Drumshanbo at Dusk

Leitrim PPN attended National PPN event in Portlaoise on Thurs 17th July

Delegates from the 31 PPN's across Ireland joined in Laois for a National PPN Event: “Building Community Resilience for Times of Emergency".

PPN's across Ireland have played an integral role during times of emergency such as Storms, Outages, Flooding, Fires, Pandemics etc.  In getting information out to the community.  This event was an opportunity to network, share knowledge and best practice, and start the conversation on the role(s) PPN's can play.

Leitrim PPN were part of the organising committee with Laois & Tipperary Public Participation Network.   

 

Very engaging workshops on 6 different themes.

COMMUNICATION, MAPPING OF COMMUNITY SUPPORTS FOR TIMES OF EMERGENCY, BEST PRACTICES,CHALLENGES, COLLABORATION, FUTURE PLANNING.

 

Full report will be circulated to all member groups, Leitrim County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

 

Images taken by photographer Denis Byrne.

PPN Nominations

Leitrim PPN are seeking nominations from PPN member groups for 3 Representative Seats on the Secretariat of Leitrim PPN (Board)

• Environmental Seat
• Carrick on Shannon MD Area
• Community & Voluntary Seat

The PPN Secretariat act as the PPN's effective 'Board' and oversight committee.  The Secretariat implement the decisions voted on by the Plenary (all member groups). The Secretariat is made up of 9 members; 2 from Social Inclusion Pillar, 2 from Environmental Pillar, 2 from Community and Voluntary Pillar and 1 from each Municipal District area; Ballinamore, Manorhamilton and Carrick-on-Shannon. Meetings take place approx. every two months, online and will include 2 in- person meetings.

The Secretariat works in a “Flat Structure“.  One key feature of this is that all Secretariat Members should have an opportunity to serve as “Rotating Facilitator”.

You will receive training and support.

 

Leitrim PPN are seeking nominations from PPN member groups for an Environment Rep on the Social Inclusion, Equality and Community, (SEC) Monitoring Sub-Committee

The role of this sub-committee is to advise and assist the LCDC in the performance of its functions, including making recommendations on courses of actions or decisions to be taken by the LCDC.  The SEC comprised of members of the LCDC and external agencies as agreed by the LCDC to carry out work on its behalf and report to the LCDC under three main areas.

SICAP, Equality Promotion and Social Inclusion Role & LECP Implementation

Commitment – 3 online meetings per year.

 

Closing date for nominations: Wed 13th Aug

PPN Pre-Budget Submission

Well done to Kildare PPN who were invited to Leinster house by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development to discuss the details of the Pre-Budget Submission, which included:

• Enhanced support and resources to support PPN Representatives
• Additional staffing support and alignment of grades
• Increased core funding to support our member groups
• Request for a multi-annual funding model

This was a valuable opportunity to advocate for the sustainable resourcing of PPN's nationwide as part of Budget 2026.

 

Well done to Grainne from Kildare PPN who was joined by Siobhan from County Longford PPN on shining a light on the shared challenges and strengths of PPN's across the country.

Secretariat Meeting

Secretariat Meeting Tuesday 5th August 4pm on zoom.

Do you know who your local PPN Rep is who sits on the Strategic Policy Committees in Leitrim County Council

Stakeholder Consultation on the development of a new strategy to support the Community and Voluntary Sector

Leitrim PPN is looking for YOUR input

This consultation will give organisations across the community and voluntary sector an opportunity to contribute to the new strategy.  

Letters were circulated to a sample of groups last week, please fill out and return in envelopes supplied ASAP so Leitrim PPN can collate as a collective and return to DRCDG by their deadline below.

 

The announcement to develop a new whole-of-government strategy acknowledges the important role played by the community and voluntary sector in Ireland.  It will reinforce the progress made under the current strategy: Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland 2019-2024, which was extended into 2025.

 

The new strategy will look to build upon the structures, achievements and objectives of Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities for the upcoming period 2026 – 2030.  The development process itself will be rooted in the agreed set of values and principles for collaboration and partnership working with the community and voluntary sector at national and local level.  These provide for foundation for all consultation, collaboration and partnership working between the community and voluntary sector and central and local government.

