National Rural Network News
- The TASC-FEPS Conference ‘Reconstructing the European Economy’ (14th June)
- Sustaining a Living Countryside Conference – Friday 6th June, Cork
- €31.5 million in EU Commission funding to bring environmental solutions to market
- InterTradeIreland has 100% funding for SME’s – Elevate Programme
- “Living an Ordinary Life” – Conference 12 June, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
- South Tipperary Tourism Company – Heritage & Tourism Development Newsletter
- Symposium: Engaging Visitors Through Play, Belfast 30th May
- Piety, politics and prelates – Conference 14-15 June, Waterford
- Issue 15 – Spring 2013 Newsletter
- The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) Conference 2013 – 10th June, Maynooth
Archive for February 2012
In 2010, dairy farmer Pat Kelleher approached the West Cork Development Partnership with a project proposal to develop the tyre processing plant he started on his farm. Pat was looking for grant aid to purchase a baler and weigh bridge. The investment he received has greatly improved the efficiency of the on-farm business. If you have an idea for a non-agricultural business on your farm please contact Food, Fisheries & Farming Development Officer Kevin Santry at 023 8834035
It all started in October 2009 when Cadogan’s Strand Coastcare Group in Schull came together to clean-up and create a picnic area in where is known locally as Cadogan’s Strand, to the east of the village of Schull. They applied to WCDP for assistance towards this project, and were approved grant assistance of €44,200 (75%) with local funds of €15,000 (25%). In the beginning the group had a vision for how they would develop the beach amenity, however through Schull Tidy Towns the opportunity arose to enter a competition for Diarmuid Gavin to design the garden. In early 2010 they found out they had won the competition!
With Diarmuid now on board, the project design took on a life of its own. Diarmuid brought a new vision that increased the scale, scope and budget of the project. The group spent many hours fundraising for their new amenity, while at the same time working on building what became known as Trá an Oileáin. The group have created a fantastic amenity for their village with picnic areas, seating taking advantage of the view out of the harbour and access to the water for small watercraft. Since the opening of the Garden in November 2010, the group have won many awards –just last month they won the Co-Operation Ireland All Island Pride of Place for Best Community Tourism Project. The group had a vision, with some hard work and determination they have achieved A Garden for the entire community of Schull.
Take a look at the project in action here.
Community Development · Environment · Farm Supports · Rural Development · Uncategorized
(Click on the image, then skip forward to 11minutes to watch Bantry Driving Academy on Nationwide)
Mary Keohane runs a beef enterprise on her 70 acre farm at Derrinkealig, Bantry. In 2009 Mary approached WCDP in relation to her proposal to develop a Driving Campus on her land that would provide users with a complete driving experience. This would include a full education package, whilst also providing a safe and fully licensed area for young adults from the age of 14-17 years to learn how to drive safely, and be safe when learning how to drive. Mary’s vision for a Driving academy came about when her eldest daughter started to learn how to drive, she feared for her safety as she had no previous experience of driving on a public road. After undertaking research Mary found that there was no facility in the country where young people from the ages of 14-17 years could learn to drive. The proposal would also enable young people to intensify their learning experience and be part of a development in the provision of safe, responsible road use. For further information please visit www.bantrydrivingacademy.ie. WCDP approved grant assistance of €134,300 (50%) to support this project.
Community Development · Environment · Farm Supports · Rural Development · Uncategorized
The Irish Whale & Dolphin Group is a marine conservation NGO (non governmental organisation). They were established in 1990, their aim is the conservation of cetaceans, (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in Irish waters. The IWDG carries out a range of monitoring, research, education and awareness, aimed at improving the conservation status of cetaceans. The core work of the IWDG is the co-ordination of the all-Ireland cetacean sighting and stranding schemes.
The IWDG approached the WCDP with an application for funding to carry out research on the photo ID, expansion of sampling, land and boat based monitoring to establish whale species diversity, seasonal trends and distribution and status of the cetacean species living in West Cork waters. In order to ensure that whale watching is sustainable in the long term, the IWDG argued that it is of utmost importance that structures underpinning the growth of the whale watching industry are put in place while it is still in its infancy.
The WCDP awarded grant aid of €7100. The subsequent IWDG Large Whale Photo-Identification Study is available to view and download.
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Digital Business Seminar February 2012 – Innishannon & Skibbereen
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We are pleased to announce two more Digital Business seminars this Spring. The 1 day seminars will explore how digital marketing and online communications can give your businessa competitive edge in 2012. Having already held seminars in Clonakilty, Bantry and Macroom last December, this February the seminars will take place in Innishannon & Skibbereen
The seminars takes place in -
Innishannon on Friday 24th of February, 2012 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Skibbereen on Monday 27th of February, 2012 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Digital Business: improve efficiency | increase profits
If you are looking to increase productivity, reduce costs, improve online marketing and gain a competitive edge for your small business then this seminar is for you.
