PPN NEWSLETTER SPRING 2017 Cork County Public Participation Network News What is the PPN? Cork County PPN is a network of Community & Voluntary, Social Inclusion & Environment organisations that was established in 2015. Through the office of the PPN co-ordinator, PPN member organisations are kept informed of important matters such as: Funding Opportunities Public Consultations Plan-making Policy development PPN member organisations and their representatives can also interact with the policy-making committees of Cork County Council (SPCs) and have their voice heard through the PPN reps that sit on these committees. A full list of the PPN reps that sit on the policy-making committees of Cork County Council can be found here. How does it work? Member organisations register their contact details with the PPN Co-ordinator to ensure that they are kept informed about events, training, funding and other opportunities that are of interest to the Community & Voluntary, Social Inclusion & Environment sectors. In 2015 a 22-member Secretariat or steering group was elected to oversee the administration of the PPN. The Secretariat meets monthly to develop aspects of how the PPN operates such as Communications, Training, PPN Information events and effective PPN representation on Council Committees. Details of Secretariat members can be found here. SAVE THE DATE: Monday May 22 nd Ballincollig Carrigaline Municipal District PPN Meeting. Facilitated by PPN Secretariat Members Liam O Connor & Jim Murphy. Venue, Time & Agenda to be confirmed by email to all PPN member organisations in the Ballincollig Carrigaline Municipal District. In addition to the Secretariat there are 37 seats reserved for PPN representatives on the policy-making committees of Cork County Council. A full list of the PPN reps that sit on the policy-making committees of Cork County Council can be found here. How can my organisation get involved? There are approximately 900 organisations affiliated with Cork County PPN. At our recent PPN Information Evenings held on March 7th, 8th and 9th representatives of these organisations were asked to identify the most important issues for their local area. Feedback was also sought from attendees under the themes of the policy-making committees of Cork County Council. This information is being compiled and forwarded to PPN reps and SPC meeting administrators. If your organisation was not represented at these events you can still contribute your views by contacting ppn@corkcoco.ie or 021 4285340 for a link to the questionnaire.
2 CORK COUNTY PPN Spring Newsletter Cork County PPN held a series of Information & Participation meetings in County Cork on March 7th, 8th & 9th. Thanks to all exhibitors, PPN members and attendees who contributed to the successful running of the events. This was our first time running an event of this type and we look forward to working through the feedback we received from attendees and applying it to future events.
CORK COUNTY PPN Spring Newsletter 3 Keep an eye on Cork County PPN s Facebook & Twitter accounts for details of future events in your area!
4 CORK COUNTY PPN Spring Newsletter LEADER Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 What is LEADER? The LEADER programme (an acronym in French meaning Links between actions for the development of the rural economy) is a European Union initiative to support rural development projects initiated at the local level in order to revitalise rural areas and create jobs. What is the LAG? Decisions on LEADER funding are made at a local level by a Local Action Group (LAG), through the framework of a Local Development Strategy (LDS). A LAG is made up of people from the local community as well as from the local public and private sector. The LDS is a plan that is developed by rural communities to support sustainable development of their sub-regional area. There are three LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) in County Cork located in the Divisions of North, South and West. How much funding is allocated to each LAG for this programme 2014-2020? North: 5,091,845 South: 3,831,303 West: 5,015,674 What is an Implementing Partner? Local Development Company implementing LEADER programme at local level, see table. North Cork Avondhu Blackwater CLG Tel: (022) 46580 Ballyhoura Development CLG Tel: (063) 91300 IRD Duhallow CLG Tel: (029) 60633 Website: www.leadernorthcork.com South Cork Avondhu Blackwater CLG Tel: (022) 46580 IRD Duhallow CLG Tel: (029) 60633 SECAD CLG Tel: (021) 4613432 Údarás na Gaeltachta Tel: (026) 45366 Website: www.leadersouthcork.com West Cork Zone 1: Avondhu Blackwater CLG Tel: 1800200545 Zone 2: Comhar na noileán CTR Tel: 1800200545 Zone 3: SECAD CLG Tel: 1800200545 Website: www.leaderwestcork.com Glossary of abbreviations LEADER Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l Économique Rurale LCDC Local Community Development Committee LAG Local Action Group The Rural Development Programme (LEADER) 2014 2020 is supported by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas and The Department of Arts, Heritage Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
