DATE FOR THE DIARY
Wednesday 30th November 4-8pm at Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island
SECAD Steps to Sustainable Communities
SECAD, local communities and expert speakers invite you to an exciting and critically important discussion about how communities and key service providers in Cork can actively support the aims and ambitions agreed by world leaders during COP 27.
This event will take place from 4pm to 8pm on 30th November 2022 at the Radisson Hotel Little Island. Leaders in the field of sustainability including Dr Tara Shine and Mindy O’ Brien will be joining the discussion.
Tara has advised world leaders and international organisations on climate change and sustainable development and Mindy is Chief Executive with VOICE Ireland, one of Irelands and Europe’s fastest growing member-based environmental charities.
Community leaders from East Cork, South Cork, West Cork and from communities within the Cork City environs who have started a development process, through a series of capacity building programmes funded through a SECAD Partnership LEADER Cooperation programme with partners in Estonia and Spain will also be attending. This process has looked at what positive steps volunteer-based groups can take in addressing big issues relating to climate Change.
Please see attached a ‘Save the date’ flyer. I would be grateful if you would please circulate this to community and business members in your community who would be interested in attending this free event. Below is the Eventbrite link to register for the event
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/secad-steps-to-sustaining-our-communities-tickets-467465220057
See also the link to SECAD’s facebook post on the event, which you can feel free to share with any local community groups….
https://www.facebook.com/secadcork/
Further details on the event will be circulated in the coming days, but in the meantime, people are encouraged to reserve a place at this event as soon as possible.
Contact Nuala at SECAD on 087 9672515 if you have any queries.
CORK SCHOOLS GARDEN COMPETITION
MUINTIR NA TIRE CORK SCHOOL GARDEN COMPETITION
This Competition is sponsored by Cork County and Cork City Councils and organised by Cork County Muintir na Tire.
There’s a PRIZE FUND of over €5,000 and NO ENTRY FEE. The Closing date for Competition Entry is Good Friday each year
To enter online go to https://www.muintircork.com/competitions-and-programmes/cork-school-gardens
or email admin@muintircork.com for more information.
Full competition details also available from Cork County Federation Muintir na Tíre 8 Sidney Place, Wellington Road, Cork City telephone 0214500688.
FUNDING TO SUPPORT ENERGY COSTS
Ministers Humphreys and O’Brien launch €10 million Fund to support community and voluntary groups with energy costs
This week Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, and Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State, have launched a new €10 million Fund to support community and voluntary groups with the increased energy costs.
This Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme will open for applications to groups on Monday, November 21st.
Increased bills is having an impact on the operations of many community and voluntary groups and this scheme is designed to help.
It will provide once-off support to organisations within the Community and Voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS).
The scheme will open for applications on Monday 21st November and close on Friday 2nd December 2022. It is expected that payments under the scheme will commence before the end of this year and into early 2023.
Announcing the funding package, Minister Humphreys said:
“This new scheme recognises the pressures that our community and voluntary groups are under due to rising energy costs.
“This is a sector that we care deeply about and are committed to support them through this difficult winter.
“Through this €10 million fund, financial support will be provided to these groups from the end of 2022.
“Our community and voluntary sector play a vital role in supporting strong and resilient communities, and thriving towns and villages and it is essential that we continue to support them in carrying out their invaluable work.
“The announcement of the Energy Support Scheme shows that Government has heard the concerns of the sector and we have worked hard to deliver this significant response.
“I’d encourage all eligible groups to apply for this support with the application process opening from, November 21st.”
On foot of the unveiling of the funding package, Minister O’Brien stated:
“Community and Voluntary and charitable organisations help support the most disadvantaged in our society, and this package will assist them to continue their vital work. I have engaged with the C&V sector, my government colleagues and my officials on this issue over recent months to ensure we devised a scheme that would alleviate some of the additional energy costs facing organisations. I am confident the new funding package announced today will significantly assist organisations in meeting their energy costs this winter.
“We’ve worked to make sure the application and payment process are straightforward, but I really encourage intending applicants to check the scheme details on Pobal’s website over the coming days and familiarise themselves with the application process and documentation required, so that they are ready to apply when the application window opens.”
Full scheme details are now available here
This initiative forms part of a range of measures being undertaken by the Department to support the community and voluntary sector, and to empower thriving, sustainable communities across Ireland.
More information on the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme is available here
LEAF WATCH
The collections this week are:
20 bags from Carrigdene,
11 bags from Beech Park,
1 ton bag from Glenbower
Numerous ton bags from Fr. Sexton Park
4 one ton bags of leaves were collected from beside Maxol,
5 small bags from the bicycle shop opposite Maxol in West Village
4 one ton bags from Fr Sexton Park
These leaves have all been added to the compost bays at the Allotment.
LITTER PICK
Our weekly litter pick was once again cancelled on Sunday morning due to the torrential rain. However, 5 hardy Volunteers braved the rain earlier in the morning and collected 5 bags of litter.
As is usual several of our Volunteers carried out litter picks during the week and they too filled 5 bags.
These were all later segregated and from them we got 1 bag of Plastic, 1 bag of Glass and 1 bag of Cans.
BUSY THURSDAY
Thursday the workers were busy collecting leaves. One kind resident kindly donated a load of wood chippings. This will be bagged for use possibly next year.
Ten bags of edging were collected from Innishmore and these together with another 30 bags already brought to the Allotment will all be recycled.
Adrian has been doing an amazing job edging the kerbs in Innishmore. This work will certainly pay dividends in 2023.
some pics from the week –
