Monthly Newsletter! Stay up-to-date on funding, events and other opportunities
#6 11 May 2023
Hello and welcome to this edition of the GCCN Newsletter.
As the weather warms up and we inch closer to summer, we're thrilled to share some of the amazing events and initiatives happening in our city over the coming weeks.
In this edition, we invite you to join us for our Feedback and Recognition Event or our free bite-size training on Volunteer Retention. We also wish to update you on the latest developments regarding Galway City's Development Plan, BusConnects Galway, and Green Spaces Strategy. In addition, we provide details on various funding and open calls, upcoming meetings and events, initiatives and campaigns and much more. Make sure to have a look at all entries below!
We hope you enjoy reading this month's newsletter and find the information useful. As always, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us with any questions or comments you may have.
Below, find information on:
GCCN News
Invite to Feedback and Recognition Event - read here
Stay up-to-date on funding, events and other opportunities by checking out our monthly newsletter. Apart form checking your inbox regularly, we also recommend visiting our website so you don't miss any important updates.
Did you know?
There are a number of vacancies on the GCCN Secretariat. Get in touch with Oana at communications@gccn.ie for details.
Do you want to share info with the GCCN Newsletter? Our monthly newsletter is issued at the beginning of each month. If you have upcoming events to share, please make sure to submit them to communications@gccn.ie or with the form below before the last day of each month. We can't wait to see what you've got planned!
This event marks the close of a project aimed at supporting marginalized groups to have a say in local planning.
The 6 groups involved represent Traveller Community, LGBTI+ Community, Migrant Women, Youth on the margins, the Deaf Community and the Galway City Civil Society Panel.
This is a good opportunity to connect with key decision-makers in Galway City Council and community organizations.
We hope to see you there!
Affecting organisations across the community and voluntary sector
The Department of Rural and Community Development, has engaged BDO to conduct research which seeks to examine current trends within the public liability insurance market and the impact of these trends on organisations across the community and voluntary sector.
As part of the research, BDO has prepared the survey at the link below, which it is anticipated can help inform the research.
Many of you will have taken part in a previous survey, conducted in 2019 by the Public Participation Networks (PPNs). The data from this survey was used to inform a range of reforms in the industry. It is expected that this new research can help identify if there have been any improvements or dis-improvements in the situation since 2019 and to consider the impact, if any of any recent insurance reform measures.
A version of this survey has been distributed by the Wheel to its members. You may have received and completed a survey, and if this is the case, we greatly appreciate your input and participation. For those of you who have not received or completed the survey, we would really appreciate it if you were able to complete the following survey.
It should be noted that all information will be treated in the strictest of confidence and will only be presented in aggregated format. Individual respondents will not be identified or referenced in the report or findings of the research.
Any queries or questions in relation to the survey or research should be directed to Austin Hickey, Director, BDO on 01 4700352 or by email ahickey@bdo.ie.
How to find, support, retain volunteers in your organisation Free Bite-Size Training Series - May to June 2023
Galway City Community Network, in collaboration with Galway Volunteer Centre, would like to invite you to join a series of four bite-size workshops open to all who want to learn more about how to find, support and retain volunteers in their organisation.
The above workshops will be held in advance of the Fundamentals of Volunteer Engagement and main Volunteer Management Training organised by Galway Volunteer Centre in late 2023.
Galway City Development Plan, 2023-2029 Direction in the matter of Section 31 of the
Planning and Development Act 2000
The Minister of State for Local Government and Planning on the 3rd May 2023 issued a Direction pursuant to Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) in relation to the Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029.
Pursuant to Section 31(17) of the Act, this Direction is deemed to have immediate effect and its terms are considered to be incorporated into the plan from that date.
A copy of the Direction may be inspected during normal opening hours at the Planning Office, Galway City Council, College Road, Galway, H91 F798 and on the City Council website www.galwaycity.ie and online consultation portal consult@galwaycity.ie
Galway City Council is in the process of incorporating the Direction into the City Development Plan 2023-2029 and a finalised version of the Plan will be made available shortly.
The consultation period for the BusConnects Galway Draft New Bus Network will run from Monday 24th April until Friday 2nd June 2023. Information on the following can now be found on the website www.busconnects.ie/busconnects/galway:
Draft New Bus Network Report – Available in English, Irish and accessible PDF.
Information Booklet –Available to view and download on the website. An Post will deliver 49,000 information booklets to residents living along the routes that will be impacted by the proposed network redesign
Public Information Campaign – This will be ran for six weeks across all local media outlets.
Interactive Online Map – Learn how people can use the proposed services and routes.
