Nuacht
'Helping Hands' events underway
Ó An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Ó An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Events are aimed at groups that have received little or no funding in the past
Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, has announced the launch of 'Helping Hands', events which will provide information to community groups on how to submit effective applications for grant funding.
The free event forms part of the “Helping Hands” initiative, a series of regional events. These events provide information on how to submit applications for grant funding and are aimed at groups that have received little or no funding in the past.
Speaking about funding for rural communities Minister Ring said:
“Recently I hosted a number of Rural Opportunity events around the country where I have met with community groups and seen first-hand how the funding they received has enabled them to deliver their successful projects. I recognise that the application process is often a daunting one for volunteers or other small organisations to negotiate.
“The “Helping Hands” series of events which kicked off in Ballina is aimed at helping groups that may not have been that successful in getting grant funding in the past. Sometimes the groups that have good ideas, and need it most, don’t make applications or are unsuccessful when they do.
“My department and the wider government make many grants available to community groups. For example, I recently made €4.5m available under the Community Enhancement Programme. This initiative will help to ensure that groups with good ideas get their fair share.”
The “Helping Hands” events aim to provide hints and tips on how to make a better application and how to identify local supports that community groups can draw upon.
The events in each region are being run by the Department of Rural and Community Development with support from Pobal, the local authority, the Irish Local Development Network, and the Local Development Company/Companies.
Department officials visited the following venues to meet community groups and advise how best to access Government funding.
| Region | Date | Venue |
| Dublin Region | 30th May | Darndale Belcamp VC, Coolock, Dublin. |
| East Region | 28th May | St Mary’s Youth & Community Centre, Tullamore, Co Offaly. |
| Mid-West Region | 23rd May | Southill Area Centre, Limerick |
| South Region | 16th May | James O’Keefe Institute, Newmarket, Co Cork |
| Border Region | 9th May | Finn Valley, Stranorlar, Co Donegal |
| West Region | 25th April | Kennedy Glasgow Centre, Ballina, Co Mayo. |
The event in Mayo also served as a showcase of local development work in the area.
ENDS
The Irish Local Development Network CLG (ILDN) is the representative body for the country’s 49 Local Development Companies who deliver RDP LEADER, Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme, Rural Social Scheme, Tús, Local Employment Service, Jobs Clubs, Rural Recreation Programme, The Walks Scheme, Back to Work Enterprise Allowance and social enterprise programmes across rural and urban Ireland.