 

Deadline: 15th August

Public Participation Network - Local Democracy Taskforce Stakeholder Engagement

As part of the Programme for Government the Local Democracy Taskforce was established. The Taskforce is engaging in a targeted stakeholder consultation process and the Public Participation Network was identified as an important stakeholder.

 

Please see below a letter on the Local Democracy Taskforce Targeted Stakeholder Consultation Process and the List of Stakeholder Questions.

 

Please forward your input by email to localgovernmenttaskforce@housing.gov.ie

 

Deadline: 22nd August

Leitrim PPN Member Spotlight
Carrigallen Tidy Towns

Their Moto is to continue to make Carrigallen a Tidy and Clean place with pride, a place of beauty, a place which encourages visitors and indeed people who are driving through, to want to stop and stay a while.  They continue to encourage more volunteers to join their committee and help make their community a better and more beautiful place to live.

 

Heritage Keepers  funded their Carrigallen Heritage Trails signs.

€3.2 million funding to expand domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services

This funding call to services forms part of the delivery of the €67 million provided to Cuan in Budget 2025, which included €7 million in additional funding for new refuge provision, expanded services, and sectoral research.

 

Proposals that include the following focus areas will be particularly welcomed:

• expand adolescent counselling for sexual violence
• improve service access for marginalised or underserved groups
• strengthen helplines and frontline training
• develop prevention work, including perpetrator programmes.

Deadline: 4th August

Pavilion Patron Donation Award 2025

Pavilion Patron Donation Award is a performance-based award to co-commission and co-produce ambitious main stage works, with the intention that these will be fully presented by the end of the award period (September 2027).  Awards of up to a maximum of €30,000 are available for work by established companies, collectives, producers, curators, programmers, venues and festivals.  Proposals are invited from those seeking to develop or produce either new work or revivals of existing work/productions. 

Unique offerings, new collaborations and, ultimately, great art to engage with a wide audience are welcomed. This could also include festival proposals, artists moving into different artforms or interdisciplinary projects.

 

Deadline: 8th August

Charity Heroes Awards 2025

This year’s Benefact Group Charity Heroes Awards are now open for entries.

 

Charity Heroes Awards are designed to celebrate and support the brilliant charities who work tirelessly to make positive change.

Charities simply need to send 250 words on why their charity should win.  Winners in each category will win a /€/£5,000 donation for their charity and runners up will receive a €/£1,000 donation.

 

Deadline: 10th August

Inclusive Arts Fund

The Inclusive Arts Fund is a three-year, €750,000 fund created by Rethink Ireland with support from Tomar Trust, the Drouillard Family Fund (via The Community Foundation of Ireland), and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.  

 

This fund will provide a range of supports to not-for-profit organisations and projects using the arts to drive equality and inclusion for a range of positive outcomes.  

 

Inclusive arts is a flexible practice that ensures equal access to the arts for all marginalised groups, including but not limited to people with disabilities, migrants, refugees, members of LGBTQI+ community, Travellers and the Roma community, members of other minority groups and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.

 

Deadline: 14th August

Energy For Generations Fund

The Energy for Generations Fund sees over €1 million per year disbursed across a range of community and issues-based initiatives through a bi-annual fund to charities working in the areas of social inclusion relating to access to education as well as access to employment, and homelessness.  

 

The aim of the fund is to maximise the impact of their social investment in disadvantaged communities, by taking a more strategic approach to effect sustainable change aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's).

 

Deadline: 14th August

Climate Communication Fund

Many climate Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) work on complex topics with small budgets, missing out on their potential, outreach, impact and speed. They are caught in a circle. The Climate Communication Fund seeks to break that circle.

 

Climate topics can be hard to understand or easy to ignore.  The Climate Communication Fund seeks to strengthen the communication capacity of climate CSOs. With stronger communication skills and tools, CSOs can improve awareness raising, gain public support, influence decision-makers, build trust with communities, and counter misinformation.

This first round offers communication capacity building grants, worth €10.000.

 

Deadline: 15th August

STREETS Global Awards

The STREETS Global Awards celebrate outstanding early-stage social enterprises and initiatives driving positive social impact through hospitality and tourism.

