#LEADERforEnterprise – working proactively for business in Ennis
Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) will host a range of free training supports over the coming weeks for new and existing businesses that are eligible to apply for LEADER grant aid following the launch of their LEADER funded training programme.

#LEADERforEnterprise aims to support local micro and small rural businesses in making their idea a reality through a suite of training modules and workshops to help them develop and grow. Participants with eligible projects will also be supported should they wish to apply for LEADER grant aid of up to 50% of capital expenditure costs to a maximum of €50,000 or up to 75% of the cost of a feasibility study to a maximum grant of €30,000.
The training supports include an eight module Start Your Business course and a six module Grow Your Business Course. These courses will be held in the CLDC offices in Westgate Business Park. Those working in the creative sector can participate in an eight module Creative Entrepreneurship course whilst a six module Key Business Skills course will be delivered to businesses providing an agricultural service.
A series of ideas generation workshops will be held at locations across the county covering a range of enterprise sectors including digital technology, the green economy, artisan food, agriculture, forestry and equine. There will also be a workshop for tourism businesses to develop their networking skills as well as a workshop for existing social enterprises and community groups contemplating making the transition to a social enterprise. Finally, a series of marketing workshops focused on digital and social media will be provided to complement the range of enterprise supports.
The training programme will be delivered by Evelyn Cormican, Blueprint Coaching & Training with the support of a team of specialist trainers and consultants.
The spring schedule of workshops and training is now available at www.cldc.ie To apply for a place on any of the training events, interested parties can download and complete the application form and return it to evelyn@evelyncormican.com by 25th February. Places are subject to availability.

Launch of Biodiversity Training Programme in Dromore Woods, Ruan – 15 Clare communities to benefit from CLDC Biodiversity Training Programme
Fifteen communities across the County are set to learn more about their local species and habitats as part of an innovative LEADER funded Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) biodiversity training programme.
Burrenbeo Trust, based in Kinvara, will deliver the LEADER funded training programme to the communities of Mountshannon, Ballyvaughan, Clarecastle/Ballyea, Ballynacally, Broadford, Connolly, Corofin, Doonbeg, Lisdoonvarna, Kilkee, Kilkishen, Kilmihil, Miltown Malbay/Spanish Point, Newmarket-on-Fergus and Ruan over the coming months.
The programme will consist of a series of modules, demonstration days and workshops and will equip participants with the necessary skills to design and conduct a local biodiversity audit and to subsequently develop a biodiversity action plan for their local area.
Participants will also be upskilled in the implementation of those actions by way of a series of biodiversity workshops. The programme will culminate in an exhibition for members of the public and wider community at the end of the 12 month piece of training, which will showcase the plans produced by each group and will highlight local features and sites of biodiversity importance.
CLDC LEADER Programme Coordinator, Ms. Gloria Callinan believes the biodiversity training programme will lead to a greater awareness within each community of the wealth of their local biodiversity resources.
“The biodiversity training programme will benefit a host of community representatives including tidy towns groups, heritage groups, farmers, landowners, schools and other member groups. It will also benefit Community Employment, Tús and RSS participants and supervisors, residents groups and scout groups amongst others”, said Ms. Callinan.
“The training programme will deliver on the biodiversity objective of our LEADER Local Development Strategy and hopefully generate new LEADER funding applications from individuals, landowners and community groups that stimulates actions to protect and enhance vulnerable species and habitats” she added.
At the official launch of the programme and announcement of the 15 participating communities at Dromore Woods in Ruan, Dr. Brendan Dunford from Burrenbeo expressed his enthusiasm for sharing their learning with communities around the County, saying that “biodiversity is everywhere, all around us in every community and village in the County and Burrenbeo are as excited to learn from new places they haven’t previously worked in”.
Further details of the training programme are available from Gerry McDonagh, LEADER Development Officer, CLDC, Phone 065 6866800, Email gmcdonagh@cldc.ie or from Annalisa Murphy, Burrenbeo Trust, Phone 091-638096, Email annalisa@burrenbeo.com