The internet, social media, communication and collaboration technologies are transforming the way companies do business. Digital tools and techniques are affordable, effective and can revolutionise your small business. Find out how in this unique 1 day seminar with online communications and marketing specialists Alfie Keary and Calvin Jones.
Morning Session: Digital Marketing
- Get more from every marketing Euro
- Understand your online customers
- Improve your search engine rankings
- Connect and engage with your customers using social media and e-mail marketing
- Reach more people with the viral potential of online networks
Afternoon Session: Digital Communications
- Control your time, travel & carbon costs
- Extend your business reach
- Deliver superior services
- Make faster, smarter decisions and do business more efficiently and effectively
- Connect with staff, clients and business partners in real time regardless of location
Attendance at a seminar costs €15 and includes lunch. Places at each seminar are on an application basis only. Closing date for applications is Monday, February 20th. Please contact David Tuohy in the West Cork Development Partnership on 023 8834035 or email david@wcdp.ie to receive an application form.
digital business · digital marketing · Environment · Feature · IT Training · national tree week · News · Newsletter · Rural Transport · SEO · Training · West Cork
National Tree Week 4th – 10th March 2012: Can you help CEF to plant a 1000 Tree Legacy for Cork. Through one of our members we have been able to source 1000 Oak and Ash saplings which we would like to plant during tree week. We are looking for community projects that would be in a position to plant a substantial number of trees. Please get in touch if you have such a project in mind. We encourage all groups and communities to get involved in this National Tree Council initiative by planting trees, organising walks in local woods and visiting champion trees. We are in the process of organising some such events and will forward details shortly.
About National Tree Week 2012
National Tree Week is an annual, week-long festival celebrating all positive aspects of trees in our lives and environment. It is organised by the Tree Council of Ireland.
National Tree Week takes place from 4-10 March 2012. The theme is ‘Trees – Our Past, Our Present, Our Future’. During National Tree Week, as well as prompting people to plant more trees, we are asking people to celebrate our remarkable heritage of trees and woodlands and to recognise the significance of trees and forests as a living link to our past, as an enjoyable, life-enhancing asset in the present, and as a wise investment in our future.
National Tree Week is an opportune chance for Tree Council member organisations, local authorities, tidy towns and community groups, schools, families and many others all over Ireland to do something positive for their local landscape. By setting up events for National Tree Week within your community or organisation, you can inspire people, young and old, to get out into the fresh air and together plant thousands of trees. It is great fun too – even on a wet blustery day, the thrill of going out and getting your hands dirty, something many of us don’t do often enough, is really rewarding and satisfying whether you are planting one tree or a hundred.
One of the main projects of National Tree Week 2012 is the distribution of over 15,000 trees, sponsored by Coillte, and distributed by local authorities throughout the country to local community groups and schools for planting during and around National Tree Week. If your school or community group would like to receive some of these trees for planting during National Tree Week, contact your local County or City Council.
How To Get Involved
To be part of National Tree Week, the Tree Council of Ireland invites you to organise one or more events for the week to celebrate trees. As well as tree planting ceremonies, the range of events can include forest and woodland walks, nature trails, workshops, woodturning displays, talks, tree hugging, tree climbing, broadcasts, launches, poetry readings, exhibitions, dramas, competitions and tree plantathons where communities are challenged to plant a target number of trees on a designated local site over a fixed time period. Don’t forget to register your event, so that other people can come and join you! Visit the Tree Council of Ireland Website for more details or Register your event here.
Environment · Feature · national tree week · News · Newsletter
Cork County Council is committed to supporting local communities. Allocations from the Community Fund will be available as grant aid to community groups and
local organisations wishing to undertake development projects in their area.
Grants paid under the Community Fund will only be paid in respect of projects commenced and completed in 2012/2013.
The aim of this Scheme is to promote sustainable community development by
supporting community & voluntary groups and local organisations in County Cork to
undertake projects in their area.
The scheme will focus on supporting projects that fall under the following categories:
1. Youth/Aged 2. Health/Education 3. Development and support of sustainable community and voluntary effort 4. Match funding linked to third party funding lines
5. *Community Contracts 6. Other projects
* Community Contracts: Cork County Council may consider making a financial contribution to community groups carrying out works on behalf of the Local Authority in a voluntary capacity.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the Community Fund is up to 5p.m.Wednesday 29th February 2012.
Completed community fund application forms should be returned by post to:
The Senior Executive Officer,
Corporate, Community & Emergency Services Department
Floor 14
County Hall
Cork.
Tel. 021-4285355
Community Development · Feature · News · Newsletter · Rural Development
