PPN NEWSLETTER
1st march 2025
|
|
|
To submit news & info to PPN:
Email ppn@galwaycoco.ie & write "PPN Newsletter" in the subject.
News Submissions Deadline: One Week Before Each Newsletter Issue (1st of each month)
What to Submit: approx. 50 words, contact info, link to read more, (optional) poster in png/jpg format.
News must be relevant to PPN Members / Community Groups / Non-Profits in County Galway.
|
PPN News
Council & Government News
Consultations & Public Engagement
Funding & Grants
Training & Development
An Cúinne Gaeilge (Irish Corner)
Supports & Resources
Notice Board / Events
|
|
|
Vincent Lyons, Dan Dowling, Jarlath P. Canney photographed at the Galway County Public Participation Network "PPN Plenary Winter Event" on 19th November 2024 at the Connemara Coast Hotel in Furbo.
Long Service Awards were presented to PPN Secretariat by Jacqueline Carroll, Director of Service, Rural, Community Development, Integration and Environment of Galway County Council.
The three volunteers served a ten year term on the PPN Secretariat Advisory Body, while also serving their Local Communities for many years. Galway County PPN would like sincerely thank them for their dedication.
|
|
|
Public Participation Networks National Annual Report 2023
|
Public Participation Networks Roadmap
|
|
|
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Public Participation Networks latest news - read more HERE.
An updated edition of a resource guide aimed at ensuring that marginalised and disadvantaged communities have opportunities to participate in local planning and decision-making has been launched.
'A Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making'
Read more HERE. Digital Version of the Guide is HERE.
|
|
|
Council & Government News
|
|
|
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL NEWS
|
Galway County Council wins National LAMA Award!!
|
Fish and Chips – sustainably!’ has won the ‘Best Environmental/Ecological Project’ in the LAMA (Local Authority Members Association) Community & Council Awards, which were announced at a gala awards ceremony held in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork on Saturday 22nd of February 2025.
Nominated by Galway County Council, the outreach project adopted a multidisciplinary approach to cultivate and actively engage with enterprises, communities, voluntary sectors, third level institutes and the research community. For more info, please visit: https://lamaawards.ie/
|
School Anti-Litter Poster Competition
|
|
|
Closing date: Friday 7th March 2025 before 4:00pm
Galway County Council is inviting students within its functional area to participate in an Anti-Litter Poster competition as part of Galway County Council’s 2025 Anti-Litter Programme.
Please forward posters by post or deliver to Galway County Council, Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway
H91H6KX before 4pm marked “F.A.O. Mark Molloy, Poster Competition”.
|
Affordable Housing Scheme
Scéim Tithíochta Inacmhainne
|
|
|
Applications open from Monday 24th February at 10:00am until Monday 17th March 2025 at 5:00pm.
Tá iarratais ar oscailt ón Luan 24 Feabhra ag 10:00am go dtí Dé Luain 17 Márta 2025 ag 5:00pm.
|
|
|
CIBUS Regional Stakeholder Meeting
|
Wednesday, 26 March 2025 09.30am – 12.30pm - BIA Innovator Campus, Mellows Campus, Athenry
|
This meeting is your opportunity to:
• Engage with thought leaders and innovators in the field. • Learn about cutting-edge solutions and regional success stories. • Collaborate with others committed to reducing food waste and promoting circular economy principles. • Be part of shaping the future of sustainable food systems.
Register here: https://ow.ly/YSLp50UJABP
|
|
|
The WEEE Ireland Schools Battery Recycling Competition 2024-2025
|
Closing date: Friday 11th April 2025
|
The WEEE Ireland Schools Battery Recycling Competition is open for entries from 30th September 2024 to 11th April 2025 and is open to all primary and secondary schools in Co. Galway that collect at least 10 5kg Battery Boxes. See WEEE Ireland Schools Battery Recycling Competition for full details.
|
|
|
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS NEWS
|
|
|
Consultations & Public Engagement
|
|
|
LOCAL CONSULTATIONS & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
|
Age Friendly Galway Survey
|
Closing Date is: Friday 7th March 2025 / Dé hAoine 7 Márta 2025
Are you age 55+ and living in Galway? If so, we want to hear your views on how to ensure Galway is a great place for older adults to live. Your feedback and insights will help us to identify funding priorities and projects across a broad range of areas which impact quality of life for older people, including transport, housing, outdoor spaces, social participation, community supports and health services.