Online Information Events – Virtual public meetings will take place via Zoom on Tuesday 23rd May (@6.30pm) and Thursday 25th May (@1pm). Further details as well as registration links can be found on our website.
Public Information Events - A series of localised specific events across Galway are scheduled to take place during May. NTA staff and representatives will be in attendance to answer any queries. In addition, interactive screens with a route/map of proposed Galway Bus Network Redesign as well as information material will be available at these public information events.
Public Information Event Dates
Date
Description
Venue & Address
Time
Tues 16th May
Galway Public Information
The Ardilaun Hotel, Taylor’s Hill Road, Galway H91 H29F
12pm – 7pm
Wed 17th May
Galway Public Information
Maldron Hotel Oranmore, Galway Carrowmoneash, Oranmore, Co Galway, H91 K7FA
As Galway City grows, so does our need for spaces for recreation, rest, play and nature. For this reason, Galway City Council is currently developing a Green Spaces Strategy. This strategy will be used to make and shape decisions such as making new playgrounds and outdoor facilities, whilst enhancing the natural and built heritage of Galway City.
Galway City Council and ARUP with support from Connect the Dots would like to invite everyone in Galway City’s community to have a say in how Galway City’s parks, woodlands, beaches could be protected and improved. Local knowledge and feedback is vital in the development of this Strategy.
Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme
Galway City Council proposes to provide a segregated high quality cycle route along the R865 Ballybane Road and the L5029 Castlepark Road, Galway; entitled “Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme”.
Plans and particulars of the proposed development are available for public inspection or purchase up to and including Thursday, 25th of May 2023 during public hours at the Planning Office, Galway City Council.
Written submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development is situated may be made in writing to the Local Authority to arrive no later than: 4.00pm on Thursday, 8th of June 2023 to Senior Planner, Planning Department, Galway City Council, City Hall, College Road, Galway or by email to planning@galwaycity.ie. It should be noted that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all records held by Galway City Council.
Public Bodies’ Statutory Duty to Eliminate Discrimination, Promote Equality, and Protect Human Rights of Staff and Service Users
CLM Training
Community Law and Mediation (CLM) Training - Public Bodies’ Statutory Duty to Eliminate Discrimination, Promote Equality, and Protect Human Rights of Staff and Service Users
Date: Thurs 18 May 2023
Time: 10am - 1pm by zoom
Cost: Free (only 2 people per organisation)
Maximum of 30 on training to facilitate discussion.
Community Law and Mediation will deliver training on:
An Overview of Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty
Who the duty applies to
Equality and Human Rights Sources:
Equality Legislation
Constitutional Rights
European Convention on Human Rights
Other International Treaties and Conventions
Implementing the duty in a public body
The role of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in promoting and monitoring the implementation of the duty
Accountability of public bodies in implementing the duty
Grow Remote Summit 2023 National Remote Work Conference June 8th & 9th
Join the National Remote Working Conference (Portlaoise June 8th & 9th) for two days of visionary speakers, a recruitment fair, and an after-hours festival.
Over the two days, the leaders in remote speaking will address 3 core areas - building the business case for remote, co-creating industry standards, and measuring return on investment.
With c.1,000 people from remote companies, employees, government and community groups. Speakers include David Mc Williams, Shopify, eBay, Liberty Insurance and 20+ speakers and exhibitors to be announced.
Remote work has the potential to fundamentally shift how our communties work, but despite Covid, we're still really only at the beginning.
Ireland’s contribution to the EU’s role in tackling poverty
You are invited to join EAPN Ireland in Dublin for their newly rescheduled conference, 'Ireland's contribution to the EU's role in tackling poverty'. Register for this free event HERE.
NEW DATE: Monday 29th May 2023
TIME: 9:30AM - 1:00PM
VENUE: Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission, Green Street, Dublin 7 (hybrid event, with option to attend in person or online)
REGISTER HERE
The event will explore Ireland's contribution to the EU’s role in tackling poverty and the lessons learned for the future. It will also look at what benefits this has brought for how poverty has been tackled in Ireland.
This interactive and participative event will feature an exciting line up of panellists (to be announced shortly) and World Café style discussions to stimulate dialogue and debate.
On the morning, registration opens at 9:30AM and the event starts at 10:00AM. A light lunch will be available at 1:00PM.
Awareness Course 1: Saturday, May 27th
Awareness Course 2: Saturday, June 3rd
Leave No Trace Awareness Course: The Certified Awareness Course runs for one day over 6 - 7 hours. It is designed for individuals and groups who are interested in learning more about Leave No Trace, in a hands-on stimulating outdoor learning environment.
