Information on grants and programmes available to community groups

Kilkenny County Enterprise Board Technology Initiative – Tech Check . Is your business using technology in the best way possible? Do you think you could be using technology more effectively to grow your business? If so, Tech Check is for you.

Tech-Check is a new programme where small businesses can access independent expert advice on the most effective use of their existing technology as well as practical suggestions for appropriate development of technology use in their businesses.

A Tech Check Advisor is assigned to participants businesses and will examine existing technology to identify opportunities for improving their business.  This is used to develop a brief action plan based on the best of these opportunities For most businesses, the process can be completed within a day.  This can be split into two half-day sessions. The standard fee is €150.

Contact Des Doyle or Fiona Deegan at Kilkenny County Enterprise Board  (056) 7752662 or email des@kceb.ie or fiona@kceb.ie

Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund 2008 fund promotes sustainable development, by assisting small scale environmental projects at local level which involve partnership arrangements between local authorities and local community groups and environmental NGOs. Further information and application forms are available from Bernadette Maloney, Environmental Awareness Officer. Kilkenny County Council or by logging onto www.kilkennycoco.ie

Eu Prize for Cultural Heritage Awards 2008: There are four main categories: Architectural heritage, Cultural landscapes, works of art and collections of articistic and historic significance, archaeological sites and Industrial and Engineering heritage. For further information go to www.europanostra.org

Heritage Council internship programme has a number of post available for interns, for further information contact hmaguire@heritagecouncile.ie Dr. Hugh Maguire.

National Fundraising Awards. Presented by The Wheel and Fundraising Ireland in association with Vodafonre Ireland Foundation, the awards aim to recognise exceptional achievement in Ireland’s fundraising community. The following awards are available:

The Fundraiser of the Year Awards.

The Best Community Fundraiser Awards

The Fundraising Campaign of the Year Award.

For further information check out www.fundraisingawards.ie.

Supports for Community and Voluntary Groups 2008: Pobal will administer two programmes on behalf of the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs:

Programme 1 : Scheme of Refurbishment grants for community facilities, and Scheme of Equipment Grants. Programme 2: Scheme of Training Grants. Further information on both of these can be got by contacting Joanne at 01 5239049, Helena at 01 2400787 or logging onto the website www.pobal.ie/live/smallgrants. Alternatively a series of information sessions will take place in July onthese, contact the above.

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust : Funding is available for work which will:

Address the route causes of violence and injustice, rather then alleviating symptoms.

Cannot be funded from other sources.

Is likely to make a long-term strategic difference.

For further information log onto www.jrct.org.uk/text.asp?sectionn=0001000200050004 or phone 44(0)1904627810. Closing date for receipt of applications is the 26 th of August 2008.

Kilkenny Biodiversity Plan : Kilkenny Biodiversity Plan will provide a framework for the conservation , management and enhancement of the rich natural heritage and biodiversity in the county. Currently they have a call out for submission on the plan. For further information contact Dearbhala Ledwidge at dearbhhala.ledwidge@kilkennycoco.ie

Kilkenny Heritage Resource Directory; Kilkenny Local Authorities is currently compiling a 2009 directory of skilled trades persons, crafts people, contractors and professionals involved in both building conservation and restoration and for practitioners and suppliers working across our natural environment. If you are interested in participating in this directory and are available to provide your services to clients in County Kilkenny regardless of your geographical location, contact resourcedirectory@kilkennycoco.ie or Mary Henry, Heritage Directory, Insight Communications, Ballybur, Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny. Closing date 31 st of July 2008

Clan Credo – Social Investment Fund – is used by projects to develop social enterprises or address a social need. It has been used for such things including eldercare, environmental projects, community enterprise, accessible transport, services for the unemployed, social housing and childcare. Further information can be obtained by contacting Jennifer Hennessy at 01 4002100 emailing info@clanncredo.ie or www.clanncredo.ie

Ray Murphy fund for leadership education and training. This programme has been set up to assist and encourage managers within the community and voluntary sectors to access leadership education training. It is being administered by the Community Foundation. Five grants will be awarded annually and will be for a maximum of €4,000 each. Further information can be gained by contacting their office at 01 8747354 or on their website www.communityfoundation.ie/grants

St. Stephens Green Trust Grant Scheme 2008 . This scheme has four focus area:

• Specific areas of disability.
• Development and integration (older people in isolation, new communities,
• Breaking the link (homelessness, offenders)
• Christian values and social change.