The survey can be accessed at the following link - https://ow.ly/nkOg50V2OJs
An bhfuil tú 55+ agus i do chónaí i nGaillimh? Más ea, ba mhaith linn do thuairimí a chloisteáil maidir le conas a chinntiú gur áit iontach í Gaillimh do dhaoine fásta breacaosta. Cabhróidh d'aiseolas agus do chuid léargais linn tosaíochtaí agus tionscadail mhaoinithe a aithint thar raon leathan réimsí a mbíonn tionchar acu ar chaighdeán saoil do dhaoine aosta, lena n-áirítear iompar, tithíocht, spásanna lasmuigh, rannpháirtíocht shóisialta, tacaíochtaí pobail agus seirbhísí sláinte.
Is féidir teacht air ag an nasc ag - https://ow.ly/nkOg50V2OJs
|
Galway City & Metropolitan Area Joint Retail Strategy
|
Closing date is: Friday 7th March 2025.
KPMG Future Analytics, in collaboration with Galway City and County Councils are preparing a Joint Retail Strategy for the City and Metropolitan Areas that will shape and guide future retail development for the City and MASP Area. As part of the Strategy we are hoping to hold an online consultation / workshop(s) with key stakeholders to get your views on retailing in the City and County in terms of challenges and opportunities. Please register your interest in taking part in the consultation by emailing alan.crawford@kpmg.ie by Friday 7th March 2025.
|
|
|
More Consultations from Galway County Council HERE
|
NATIONAL CONSULTATIONS & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
|
Education and Public Engagement Strategy
Straitéis Oideachais agus Rannpháirtíocht an Phobail
|
The closing date is Monday 24th March 2025 at 11:59pm.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission, is preparing a Strategy to try and encourage people to get more involved with our democratic process. Do you have a brilliant or simple idea as to how we can help people to become more engaged with our democratic system? We want to hear from you. To inform the development of An Coimisiún’s Education and Public Engagement Strategy, please make a submission at: https://www.electoralcommission.ie/consultation/
Is é Dé Luain an 24 Márta 2025 an spriocdháta le haghaidh aighneachtaí ag 11:59 i.n.
Tá Straitéis Oideachais agus Rannpháirtíochta Poiblí á hullmhú ag an gCoimisiún Toghcháin faoi láthair chun daoine a spreagadh le páirt a ghlacadh sa phróiseas daonlathach. Tá an Coimisiún Toghcháin ag iarraidh ort aighneacht a dhéanamh chun bonn eolais a chur ar fáil faoin straitéis ag: www.electoralcommission.ie/consultation
|
Public Consultation on the timetable and work programme for
Ireland’s fourth-cycle Water Action Plan 2028 – 2033
|
The closing date for submissions is Friday 25 July 2025 at 5:00pm
|
Explore Your Shore! Surveys
|
|
|
The purpose of the study is to carry out an independent evaluation of the socio-economic impacts of the Corncrake LIFE Project. We invite all community groups to complete this questionnaire: https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/CG6W2N6
|
|
BirdWatch Ireland are looking for your sightings as part of a citizen science project.
By providing information, you are playing an important role in the conservation of the Biodiversity of County Galway.
Log your sightings HERE
|
|
|
|
Survey: Help Improve EU Grant Applications
|
Want to make EU funding more accessible and easier to manage with better tools and processes?
Fill out this short survey and share your feedback! Your insights will help refine and improve the tools and processes for EU Grant applications. By sharing your thoughts, you’ll contribute to future improvements that will make EU funding simpler and more accessible for everyone. Fill out the survey now!
|
Youth Climate Justice Survey 2024
|
Your responses will help us inform relevant stakeholders at a National and local level about young people's priorities on climate change and climate justice, together with shaping our future work as an organisation.
At the end of the survey you will have the possibility to enter a draw for a prize by submitting your email address. Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3PT8X6W
|
More Consultations from Government HERE
|
|
|
Galway County PPN only share information about Funding and Grants,
and does NOT administer them.