The course takes place almost entirely outdoors and will share tools and techniques for disseminating low-impact skills across the Island of Ireland, and beyond. The course will have a particular focus on the impacts and environment of Barna Woods but the skills and knowledge gained can be applied to all outdoor areas.
Note: There is no cost to taking part as Galway City Council are funding these courses. Places on these courses are limited so please do book as soon as you can. Leave No Trace will do their best to get everyone interested in taking part on the course.
Join NALA for a one hour webinar on being literacy friendly with Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre at 11am on Thursday 1 June. The event will look at what is literacy; the link between literacy and inequality; Pavee Point’s experience being literacy friendly.
As community and voluntary groups and organisations, GCCN members are a trusted source of information, advice and support in our communities. If people have unmet literacy, numeracy or digital literacy needs, can they fully access your programmes and supports?
The Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre has decades of experience providing information, raising awareness and organising in literacy friendly ways. The organisation has a deep analysis of the many literacy barriers facing the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland.
In 2019, Pavee Point was recognised for its Pavee Mothers website and booklet by NALA at our Plain English awards.
Mary-Brigid Collins, Primary Health Care Project Coordinator and Mary Collins, Primary Health Care Worker will talk through their experience of providing support and information, and raising awareness about health issues through literacy friendly ways.
Do you want to make positive change in your community? Local people who are blind or vision impaired are invited to attend NCBI’s Local Advocacy Network. The Local Advocacy Network provides a platform for people in the local community to work together to break down barriers they are facing in their area. You can find out more information about the Local Advocacy Network, including the link to register to attend on www.ncbi.ie and click on the Policy and Advocacy tab, by calling 1800 911 250, or emailing campaigns@ncbi.ie.
NCBI Advocacy Talks Live Event ( Online)
All interested people are invited to register to join the NCBI Advocacy Talks live monthly online event to hear from local and international speakers on topics of interest to people with a disability. These events are held from 3-4pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month on Microsoft Teams platform. More information and how to register here: https://www.ncbi.ie/policy-advocacy/advocacy-talks/
Cruinniú na nÓg 2023, a day of free creative activity for young people, will be held this year on 10th June and it will feature more than 500 free creative activities for children and young people throughout the country.
Galway City Gardens of the year 2023 Open for Entries!
Do you have green fingers or know someone whose garden is filled with colourful blooms or spectacular vegetables?!
Galway City Council is inviting all keen gardeners to celebrate their wonderful green spaces in the annual Garden of the year awards 2023. Entries are welcome in a variety of categories including ‘Best Residential Estate’, ‘Best Front Garden’, ‘Best School’, ‘Best Public and Commercial Building’ and ‘Best Community Project’. Entries are invited online, by (date). Judging will take place throughout June and July with prizes including trophies and up to €300 for winners at an awards ceremony in the Autumn.
Entry is free. More information, including the full list of competition categories, is also available online. For more information email environment@galwaycity.ie
2023 Community Safety Innovation Fund Open until 19 May
The open call for Community Safety Innovation Funding will runs until 5pm on the Friday 19 May 2023. €3 million has been made available to support the development of community safety through innovative, local community based initiatives.
Applications are invited from community safety initiatives as well as groups co-funded with local authorities, NGOs and community organisations working on issues relevant to community safety and youth justice. Applications may be submitted by individual organisations, or by a consortium involving two or more organisations where the lead partner is a community organisation, not-for-profit, social enterprise or similar with a remit relevant to community safety and/or youth justice. Applications with innovative approaches will be afforded particular consideration.
Creative Youth Nurture Fund Applications open until 9 June
The Nurture Fund is a pilot scheme that will support youth-led cultural, artistic and creative engagement by young people aged between 6 and 24 years.
It is looking to support individuals and organisations that can reach specific groups of young people that are too often seldom heard, to nurture their creative passions and ignite their creative potential.
Grant funding between €50,000 - €90,000 per project with a duration of 18-24 months will be provided up to a total of €500,000.
Proposals are invited from organisations, individuals or partnerships with experience of working with the following groups of children and young people:
1. Living with physical or intellectual disabilities;
2. Refugees and asylum-seekers;
3. Living with mental health issues;
4. LGBTI+;
5. Traveller and Roma;
6. Those within, or transitioning from, the care system; or
7. Engaged with the youth justice system/ incarcerated persons and ex-offenders (up to age 24).
€500,000 will be made available to community based organisations to carry out integration projects at a national, provincial or local level to support the integration of International Protection Applicants
grants of up to €20,000 will be allocated to successful organisations to support integration initiatives
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne TD, today 10 May 2023, re-opened the application process for the Sports Energy Support Scheme. The purpose of the €35m Fund, which was secured as part of Budget 2023, is to support the rising energy costs associated with the provision of sport.
