2024 LEADER Call for Applications

2024 LEADER Call for Applications

2024 LEADER Call for Applications

Call Title:         Traditional Skills Training Supports

Call Overview: Training supports will be offered to communities to promote traditional and lost skills locally such as hedge laying, thatching, boat building, dry stone wall construction, wood carving, and ironmongery as well as general re-use, repair and recycling skills.

Call Type:                                      Targeted Call

Timeline:                                       Expressions of Interest to be received by January 31st, 2025. CLDC will hold an info session on Tuesday 7th Jan     at 6pm at the CLDC offices, Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis V95 PXY3                                                      

LDS Theme:                                 3. Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and      Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

LDS Sub Themes:                     3b. Climate Change Capacity Building

LDS Objectives:                        Best Practice in Sustainable Development

Call Allocation:                         €80,000

Maximum Funding:                 €30,000 per project

Minimum Funding:                  €5,000 per project

Rate of Aid:                            Training up to 100%

Target Geographic Area:      County Clare

Overview:

This call has been designed to encourage community organisations to develop training programmes locally that will equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to empower them to contribute to sustainable development in their communities.

Eligible Applicants:

Community development organisations, local environmental groups, tidy towns, men’s/women’s sheds.

Eligible Activities:

The nature of this call is to support the upskilling of communities with lost traditional skills which could have an impact on sustainable development activities locally. The types of traditional skills required would allow further building, making and mending activities in local communities.

This is an example of the types of practical skills training projects that are eligible in this call:

hedge laying, thatching, boat building, dry stone wall construction, wood carving/woodturning, and ironmongery, basket weaving, soap making, sewing skills, blacksmithing and tapestry weaving, white washing, gate making – any general crafts.

Support to Make an Application:

Advice, mentoring, support will be available to applicants from LEADER staff to complete an EOI. Applicants who have their EOI approved at Phase 1 and are eligible to proceed with a full application to Phase 2, will be invited to complete the full application form – support will be provided with the application process.

Call Process  

This will be a two-stage process.

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

Applicants will initially complete an Expression of Interest form. This will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Does the project comply with eligibility criteria as set out in the Local Development Strategy?
  • Does the project comply with eligibility criteria as set out in the LEADER Operating Rules?
  • Does the project comply with the Call Criteria?

If deemed eligible, applicants will be invited to Stage 2 to submit a Full Application.

Stage 2:            Full Application

Projects will be evaluated by the Independent Evaluation Committee following submission of fully completed applications, accompanied by all supporting documentation as required for the project. Full applications will be evaluated based on the following scoring criteria – projects must received a minimum score of 65.

Q Assessment Criteria Objective Weighting Score
1 Has project development officer report indicated that any documentation / information requested has not been provided by the project promoter(s) Ensure that the project promoter has provided all the required information / documentation requested by project development officer to progress this project.  

N/A

 Pass Fail
2 Displacement Does the project comply with displacement requirements?  

N/A

 Pass Fail
3 Compatibility with Local Development Strategy (LDS) Do the project proposals meet the criteria set out in the LAG’s LDS for the relevant measure? 20
4 Innovation Is the project innovative in its nature? 20
5 Project Promoter experience Does the promoter have the training/skills, track record or experience to deliver? 10
6 Financial Viability Do the proposed actions and associated costs appear reasonable and represent value for money? 10
7 Sustainability Is the project viable and will the service continue to be delivered? 20
8 Requirement Does the proposal target a specific need or address a specific gap in the market? 20
9 Deadweight Would the project proceed without LEADER funding? Pass       Fail

 

In making final decisions on funding, the LAG will give priority to the projects that can demonstrate strong potential for positive environmental and social inclusion impacts.

Should there be more projects that score above the minimum evaluation criteria set out, the projects will be ranked in order of their overall score until the funding is allocated.

This is a competitive application process with a limited fund. Projects that score above the minimum score criteria will not be guaranteed funding. Subject to Departmental approval, LEADER grant offers will be issued following the final decision of approval by the LAG. There will be an appeals process for unsuccessful applicants.

Further queries contact Leader@cldc.ie

Clare’s First Social Enterprise Expo- Join Us

Clare’s First Social Enterprise Expo- Join Us

CLDC is thrilled to invite you to Clare’s FIRST Social Enterprise Expo – a celebration of innovation, community, and impact!

📅 When: Thursday, 28th November, 3 PM – 5 PM
📍 Where: The Inn @ Dromoland

This FREE event is your chance to:
✨ Connect with inspiring social enterprises and support agencies
✨ Discover the incredible work happening in Clare
✨ Meet passionate changemakers and explore fresh ideas

Drop by, get inspired, and be part of the movement shaping our community’s future. Don’t miss it . All are welcome

Funding Support to Restore & Protect Water Quality & Biodiversity

Funding Support to Restore & Protect Water Quality & Biodiversity

Join  us for an  information session for Community Groups on Wednesday night 30th Oct @ 7pm) n the Clare Local Development Company (Ennis) with the CLDC and the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO).

The Information Session is designed to help Tidy Town Groups and Community Groups who wish to undertake work / projects focused on restoring and protecting their local water body, improve water quality and enhance local biodiversity.