If you have any queries please contact the funding administrator directly
via the details provided in the advert.
|
|
|
If you need to know your Organisation's PPN Registration Number to apply for funding and grants, (this is a requirement for some Local Authority funding) here is how you find it:
♦ Go to Members Directory on PPN website https://www.galwaycountyppn.ie/members-directory/
♦ Type your group name into ‘Organisation Name’ box
♦ Find your Group (name must be exact match)
♦ Click ‘More’ to see your PPN registration number.
|
|
|
Humanitarian Assistance Scheme
|
European Cooperation Projects Capacity Building Webinar
|
Webinar on Thursdays 6th March 2025 – 11:00am - 12.30pm via ZOOM
Deadline for applications is 13th May 2025 at 4pm Irish time
Are you an Irish arts or civil society organisation preparing to apply to Creative Europe under the Cooperation Projects call 2025? Come along to our Capacity Building webinar on Thursday 6th March 2025, 11am -12.30pm. Our webinar will help you learn more about how to develop your application and building Effective Communication and Dissemination Strategies. Register for webinar
|
ESB Wind Farm Community Funds 2025
|
Deadline for applications is 7th March 2025
The fund is available to community and voluntary groups, non-profit groups or organisations with a charitable status. Applications may be made online at www.communitybenefitfunds.ie, please ensure you take some time to read the Fund Guidelines, prior to submitting you application.
For a full list of Wind Farm Community Funds included in this call, please click here.
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact SECAD:
Tel: 021 – 461 3432 Email: info@secad.ie Website: www.secad.ie
|
Traditional Farm buildings Grant Scheme 2025
|
|
|
Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2025
|
|
|
Deadline for applications is 14th March 2025 at 11.30pm
This scheme is intended to enable communities and heritage non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to continue their work on existing projects or to start new initiatives.
You must apply through The Heritage Council’s online grants system.
Please note that a new Online Grants System was introduced in 2024. If you did not register on the system in 2024 you will have to register first before you can start your application: Online Grants System Instructions
Contact: grants@heritagecouncil.i
|
Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
|
Deadline for applications is Friday 14th March 2025
The fund supports coordinated and integrated projects between Government departments, State agencies, Local Authorities, other public bodies, communities and, where appropriate, philanthropic funders and/or the private sector, which will have an impact on sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.
Proposals are invited from Local Authorities, and other locally/regionally based organisations, such as Local Development Companies, as well as government departments and State agencies. More info HERE
|
Entrepreneurship Impact Fund – Strand 3: Minority Entrepreneurship Fund
|
Deadline for applications is Friday 21st March 2025 at 1pm
The Entrepreneurship Impact Fund’s Strand 3 is a unique opportunity for 5 minority-led social enterprises, taking an entrepreneurial approach to social change, to get support to deliver sustained individual and collective solutions across communities over a three year period and beyond. For the purpose of this fund, the focus will be on supporting social enterprises led by ethnic minorities, migrants and refugees.
Please join the application clinic to find out more: Wednesday 5th of March 2025 at 2.30pm: Register
For more information, please visit: https://rethinkireland.ie/current_fund/entrepreneurship-impact-fund-strand-3/
|
Adopt a Monument / Uchtaigh Séadchomhartha
|
|
|
Deadline for applications is Friday 21st of March 2025 at 5:00pm
Is é an spriocdháta le haghaidh iarratas: Dé hAoine, an 21 Márta ag 5:00pm
The Adopt A Monument Programme offers communities support, mentoring, and guidance in caring for and celebrating local monuments. The programme is now open for applications from community groups.
See https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/projects/aam
Soláthrófar saineolas, meantóireacht, tacaíocht agus líonra sa scéim Glac le Séadchomhartha chun cabhrú leis an séadchomhartha a chaomhnú agus a chosaint do na glúnta amach anseo.
https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/ga/projects/adopt-a-monument
|
Brighter Futures Fund 2025-2028
|
Deadline for applications is Monday 24th March 2025
The Brighter Futures Fund is a three-year fund aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing for marginalised groups in Ireland. We invite applications from projects and organisations that proactively identify mental health challenges within marginalised communities, enabling early intervention that can prevent the escalation of these issues.
Please join the application clinic to find out more: Wednesday, 5 March 2025 at 11:00am: Register
Form more information, please visit: Brighter Futures Fund 2025-2028 – Rethink Ireland
|
Connected Communities Fund 2025-2028
|
Deadline for applications is Friday 11th April 2025 at 1:00pm
The Connected Communities Fund is a three-year fund that aims to build inclusive and resilient communities and strengthen social cohesion across Ireland. The fund aims to promote equity and inclusion, encourage media literacy and community awareness initiatives, and empower communities to develop meaningful connections across diverse groups. Please join the application clinics to find out more:
Thursday, 6th March at 1pm: Register Thursday, 20th March at 1pm: Register
For more information, please visit:https://rethinkireland.ie/current_fund/connected-communities-fund-2025-2028/
|
|
|
SEAI - Home energy upgrade for traditional homes - Pilot Grant Scheme
|
SEAI has recently launched a pilot grant scheme for the energy upgrading of traditional houses.