For further information on the scheme contact Orla O’Neill at info@ssgt.ie or 045 480666, www.ssgt.ie

Closing date for applications is 5 th of September 2008 .

The Community Foundation for Irelands Small Grants Scheme 2008 The Community Foundation for Ireland works to complement the work of charitable organisations in Ireland. It has set the following as deadlines for applications in 2008 29 th August and 31 st of October. Areas which will be eligible include: support for carers, reducing social isolation of older people, supports for people leaving institutional care, supports for sexual minorities, assisting the building of networks and structures for ethnic minorities, and supports for initiatives involving parents and their children risk of poverty and exclusion. Further information is available from Helen Beatty, 01 8747354 or at hbeatty@foundation.ie

Publications Grants from Citizen Information Board. The Publications Grants Scheme supports voluntary organisations with an information dissemination role to meet specific publication needs. Small grants are available ranging from €254 to €3000. Publications are generally part funded. Further information is available from Administrator for Information Publications and Social Policy Service, Citizens Information Board, 7 th Floor Hume House, Ballsbridge Dublin 4 or 01 6059000.

Greener Homes Scheme Grant The Greener Homes Scheme Grant from €300 to €6,500 is now available and provides assistance to homeowners who intend to purchase a new renewable energy heating system for either a new or existing home. For further details contact www.sei.ie Greener Homes Scheme, Sustainable Energy Ireland, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Phone 1850 734 734 or email greenerhomes@sei.ie.

Renewable Heat Deployment Programme (ReHEAT) Under this programme grants are available for the use of qualifying renewable heat systems such as boilers fuelled by wood chips and or wood pellets, solar thermal systems and heat pumps. This programme will provide assistance towards heating systems in industrial, commercial, public and community premises in Ireland. The programme is administered through Sustainable Energy Ireland, who can be contacted at www.sei.ie Sustainable Energy Ireland, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Phone 1850 734 734.

Community Support for Older People. The Scheme for the Community Support of Older People aims to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people in their homes. For further information contact: Voluntary and Community Supports Division, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Teeling St., Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. Phone No. (071) 9186759/ 9186762/ 9186763 .

Information

Managing Culture and the Arts in Ireland: 2008 Conference will take place in on 11 th and 12 th of July in Dublin. For further information contact Dr. Emily Mark Fitzgerald at 01 4433620 or email Emily.mark@ucd.ie or check out www.artsculture08.ie

National Postive Ageing Week takes place form 26 th of September to 4 th of October 2008. For further information contact poreilly@ageaction.ie or www.ageaction.ie or 056 7771976 and talk to Philip directly.

National Community Enterprise Conference will take place in the Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar on the 11 th of September. The theme is: supporting the community to develop and grow local employment. For further information contact Enterprise Ireland.

Give it a Swirl Day 2008: National Day of Volunteering 26 th of September 2008 The aim of the day is to promote and raise awareness of volunteering in Ireland,

Create new avenues for people of all ages and form all walks of life to volunteer in their community, Provide a day of national volunteering which takes place at a local level.

To register your interest in Give it a Swirl Day or for more ideas about projects please contact Eva from Volunteer Centres Ireland or email her at eva@volunteer.ie or call 01 7994519.

Citizens Information Board Group Insurance Scheme for Voluntary Service Organisations: Any voluntary organisation or community group involved in providing a social service can avail of this scheme. Organisations need to complete an Affiliation Form and Proposal Form that meet the criteria of membership of Citizens Information Board Group Insurance Scheme. For further information contact Delores at 01 462 0444 or www.citizensinformationboard.ie/providers/providers_voluntary_insurance.html

Teenspace is a new nation website which will provide information on events, activities and recreation services aimed at children and young people from ages 10 to 18. Check out www.teenspace.ie

Training programmes.

Empower Training is offering the following course:

Self Discovery Weekend July 12 th to 13 th in Kilkenny. “New Beginnings” is a new unique event where your body, mind and spirit will be uplifted yet relaxed in a way that will positively change your life.