Open to mission-driven businesses, non-profits, and NGOs in their first 1–5 years, these awards recognize innovation, sustainability, community empowerment, and impact on a global scale.

 

More than just an award, STREETS offers a beneficial application process that helps changemakers strengthen their storytelling, clarify impact, and present transparent financials. Every applicant benefits, whether through recognition, visibility, or valuable feedback to develop their venture.

 

Deadline: 15th August

Rural Action Awards

The Rural Action Awards Scheme, is aimed at supporting rural communities celebrate their own achievements:    

 

Rural community-based organisations in Northern Ireland, or the border region of Ireland have the opportunity to apply for and be in with a chance of securing £1000 or €1000 towards their chosen community project.

 

The scheme is open to constituted rural community-based organisations including charities, not for profit community groups, sporting and cultural organisations, heritage groups, Parent Teacher Associations, youth groups/clubs and social enterprises.

 

4 recipients will be chosen at random for this call.

 

Previous successful Award recipients cannot reapply for 12 months from the date of their last entry.  

 

Deadline: 20th August

€330,000 in funding to support Ireland’s Prevention and Early Intervention programmes for children and young people

€330,000 investment in new measures designed to strengthen prevention and early intervention services for children so every child and young person across Ireland experiencing disadvantage, adversity and trauma has access to timely support.

 

This funding represents a strategic investment in the futures of Ireland’s children.

 

Children and young people growing up with disadvantage, trauma, or exclusion face barriers that can affect their health, learning, and future potential.  But when support comes early and is built on strong evidence it can transform lives.

Grants of up to €30,000 will be made available to community and voluntary sector organisations working with children and young people through a prevention and early intervention approach.

This funding is made available through the What Works initiative, funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund.

 

Deadline: 2025 Enhancing Quality Fund - 22nd August 

Future For Nature Awards 2026

Are you a young person (between 18 to 35 years old) and dedicated nature conservationist committed to protecting wild species?  Do you combine passion with action to create concrete results in nature conservation?  Are you the future of nature?

 

Deadline: 25th August

Ireland Against Racism Fund

Ireland Against Racism Fund is now open to applications from non-government and community organisations.

Up to €1 million will support projects that combat racism and promote racial equality.

 

This fund is a key part of the National Action Plan Against Racism.

 

There are two streams of funding:

Scheme A will provide grants, ranging from €40,000 to €100,000, to organisations for national and regional projects.

Scheme B will provide grants, ranging from €5,000 to €10,000, to organisations for local projects.

 

Deadline: 27th August

Arts Council Strategic Funding 2026

Strategic Funding supports key arts organisations, ensuring their sustainability and capacity to deliver high-quality arts experiences.

It focuses on the delivery of excellent artwork, services, events and activities that provide more people with the opportunity to enjoy high quality arts experiences.

 

Deadline: 4th September

#BeActive EU Sport Awards

The #BeActive EU Sport Awards build on the success of the past #BeActive Awards and #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards.

The objective is to recognise innovative projects that encourage sport and physical activity across Europe.  

They also acknowledge exceptional projects that inspire action and encourage community engagement across the continent.

 

Categories

The competition includes 5 new categories:

•    Physical activity
•    Inclusion
•    Volunteering
•    Across Generations
•    Peace

Budget and prizes

With a substantial budget of €125,000, the awards will be presented to 1 winner and 2 finalists in each category.

The winner will receive €15,000. Each finalist will receive €5,000. 

 

Deadline: 24th September

Heritage Keepers: Round 5

Heritage Keepers is a free national programme open to senior classes (5th and 6th) in primary schools and to community groups that enables you to discover your local built, cultural and natural heritage. Over five 2-hour workshops you will explore the heritage in your local place and then plan a funded action to enhance that place.

Have fun, learn something new, make a difference – become a Heritage Keeper!