CORK COUNTY PPN Spring Newsletter 5 What is the application & evaluation process? The Application process is a two stage process: Stage 1: Expression of Interest Stage 2: Full Application The timing and nature of EOI calls are decided at LEADER sub-group level by the Implementing Partner in consultation with the LAG Chief Officer. The EOI form will be reviewed by the relevant Implementing Partners. Only eligible EOI s will proceed to the full application stage. Any appeal by unsuccessful applicants must be made to the LAG in the first instance. An Evaluation Committee will assess and evaluate the application based on objective criteria and make a recommendation for funding to the Local Action Group (LAG). Projects to be recommended to the LAG will first undergo an Article 48 Audit check. The LAG will consider the Evaluation Committee recommendation and make a decision on whether to approve funding. The applicant will be notified in writing of the outcome of the Application. In-house Projects A LAG may be a beneficiary and implement projects under the LDS. These projects are known as in-house projects and arise where the LAG or an Implementing Partner delivers a LEADER project. These are projects that are deemed important to the overall development of the area as identified in the LEADER Plan 2014-2020 for example organising a series of training programmes for local communities or businesses. What are open calls and targeted calls? There are two types of calls; Open calls and targeted calls. Funding applications for projects that fit under the Open call will be accepted on a first come, first served basis and are not subject to any application deadlines. Funding applications for projects that fit under the targeted call are subject to application deadlines. Project areas covered by the targeted call will be ineligible under the Open call process for 6 months following the closing date of the targeted call. What are the 3 LEADER themes and 9 sub themes? RDP Theme Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation Sub Themes Rural Tourism Enterprise Development Rural Towns Broadband RDP Theme Social Inclusion Sub Themes Basic Services targeted athard to reach communities Rural Youth RDP Theme Rural Environment Sub Themes Protection and Sustainable use of Water Resources Protection and Improvement of Local Biodiversity Development of Renewable Energy
6 CORK COUNTY PPN Spring Newsletter Do you know the CSO? Did you know that interviewers from the Central Statistics Office conduct surveys in 3,000 households across the country every week of the year? The Irish Central Statistics Office (CSO) conducts a number of Household Surveys. Such surveys gather information on the economic and social situation of households in Ireland. The Household surveys include: The Census, The Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC), The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS), The Household Budget Survey (HBS) and Planning Permissions. Central and local government, businesses, community organisations and many others rely on this information to help them make decisions that affect the lives of everyone living and working in the Ireland. Taking part in a survey Household surveys are conducted to collect valuable decision making information for the country. The information that householders provide is a vital tool in planning for the present and future needs of Ireland. It enables the CSO to measure our country s progress, on important social and economic issues, such as employment, poverty, childcare, health and crime. The CSO employs Field Officers in the collection of Household Survey Statistics. All CSO interviewers carry an ID card with a photo. In the case of some surveys, the interviewer will use a tablet computer to record your answers. If you have been asked to take part in a CSO survey, CSO will: identify themselves as from the CSO whenever they contact you, displaying their logo on all letters and leaflets and on interviewers photo ID cards. when interviewing you in your home or by telephone, arrange a time convenient to you. try to make the experience of taking part in a survey as straightforward and as worthwhile as possible. only ask as many people to take part as necessary for the accuracy of statistics. be honest with you about your participation being voluntary and give you a realistic idea of how long the survey may take. remember that you have kindly taken the time to take part - in your home, on the phone or in a port or airport - and respect your privacy. Confidentiality Confidentiality is a priority for the CSO and all information given to the interviewer is encrypted, transmitted securely and is used for statistical purposes only. Results are published in aggregate format only, and it is impossible for individuals or households to be identified. This confidentiality is guaranteed by law under the Statistics Act, 1993. Further information If you would like more information on CSO household surveys you can contact information@cso.ie / eolas@cso.ie
National Spring Clean! An Taisce National Spring Clean kicks off this month and runs throughout April. Details of how to organise a Spring Clean in your community and National Spring Clean kits can be found at An Taisce s website http://www.nationalspringclean.org/ Under Construction Our website is currently under going updates. Please bear with us while we make changes and check back regularly for the latest updates. http://www.corkcountyppn.com/ Public Information Evening Community Resource Officer, Niamh Jones will provide an Information Session on Epilepsy Awareness in the Maritime Hotel, Bantry on Monday 24th April at 7pm. There is no charge for this event but places must be pre-booked. Please contact Niamh at 021 4274774 or njones@epilepsy.ie to reserve your place. Cork County PPN County Hall Cork T: 021 4285 340 E: ppn@corkcoco.ie W: www.corkcountyppn.com