BNS Rural Social Scheme:

There are currently opportunities for members of the farming community to earn extra income through the Rural Social Scheme. For information on how it works, the hours workered and types of work undertaken, contact Christine Walshe, RSS Co-ordinator for BNS at 056 7752111 before the 11 th of June.

Community based projects can receive the support of a worker, to maintain community facilites and amenities, provide administration support, village enhancement and development of walks. Again contact Christine Walshe, RSS Co-ordinator for BNS at 056 7752111 before the 11 th of June.

The Enterprise Bus will visit Kilkenny City and County

As part of a campaign to raise awareness of Enterprise supports and in particular the role of the Enterprise Board Network in assisting start up and business growth Kilkenny County Enterprise Board are delighted to be one of 15 boards nationally who will facilitate the visit of the Enterprise Bus to Kilkenny City and County. The Enterprise Bus is a venture supported by the Enterprise Board Network and Bank of Ireland Business Banking. The Bus will provide a mobile, free and easily accessible venue in which members of the public can receive information on Enterprise Start up and supports available. Bank of Ireland advisors will also be on hand to provide advice on business banking.

ENTERPRISE BUS – Kilkenny

3 rd – 6 th June 2008

Annual Environmental Awards: South Tipperary County Council, have launched their new categories in under the Annual Environment Awards Scheme. Closing Date for applications is 20 th of June 2008, contact Amy or Bernadette at 1800 202627 for details. This category is specifically for new entrants to the competition.

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.

Enhancing Disablity Services Programme , information nights have already taken place, but the aim of this programme is to contribute to the development of improved services for disabled people. Applicants can obtain further information by accessing www.pobal.ie, or calling 01 4484892. Closing date for receipt of applications is 27 th of June 2008

South East Regional Drug Task Force Small Grants 2008: The South East Regional Drug Task Force is pleased to announce the availability of grants for Community and Voluntary groups and projects that are responding, or wish to respond, to drug issues in their area. Grants to a maximum of €1,200 are available to groups and projects for proposals that meet the criteria. Applications forms and further details are available from 051 841144, or the SERDTF, Farronshoneen Youth and Community Centre, Upper Grange, Waterford. Closing date is 9 th of June 2008.

Artist in the Community Grant Scheme 2008: This programme is administered by the Arts Council, and is run over two phases:

Phase l : open to artists who wish to research and develop a project in a community context, time frame 3 months, maximum grant €1,000.

Phase 2 : open to communties of interest or place and or their representatives, who are planning a project between six weeks and five months with a maximum of €5,000 or who are planning a project of 6months and 9months with a maximum award of €10,000. Closing date is the 27 th of June and further details can be obtained at 01 4736600 or emailing support@create-ireland.ie

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 5th 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

Artist in the Community Scheme 2008: The aim of this scheme is to encourage intense collaboration between communities of place and or interest and artists culminating in an artwork or project in which the members of the community group and artists work together in order to realise an artistic project or event. Phase two for communities interested in a project for which there is grant aid of €5,000 to €10,000 available, closing date is 27 th June 2008 for further information contact Katherine Atkinson at 01 4736600 or email support@create-ireland.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.

Community and Voluntary Grant Scheme The Programme of grants for locally-based Community and Voluntary Organisations for the refurbishment of facilities has no closing date. Further details can be got at www.pobail.ie or by ringing 071 9186759 or from Voluntary Community Supports, Dept. of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Teeling St., Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo.

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

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.

Overcoming Barriers to Educational Disadvantage, National Combat Poverty Agency conference will take place in Croke Park on Wednesday the 25 th of June from 9.00am to 4.30pm. Further information can be obtained by emailing conference@combatpoverty.ie or accessing www.combatpoverty.ie/news/events.htm.

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

Medieval Fair : Camphill in Jerpoint are planning a Medieval Fair on the 21 st of June 2008, any group or small business who would like to participate on exhibit at the event, should contact camphilljerpoint@eircom.net

Training programmes.

Empower Training is offering the following course:

Train the Trainer in Waterford commencing on the 20 th of June,

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.

Introduction to NeuroLinguistic Programming : An Introduction to Neurolinguistic programming will take place in Kilkenny on 21 st and 22 nd of June. It is the study of human excellence and looks at how humans thank and experience the world.

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

Diploma in Rural Development/Degree in Rural Development (by Distance Learning): Information night on these programmes will take place in Springhill Hotel Kilkenny on 14 th of May 2008, Both programmes are accredited through NUI, and the local co-ordinator is Lily Mulhall contactable at lily.mulhall@ucd.ie or 087 2461164. If you cannot attend on the night why not contact Lily directly.

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.

FETAC Assessor Training Portlaoise 4 th, 5 th and 19 th June

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.

• Weekend on the Mountain 14 th – 15 th June
• 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

FETAC Assessors training organised by the National Learning Network , will take place on the 4 th, 5 th and 19 th of June, in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaois, for further information contact 01 2000150 or cpd@nln.ie or www.nln.ie

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

Organic Gardening Courses Oracle Organic Farm in Nurney, Carlow are offering short term courses in Organic Gardening throughout the summer. The courses are run on a Saturday and different aspects of organic growing are covered each day. The tutor is an experienced grower and teacher. For further information contact Grace at 087 9358148.

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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