 

Deadline: 30th September

European Energy Communities Facility Grant Programme

The European Energy Communities Facility has just launched its first call for proposals.  From now until 30 September, emerging energy communities can apply for a lump sum grant of €45,000 to develop a robust business plan for their project. Moreover, if your application is successful, you will have access to national peer-to-peer exchanges and a capacity-building programme to support you in developing and implementing the business plan. In this call, the Facility will distribute over €3 million among 73 initiatives in total, empowering citizens to drive a fair, democratic and sustainable energy transition.

 

The grant will cover all groundwork needed to prepare a business plan for your energy community: technical and financial assessments, legal and administrative procedures, and other pre-development tasks such as feasibility studies. Preparatory work necessary to structure a sound, viable, and bankable business plan can be covered.   While the main objective of the call is to help emerging energy communities secure the financing required to bring their project to life and professionalise their activities, already established energy communities aiming to explore new services can also apply.

 

Deadline: 30th September

Implementing the Disability Employment Package – Innovative Approaches to Improve Labour Market Outcomes for Persons With Disabilities

This call supports transnational projects under the ESF+ Social Innovation Plus Initiative that aim to transfer or scale up social innovations referenced in the Disability Employment Package.  The goal is to improve the labour market outcomes of persons with disabilities by providing guidance and good practices for employers, employers’ associations, and public authorities, as well as by raising awareness about persons with disabilities and by combating stereotypes.

 

Who can apply: Only consortia are eligible.  

The consortium shall comprise a minimum of three eligible entities established in at least two different eligible countries, of which at least one entity should be a public authority.

Duration: The expected duration of a project is 18-24 months.

Grant amount: The estimated size of a grant is between EUR 500,000 to 1,000,000 per project (but this does not preclude the submission/selection of applications requesting other amounts), constituting not more than 80% of the project’s total budget.  A co-financing of at least 20% must thus come from other resources than the EU budget.

 

Deadline: 30th October

Farm Safety Grant Now Open

Grant aid covering 60% of the eligible cost of up to four Power Take Off (PTO) shaft covers.

Grant aid under the measure is at a rate of 60% subject to a maximum eligible cost of €100 per PTO shaft cover, for up to for four PTO shaft covers.

 

Deadline: 7th November

Community Climate Action Programme

Leitrim County Council on behalf of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment will be opening calls for expressions of interest in Phase 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme.  This Programme is 100% funded and invites climate action projects from community groups across a number of themes including energy, travel, circular economy and other local climate & environment initiatives.   Community Groups can start to consider projects that would bring about meaningful climate action in their organisation.

Leitrim County Council will run a number community information events closer to the call opening, anticipated to be September 2025. 

Consultation to inform

Child Friendly Family Justice Materials

The Department of Justice is currently developing child friendly resources to provide children and young people with information about the family justice process.  To inform the development of these resources, they are consulting children and young people who have experience of family separation/divorce, access/custody arrangements etc.   

 

As you are aware that it can be difficult to reach children and young people during the summer months. To address this, a brief, anonymous questionnaire aimed at gathering practitioners' insights on the types of questions children and young people might have when navigating the family justice system has been created. There is also the option to share examples of resources (weblinks or pdfs)  that provide information on the family justice process (or other aspects of justice or the care system). 

Please share the survey link to services within your networks that provide support to children and families when they are going through parts of the family justice system.

 

Deadline: 1st August

Dry Stone Wall Building weekend with Ronan Crehan Sat/Sunday 2nd & 3rd August 2025 at the Organic Centre, Rossinver

August Craft Month

As part of this year’s August Craft Month celebrations, The Leitrim Design House are thrilled to open the doors to creativity with a pair of fantastic, hands-on workshops for FREE!

 

Make Your Own Upcycled Tote Bag
Thursday 8 August
11am–3pm (4 hours)
All materials and equipment provided
Learn to sew, use templates and transform old textiles into a brilliant new tote bag. Perfect for beginners, this workshop is led by a CycleUp Textiles tutor who’ll guide you step by step. You'll leave with new skills and your own handmade bag.

Willow Bird Feeder Workshop (Ages 8+)
Wednesday 21 August
11am–12.30pm (1.5 hours)
Led by Helena Golden, Willow Woman
A lovely way for children to connect with nature and traditional craft. Using natural

willow, they’ll weave their very own bird feeder to take home, all with expert help in a friendly setting.