Train the Trainer 24 th and 31 st July and 7 th, 14 th, 21 st and 28 th of August. The aim being to help participants to develop the knowledge and skills, necessary to design, deliver and evaluate training and to provide a formal qualification for those involved in training and development.

For further information on any of these programmes contact Therese Kearney at 056 7756736 or email info@empowertraining.ie

NUI Certificate in Performance and NUI Certificate in Directing being delivered in Kilkenny. National University of Ireland Maynooth, Kilkenny Campus will be offering the above programmes on a part-time bases ot older students. For further information on either of these contact Lisa Condon at 056 7775910 or email Lisa.Condon@nuim.ie or check out the website www.kilkenny.nuim.ie

NUI Maynooth Certificate in Creative Writing for Publication (Kilkenny ) This part-time course will commence in September. For further information contact 056 7775910 email Kilkenny.campus@nuim.ie or log onto www.kilkenny.nuim.ie

MA in Partnership Studies, is being offered by University of Limerick, further information on this programme can be obtained at www.ul.ie or by contacting 061 202633.

URRUS Irelands Community Addiction Studies Training Centre , a Ballymun Youth Action Project Initiative is offering the following programmes:

• Community Addiction Studies Course: Autumn 2008 and Spring 2009 (20 sessions)

For further information contact Horizons Centre, Balcurris Rd., Ballymun, Dublin 11 01 8467980 or email urrus@iol.ie

Master of Arts in Management: Community and Voluntary Services will be offered at All Hallows College and accredited by DCU. This is a taught Programme which is offered at Masters Level. The course can be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time study. For further information contact 01 8520756 or email postgrad@allhallows.ie

National Learning Network: Continuous Professional Development has released the following on its training calendar for 2008.

Specific Learning Difficulties Awareness Dublin 17 th and 18 th June and 9 th July

For further information contact the National Learning Network at 01 2000150 or email cpd@nln.ie

Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups – National Governance Project. Offer customised board training. The Carmichael Centre has been delivering training courses to the boards or management committees of community and voluntary organisations since 2000. They will tailor a training course or workshop for your and deliver it to you at the time and place that suits you. For further information contact Danielle at 01 8735285 or email Danielle@carmichaelcentre.ie

Diploma in Social Integration and Enterprise for Community

Development Workers (distance learning) University College Cork is now seeking applications for the above course which commences in October. It will be delivered over a 1 or 2 years. For further information contact Bridget Caroll at 021 4902070 or b.carroll@ucc.ie. Closing date for applications is 29 th of August 2008.

Training courses in Carrig Dulra organic farm and training centre, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow.

• Introduction to Sustainable House Design and Construction 19 th of July
• The Art of seeing: Tracking/Permaculture the weekend of the 2-4 th August.
• Permaculture Design: Date to be confirmed.

For further information check out the website at www.dulra.org or email info@dulra.org

Certificate in Health and Community Services: The aim of the programme is to introduce students to the social and psychological factors that impact on Children and Families to enhance the personal and professional skills required to pursue a career in childcare and family work. The course will take place in All Hallows College Dublin 9 for further information call 01 7979553 or email carol.hamilton@docharity.net

More Power to you-th: Training course BT the National Youth Development Education Programme . For further information on this training please contact Alan Hayes at 01 4255932 or alan.hayes@nyci.ie

Certificate in Grantsmanship is a LEVEL 3 online course. It is aimed at community and voluntary organisations working to set up manage and sustain community projects and services. This is an accredited short course which will provide the ideas, knowledge, confidence and skills required to become a creative and successful fundraiser. For further information contact 0191 2755042 or www.fundraisingskills.co.uk.

Suggested websites:

www.bnsrd.com BNS’s website is updated regularly, and includes contact details and information on the organisations activities throughout the area.

www.kceb.ie/ts.shtml Kilkenny County Enterprise Board provides training for business and enterprises. They are currently enrolling for their autumn classes.

www.kilkennyvec.ie/content/read/title/introduction-to-adult-education The VEC offers a variety of adult education and training programmes for individuals and community groups throughout Kilkenny. Many courses are currently enrolling.

www.kkccc.ie Kilkenny County Childcare Committee offers training programmes for childcare providers, childminders and individuals, interested in childcare training programmes.

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