Sports clubs and organisations which received funding under Phase I of the Scheme, for the period up to 31 March, are now eligible to apply for funding of their energy costs for April and May 2023. In addition, sports clubs and organisations which did not previously make an application during Phase I, are able to make an application for funding.
Under Phase II, community-owned sports facilities not specifically affiliated to an NGB or who do not currently qualify for TBESS or other Government schemes, can now engage with their Local Sports Partnership (LSP) to ascertain if they are eligible to qualify for funding. This aims to ensure maximum support is provided to grassroots sport.
The closing date for applications to the Sports Energy Support Scheme is Friday, 26 May 2023. Read more here.
Fund for the Construction of New Community Centres Deadline: 3 July 2023
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has launched the 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund, which will see €20 million invested in new and ambitious community projects. For the first time, funding of at least €1 million will be invested in projects that are shovel ready and which are in areas that currently lack community facilities.
An application form can be requested from ccif@drcd.gov.ie. The deadline for the receipt of applications is 12 noon on 3rd July 2023. Read more here.
Mná na hÉireann, Women of Ireland Empowerment Fund 2023-2026
The Mná na hÉireann, Women of Ireland Empowerment Fund 2023 – 2026 is a $1 million, three-year fund created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with Bank of America and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Applications for the Mná na hÉireann, Women of Ireland Empowerment Fund 2023-2026 are now open. Interested not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply through Rethink Ireland's website: www.rethinkireland.ie with the application period closing on Friday, 2nd June 2023. Read more here.
Irish Youth Foundation: Coca-Cola Thank You Fund 2023
The Irish Youth Foundation: Coca-Cola Thank You Fund 2023 is now open for applications until Thursday 15th June 2023 at 6pm. Operating in partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation and supporting partners YouthAction Northern Ireland, The Coca-Cola Company and its partner Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland are this year joining forces to double the size and impact of the Fund, making €200,000 in grants available. Awards of up to €5,000 and €10,000 will be available to support community-based projects that are focused on empowering young people through programmes of learning, inclusion, and sustainable development. Read more here.
Galway County Council, in conjunction with Galway City Council invite all the landowners, members of the public and interested parties to participate in this non-statutory public consultation on the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor for the Galway to Oughterard Greenway project from Friday 12th May to Friday 23rd June 2023.
Your participation in this consultation is important. Any feedback is welcome which you think should be reviewed by the project team to help inform the development of this project.
The project is currently nearing the completion of Phase 2: Options Selection process. In June 2022 the project team presented seven route corridor options following the completion of the Preliminary Options Assessment. Having considered feedback received from our previous consultations these options have been subject to a further detailed assessment in accordance with the TII Project Appraisal Guidelines and Common Appraisal Framework leading to the identification of the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor, which is being presented at this consultation.
A series of in-person public consultation events will take place in Killannin, Oughterard and Galway City between Tuesday 16th May 2023 and Thursday 18th May 2023:
Killannin Community Centre, Rosscahill,County Galway
Tuesday 16th May 2023 – 12:00-20:00
Oughterard Community Centre, Main Street, Oughterard, County Galway
Wednesday 17th May 2023 – 12:00-20:00
Human Biology Building Atrium, South Campus University of Galway, Galway City
Thursday 18th May 2023 – 12:00-20:00
All relevant material will be made available via our project website galwaytooughterardgreenway.ie which will include a virtual consultation room and interactive mapping to allow users to the examine the proposals in further detail. This information will be accessible throughout the consultation period and beyond with submissions accepted until Friday 23rd June 2023.
Please submit your views and feedback online or send by post or by email on or before Friday 23rd June 2023. Alternatively, please feel free to contact the project team should you have any queries or wish to arrange a meeting:
Email: galwaytooughterardgreenway@aecom.com
Post: Connemara Greenway Project, NRPO Office, Galway County Council, Corporate House, City East Business Park, Ballybrit, Galway, H91 KT67
If you do not have access to email or internet, please feel free to contact the project team on 091 509570 (9:00am to 4:30pm Monday – Friday).
The ‘Victims of Crime - Know Your Rights’ National Awareness Campaign
‘You have rights, you have support, you have a voice – find yours at VictimsCharter.ie’
Campaign developed with marginalised, minority and hard to reach communities in mind
The Minister for Justice, Simon Harris TD, has launched a significant new awareness campaign highlighting the rights available to you if you are a victim of crime. The campaign – which will run across TV, local and national radio, digital and social – directs people to the VictimsCharter.ie website which sets out your rights in an easily accessible manner, and helps victims of crime to locate services and supports available.