The event will outline the work of the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and the Funding Support Available To Community Groups From LAWPRO and LEADER.  It will help you:

  • Learn about the work of LAWPRO and its role in supporting communities to protect and enhance local water bodies.
  • Gain insights into local and national water quality and discover how your community can use various approaches, incl. Nature-Based Solutions, to improve local streams, rivers and lakes, coastal areas, and support local biodiversity.
  • Explore the funding opportunities available to community groups for water and biodiversity related projects from LAWPRO and LEADER and a range of other bodies.

During the session, you’ll have the chance to meet with LAWPRO and LEADER staff to discuss project ideas and get expert guidance on how to make a positive impact in your local community for water quality and biodiversity.

There will also be opportunities to network with other community groups, share ideas, and collaborate on potential projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for community groups passionate about enhancing their local water bodies and supporting biodiversity:

Where:            Clare Local Development Company, Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis, V95 PXY3

When:             Wednesday, 30th October @ 7pm 

Free Event       All Welcome

Celebrating Traveller Pride: A Journey Through Heritage and History in County Clare

Celebrating Traveller Pride: A Journey Through Heritage and History in County Clare

In journalism, we learn that timeliness is key to telling your story. But it’s equally important to reflect on meaningful stories, as they continue to impact people all around us. This is one such story.

Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) is a community organization and charity dedicated to supporting marginalised communities, including the Traveller community in Clare. This article highlights Traveller Pride, and its significance for Irish history, our lives today, and future generations to come.

In May 2024, the Clare Traveller Community Development Project (CDP) hosted an unforgettable Traveller Pride event in Lee’s Road, celebrating the rich culture and heritage of the Traveller community. The event, which attracted over 200 attendees, showcased a Living History Exhibition that transported visitors back to the 1950s, offering a rare and immersive glimpse into Traveller life during that era.

The centrepiece of the exhibition was a fully restored Barrel Top Wagon, a traditional tent, and a flat cart, all set against the backdrop of a campfire, reminiscent of a bygone era. Visitors were treated to live demonstrations of tinsmithing, storytelling by Traveller women, and an authentic camp scene that highlighted the traditions and lifestyle of Travellers from decades past.

Bridgie Casey, Coordinator of Clare Traveller CDP, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “This is an amazing opportunity to get an insight into Traveller heritage and history, and the contribution of Travellers to Irish history for our community and the settled community.”

The day was filled with entertainment for all ages, including live music, performances, and a family-friendly barbecue that brought the community together.

The event provided a platform for both Travellers and the settled community to engage, learn, and appreciate the rich cultural tapestry of the Traveller community. Martin McDonagh, the men’s development worker with the CDP, highlighted the importance of such events, saying, “All are welcome on the day to share the celebration of our culture and learn about our identity. It is important that our history is passed down through the generations.”

Reflecting on the event, Maja Syncerz, a community development worker with the CDP, expressed the importance of having a day to simply celebrate and be proud. “As the Traveller CDP, we advocate a lot, we challenge discrimination, run programmes, and the community engage with our services and do absolutely fantastic work. And It’s just nice to do something positive, with Traveller Pride. Often the stuff that Travellers are dealing with on a daily basis is discrimination, fighting and loss. Having a chance to just be together and celebrate, it’s no small thing. That day is really, really important, to just come there, enjoy and be proud.”

“Having a chance to just be together and celebrate, it’s no small thing. That day is really, really important, to just come there, enjoy and be proud.”

Maja Syncerz, Community Development Worker

Culture & Identity is a core tenant of the Traveller CDP’s work, and this event was a great opportunity to build connection and raise awareness. “It’s amazing to see Traveller Pride being celebrated every year, and the culture and heritage being recognized,” Maja added. Not only was it attended by members of the Traveller community, but there was a lot of interest from the settled community too. There’s a real lack of recognition of Traveller history and culture, and it’s nice to bring that back and highlight their contribution to Irish history.“

One of the most poignant moments of the day came from the older generation of Travellers, who became emotional as they reminisced about their past. “Some of the older generation of Travellers actually got a bit emotional, reflecting on family members that had passed on, and their experiences of childhood,” said Maja. “It sparked conversations about identity and what life was like, making it more than just an exhibition—it was a connection to their roots.”

The event also provided an opportunity for parents and grandparents to educate the younger generation about their heritage. As children explored the exhibition, they were guided by their elders, who shared stories of their own experiences. “Having that physical representation really increased that connection for everyone. It wasn’t just a story, it was an actual experience,” Bridgie added.

This year’s Traveller Pride event marked the third annual celebration by Clare Traveller CDP, and it was the largest yet. The interactive nature of the Living History Exhibition was a result of community feedback from previous years, where attendees expressed a desire for a more hands-on experience. “Traveller Pride will always be centred around the community, and led by the community. The success of the event highlighted the importance of cultural identity and the need to celebrate Traveller heritage.”

Ciara Griffin, on behalf of CLDC, echoed this sentiment, saying, “It’s a really positive showcase for the community, of the culture and identity of Travellers. It’s wonderful when organizations can come together and help support Travellers to celebrate their own ethnicity.” She emphasized the importance of such events in counteracting negative stereotypes and media portrayals, showcasing the positive aspects of Traveller life.

The day was a true celebration of Traveller culture and history, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended. As Maja put it, “Traveller culture made a massive, massive contribution to Irish history. All of our differences should be celebrated, explored with curiosity, and supported, rather than outcasted.”

Traveller Pride 2024 was a day of unity, reflection, and celebration—a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and honouring the rich heritage of the Traveller community.

Find out more about the Traveller CDP here