The pilot will provide tailored solutions for your traditional home and the upgrade options include all the technologies available to modern homes; roof insulation, wall insulation, floor insulation, windows & doors, ventilation, renewable heating (heat pumps), solar thermal, solar PV. See more info HERE
|
VISION SPORTS IRELAND ASSOCIATE CLUB FUNDING
|
Our Associate Club Programme is designed to support clubs and organisations that promote and facilitate sports for individuals with vision impairments. More info can be found HERE
|
Housing Adaptation Grant & Housing Aid for Older People
|
Changes to some housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability came in on 1 December 2024!
There were increases to: ♦ How much you can get ♦ The income limits to qualify ♦ Some of the income not considered in the means tests
These changes apply to the: ♦ Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability ♦ Mobility Aids Grant Scheme ♦ Housing Aid for Older People Grant
Find out more about these upcoming changes https://bit.ly/HousingAdaptationGrantChanges
|
Apply through the Galway County Council for these grants:
Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability is a grant for people with a physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability. It provides funding so you can improve how you enter and move around your home. Read More HERE
Housing Aid for Older People - Read more HERE
|
|
|
More Funding from
Galway County Council
|
|
More Funding from the
Government of Ireland
|
|
|
More Funding from the European Union
|
|
|
Real Talk: Disabled People, By Disabled People
|
Real change starts with real conversations. Join ILMI for a powerful series of discussions led by disabled people, for disabled people. Register now by emailing info@ilmi.ie.
Session 1: Peer Power – What’s In It for Me? Tuesday 4th March 12 noon via Zoom
Session 2: Smashing Barriers – Why Is It So Hard to Get Support? Tuesday 11th March 12 noon via Zoom
Session 3: Activism – A Buzzword or Real Power? Tuesday 18th March 12 noon via Zoom
Session 4: Keeping the Fire Lit – How Do We Keep Going? Tuesday 25th March 12 noon via Zoom
Session 5: Your Local DPO – Why It Matters & How to Get Involved Tuesday 1st April 12 noon via Zoom
|
The Arts Council " Agility Award" Workshop
|
Women’s Health and Wellness Programme
|
Thursdays from 11:00am-1:00pm on 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th March, and 3rd April 2025
Join the 5-week Women’s Health and Wellness Programme with expert guest speakers!
Live virtual events at Oifigí Comhar Caomhán, Inis Oírr; Inishbofin Community Centre, Inishbofin; Oifigí Comharchumann Forbartha Árann, Inis Mór; Oifigí Comhlacht Forbartha, Inis Meáin; and Screebe House, Rosmuc.
|
|
|
Tuesday 11th March 2025 at 11:30am - Ballinasloe Library
Interactive talk on the benefits of sustainable fashion from Circular Dress Collaborative.
|
Grant Writing Tips and Tricks
|
Friday 21th March 2025 – 10:00am to 11:30am - Online via Zoom - Free members-only event
|
The Wheel Members - Training
|
Community Groups can sign up with The Wheel to access their free training/services.
Information on Trainings available at https://www.wheel.ie/training
|
The Department of Rural and Community Development (responsible for the PPN) provides training resources for PPNs.
Check out slides on Strategic Planning HERE
|
PPN Stakeholders Training
|
The online only self-paced training videos programme for PPN stakeholders is provided by Social Justice Ireland on behalf of the Department and is intended for self-directed learning at the learner’s own pace. Social Justice Ireland will provide some support via the webform on each Module page. There are no scheduled classes as part of this training. To register, please complete the Registration Form at the following link: Ireland https://www.socialjustice.ie/register/register-training
|
|
|
The online only training covers the
following:
- An Introduction to the PPNs (2 Modules)
- Local Government Budgets
- PPNs and Local Government
- Effective Participation in Consultations
- Effective Facilitation
- Strategic Planning
- Measuring Outcomes and Impacts
|
|
This training is available to the following PPN Stakeholders:
- PPN Workers
- PPN Secretariat Members
- PPN Representatives
- PPN Member Groups
- Local Authority Staff
- Elected Councillors
|
|
|
Seisiún Eolais Ealaín na Gaeltachta I Ráth Chairn
|
31 Mhí an Mhárta 2025 at 7:00i.n.
An ealaíontóir tú atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht?
An mbíonn tú ag gabháil do ghníomhaíocht a bhaineann le healaín a chruthú, na healaíona a chleachtadh, agus/nó ealaín a léiriú ag baint úsáid as samhlaíocht chruthaitheach?
