  
• Monday, February 3 - St Brigid's Day
  
• Monday, March 17 - Saint Patrick's Day
  
• Monday, April 21 - Easter Monday
  
• Monday, May 5 - May Day
  
• Monday, June 2 - June Bank Holiday
  
• Monday, August 4 - August Bank Holiday
  
• Monday, October 27 - October Bank Holiday
  
• Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day
  
• Friday, December 26 - St Stephen's Day

Welcome to THE charger!

USB-C is officially the common standard for charging electronic devices in the EU.

 

This means:

• The same charger for all new phones, tablets and cameras
• Harmonised fast-charging technology
• Reduced e-waste
• No more “Sorry, I don’t have the right cable”

One charger to rule them all.

EirGrid Energy Citizens Roadshows in Leitrim

EirGrid has been tasked with transforming the grid to meet the Government target of up to 80% of electricity consumption coming from renewable sources by 2030.

 

With this in mind, EirGrid developed the ‘Shaping Our Electricity Future’ roadmap in 2021. 

 

The event will take place on the 11th February at The Landmark Hotel in Carrick on Shannon from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. The event is made up of two distinct sections:

 

An exhibition space: At previous events, they have had a range of exhibitors including one-stop-shops, energy-upgrade suppliers, e-bike suppliers, local authorities, green energy loan suppliers, local development companies, public participation networks, the IFA, wind project developers, ESB Networks and SEAI among others.

 

Panel discussion: This consists of a panel made up of EirGrid, SEAI, ESB Networks and a local panellist, who will answer questions from a local MC and the audience.

 

EirGrid generally discusses the future electricity transmission grid needs in the region.

SEAI discuss high level home energy upgrades, sustainable energy communities and business upgrades.

ESB Networks discusses their National Network Local Connections programme and microgeneration opportunities in particular.