For 2023 the Stop Food Waste campaigns will focus on food groups that people waste the most and highlight ways to use these foods more efficiently. The first campaign is on Bread and it is called 'Bread explained: how to make the most of it and not waste it!”
Stop Food Waste want to help people understand bread; why it ends up being wasted and how to make the most of it with tips and advice on buying, storing and freezing it. Stop Food Waste will also share interesting recipes on how to use up bread. Using bread better will also help people to save money on their food bills. The simple steps Stop Food Waste want to encourage people to take are:
Buy less – only buy the bread you need
Store right – keep bread for longer by storing it the right way
Eat it – discover lots of great ways to use up bread
Freeze it – freeze bread to use another time
If you wish to share about this campaign, please find attached the Campaign Toolkit HERE.
You can link to the campaign here. The campaign hashtag is #StopBreadWaste
New LGBT+ Support Group
Parent's Group for parents/guardians of LGBTI+ young people
AMACH! LGBT Galway are delighted to announce their newest support group, Parent’s Group for parents/guardians of LGBTI+ young people, in collaboration with ShOUT!, Youth Work Ireland Galway.
This is a monthly support group facilitated by Helen Butler.
To join, please contact helen.butler@youthworkgalway.ie or text/WhatsApp 086 107 9590.
This is a group which these two organisations recognised an important need for, and so they are very pleased to have found a great facilitator to make this group a reality.
Please share this information around as much as possible, I have also attached a copy of the poster if you could share on your social media or print and display in your premises!
Information on some current health and wellbeing-related programmes and resources for May 2023 is available for download HERE.
This includes information on:
The GCCN website now displays Information for Ukrainians Arriving in Galway both in English and Ukrainian.
Check-out the link below to read more about arriving in Ireland and to Galway, the services available, including accomodation, social welfare and education and other general info.
is an all-island digital toolkit for communities, campaigners, and researchers.
It aims to connect communities, researchers, and organisations across the island of Ireland as a step towards greater connectivity, collaboration, and shared solutions to environmental justice issues.
The toolkit offers info on resources, a map of environment groups and a directory of experts in different fields.
Galway LGBTI+ Interagency
Public Recognition Marker & Resource Pack Available on request. Show your support!
The LGBTI+ Interagency Public Recognition Marker is available for shops, businesses, community groups and more, in the city and county to display in their windows, showing that the LGBTQI+ community are welcome there.
If you would like to order a PRM sticker, get in contact with info@amachlgbt.com.
The LGBTQI+ Interagency also developed a resource pack for supporting the LGBTIQ+ community.
Find the Interagency Resource pack in PDF format - here ore request one by post by emailing equality@gccn.ie.
Free counselling supports (6 sessions) are available from My Mind with a particular focus on Ukrainian refugees.
The sessions are provided in Ukrainian.
Details at: https://mymind.org/free-counselling
The counselling service is funded by the Department of Health.
A Ukrainian Community Response Forum has been established in Galway City to enable the various organisations and agencies at local level, to work together in the delivery of services for Ukrainian refugees relocating to Galway City. The role of the Forum is to coordinate the community-led response in the provision of local assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees as they are accommodated in Galway City. Supplementing the supports and services being provided by government agencies at a local level, the purpose will be to ensure effective communication and information sharing in the coordination of local community and voluntary actions in providing community supports to the new Ukrainian communities.
It is intended that the information contained on this page will be a useful resource for Ukrainian people, agencies and members of the public who are seeking information on services and help available in Galway City. As we get more relevant, useful information we will continue to update this page.
The Galway City Community Call Helpline New Flyer GraphicsThe helpline is open to anyone who needs it, seven days a week.
If you need support or help to get access to shopping, food, medication or if you feel isolated or lonely and need someone to talk to, please get in touch at:
1800 400 150 covidsupport@galwaycity.ie
Please find below the new graphics for the Community Call for Galway City, for your information and onwards circulation and promotion:
The Keep Well campaign provides guidelines, information, and tips on how we can add healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines around five simple actions: keeping active, keeping in contact, switching off and getting creative, eating well and minding your mood
As part of the ongoing work of the Galway City Community Response Forum, Galway City Community Network and Galway City Council have developed a map of the COVID-19 related responses, activities and services available to people in Galway City.
The map is publicly available and can be used as a useful information resource both for individuals made vulnerable by COVID-19 and by organisations or agencies that need to know where they may refer their clients to for support.