Nú an grúpa deonach nó Féile pobail thú a dteastaíonn maoiniú chun tionscadail chruthaitheacha a reáchtáil?
Tugtar cuireadh duit freastal ar sheisiún eolais linn chun ár scéimeanna maoinithe a phléigh.
Tuilleadh eolais: Ceara Conway: c.conway@udaras.ie
|
|
|
BAILIÚCHÁIN SOGHLUAISTE WEEE
(ÁBHAR LEICTREACH AGUS LEICTREONACH) 2024
|
|
|
Guide to Supports for People with Disabilities
Treoir maidir le Tacaíochtaí do Dhaoine faoi Mhíchumas
|
|
|
Galway Rural Development (GRD) has produced this booklet to provide information, guidance and advice on services and supports for children, young people and adults with disabilities in Co. Galway. More info HERE
Treoir maidir le Tacaíochtaí do Dhaoine faoi MhíchumasTá sraith leabhrán acmhainní curtha le chéile ag Forbairt Tuaithe na Gaillimhe agus tá súil againn go mbeidh tú úsáideach. Cliceáil ANSEO
|
|
|
Start your journey towards independent living! This website is a tool for you to find the information on housing and supports you need to access independent living. Find more information on Home & Supports Hub HERE
|
|
|
GALWAY COUNTY AGE FRIENDLY PROGRAMME
|
Age Friendly Galway County is delivered by Galway County Council and works to improve the services and facilities that our older people have identified as being important to them, and the wider community, as they live healthy and active lives. More info on Age Friendly Galway County HERE
|
Ombudsman Monthly Complaints Clinic in Galway
|
|
|
OTHER ORGANISATION'S NEWSLETTERS:
|
Irish Environmental Network HERE
|
Health and Wellbeing Newsletter HERE
|
Community and Disability Newsletter - Issue HERE
|
Age Friendly Newsletter HERE
|
ALONE is a national organisation that enables older people to age at home.
To read the latest newsletter from Alone, just click the link below and click in the top corner of the Newsletter to change the page... to read click HERE
Link to Alone website here: https://alone.ie/
|
Directory of Services for Older People
|
|
|
Irish Astronomy Week runs from the Saturday 1st to Saturday 8th of March 2025. Join us as we celebrate ‘our place among the stars’ with 7 events in the libraries across Galway City and County.
Free but booking is required for some events. Please contact the relevant branch to find out more.
|
Adult Learners’ Festival 2025
|
From Monday 3rd to Friday 7th March 2025
This year's Adult Learners’ Festival theme focuses on "Connecting Communities."
For more information please visit https://www.adultlearnersfestival.ie/
|
Moylough Heritage Society
|
Saturday 8th March 2025 at 8pm
Moylough Heritage Talk "St Brigit: forging an early medieval saint’’ will be held in Moylough Hall.
|
Saturday 8th March 2025 at 8pm
Shaskeen move to Ballinderreen Community Centre (H91 TC65). Deirdre Scanlan, renowned Folk Singer has joined Shaskeen for their Emerald55 Tour. A great night of music & song is assured!
|
CELT Tree Foraging walk and talk
|
National Tree Week - 'Planting Trees, Growing Together'
|
From Sunday 9th March to Sunday 16th March 2025
National Tree Week, Ireland’s largest annual tree celebration, is proudly organised by the Tree Council of Ireland in partnership with Coillte. To support this initiative, Coillte is supplying sapling trees to County Councils for distribution to communities nationwide. For more information, please visit: https://www.nationaltreeweek.ie/
|
Western Family History Association
|
Wednesdays 12th March 2025 at 8:00pm Lackagh Parish Centre, Turloughmore, Co. Galway
|
Western Family History Association, with support from Galway County Council invites you to Lackagh Parish Centre for their next talk: Census of Ireland records in the Virtual Treasury of Ireland.
|
Deadline is Wednesday 19th March 2025
|
|
|
Best wishes from the PPN Team!
|
|
|
Follow us on Social Media for the latest updates - click the round buttons below !
|
"The primary purpose of the PPN is to enable the PPN member groups to input into and have their voices heard within the formal decision-making structures of the local authority.
The PPN is now the main way that local authorities connect with groups active in their area".
(PPN Handbook, 2020)
|
- Facilitates the participation and representation of communities.
-
Strengthens the capacity of community groups.
-
Provides information relevant to community & voluntary, environmental & social inclusion Pillars of the PPN.
|
|
|
|