Energy Efficiency Training for SMEs

Energy Efficiency Training for SMEs: For any business looking to get started on their Energy Efficiency journey, the Energy Academy is available which provides free, on-demand training on energy management. 'Introduction to Energy Management Training' is a course run by SEAI on a monthly basis.

Animated Sounds at The Dock

The Homemade Cinema project introduces Animated Sounds, a two-week workshop from 12 — 22 August, encouraging teenagers to get involved in animating their very own film-festival worthy project.

 

This workshop invites young creators aged 12 — 16 to transform a variety of mysterious sounds into visual movement using cameras, cut-outs and fun.  The animated music videos will be screened as part of a mini film-festival in The Dock later this year.

 

All art materials are supplied, so only a packed lunch is required.  The course fee for all nine workshops is €45 total – tickets are limited.

Ireland’s Greenest Places

The Irish Times is looking for readers to nominate Ireland's Greenest Places, which they believe deserve to be recognised for their projects – big or small.

• Is your town planting bee-friendly bulbs or native trees?
• Is your suburb encouraging cycling and walking with better cycle paths or pedestrianisation?
• Is your community letting green spaces grow wild or using non-toxic weed solutions?
• Is your village helping younger people to understand the nature around them?

You can nominate a suburb, village, town or community across Ireland’s 32 counties for any of their wide-ranging efforts to improve our environment.

Leitrim Environmental Network presents:
Garden Audit Event

Take a wander with two experienced wildlife guides around a garden in progress, and learn more about habitats and biodiversity.

Saturday, August 16th 2025 · 11am - 2pm

Two experienced members of the Leitrim environmental Network will guide us through a garden where we will look at habitats, shelter and other things that pollinators and wildlife need to thrive.  And maybe you will meet some of the inhabitants.
This is an experience that will hopefully inspire you to enhance your own little place in the world for wildlife.

Spaces limited to 25 spaces with ticket registration below for this FREE event including lunch.

Leitrim Climate Action Week

Leitrim County Council are running a Climate Action Week in alignment with An Taisce between 13 - 19 October 2025.  Leitrim County Council will organise events in association with partners, but are looking for community led climate action events as well, that can be packaged into a wider itinerary across the week. 

If a community group is running an event or considering running an event and would like to brainstorm ideas, please contact Leitrim County Council at climateaction@leitrimcoco.ie

GAA Green Clubs

Phase 3 Registration for GAA Green Clubs is closed.  Notwithstanding that clubs may not be registered for Phase 3, the learning platform is available to all GAA clubs (and contains useful information for all sporting clubs).

 

The GAA Green Club Toolkit is designed to support clubs in implementing simple and effective sustainability actions. 

The Toolkit is divided into five themes - Energy, Water, Waste, Biodiversity and Travel & Transport.  Each toolkit section contains practical advice and guidance tailored for GAA clubs as well as inspiring case studies from clubs from across the island of Ireland. 

WDC Submission on the National Development Plan Review

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has published its submission to the NDP Review, outlining clear, evidence-based recommendations to ensure that Ireland’s Western Region plays a full role in the country’s future growth.

€3.5 billion investment in Ireland's electricity infrastructure

The Government has approved a landmark €3.5 billion investment in Ireland’s electricity grid infrastructure (2026-2030), as part of the National Development Plan. This represents the largest single investment in the country’s electricity network in its history. This transformative investment will strengthen Ireland’s energy security, support economic growth and accelerate our transition to renewable energy.

Moving West Séasúr 4

TG4 and the WDC are now inviting individuals, groups, organisations, and businesses from Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway, and Clare to apply to be featured in 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝟰.

They are especially interested in the stories of movers, those who’ve chosen to build a life here, bringing energy and perspective to our towns and communities.  Whether you're:
• Revitalising your local heritage,
• Leading a community project,
• Driving innovation in a rural enterprise, or
• Building a better future through creativity and collaboration,
Your story matters – and Moving West wants to help tell it. The focus of the series is on people who have moved and become integral parts of their local communities.

 

Great if there was a PPN Member group featured

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apply below

Deadline to apply: Friday 15th August at 5pm