I've recently written a blog on my personal wordpress site about my experience in climate change communication. If you're interested in the subject, join the conversation here.

The Ireland Funds are about to open their Grants Programmes for 2014. This is another fantastic opportunity for local organisations to receive funding for community-based projects. 

The first programme is a Small Grant Round to enable as many organisations as possible to fund new and innovative responses to social need. They seek applications for projects that fit within their four key programme areas: 

• Arts & Culture
• Community Development
• Education 
• Peace & Reconciliation.
  

Proposed activities should also fit within one of their Promising Ireland Campaign Priority Areas, which include

• Investing in Ireland's Communities
• Supporting a Shared Future for Northern Ireland
• Providing Access to Education
• Promoting Culture and Heritage
• Assisting Disadvantaged Youth
• Assisting the Elderly "Forgotten Irish"
• Promoting Philanthropy in Ireland

The maximum amount organisations may request is €10,000. The average award will be around €5,000 and there is no minimum award. Applicants can apply online during the period in which the Grant Round is open, which will be from 1st February until the deadline on 28th February 2014  17.00GMT. 

A larger fund for Flagship Investments will be available for application in April 2014 to support exceptional non-profit organisations to become effective, impactful leaders in their fields.

All the information on both funding programmes is available here: https://www.theirelandfunds.org/grant-round
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Seminar to help you apply
On 7th February, Jordan Campbell, the Programme Manager at the Ireland Funds, will hold a free seminar for prospective grant applicants. She will go through the process step-by-step and provide advice on how to make a successful grant application.  When: 7 February, starts 2pm and will finish 4:30 to 5pm depending on questions
Where: Dublin. At office of Mason, Hayes and Curran on Barrow Street (map: http://www.mhc.ie/contact)
To register: email Jordan ([email protected]) and include the following details:
- Your name
- Your organisation
- Your email address

Check out the IPB Youth and Community Fund!

IPB Insurance supports youth and community development with their EUR 1 million IPB Youth & Community Development Fund. The Fund is open to all community or voluntary groups, local clubs or associations, not-for-profit and charitable organisations operating at a local level within the Republic of Ireland. 

Projects will be funded under the categories of 

• Arts & Culture; Community Development
• Elderly
• Environment
• Physical Activity & Sport
• Youth. 

Applications for funding from between €2,500 to €15,000 will be considered. 

Check out the list of previously funded projects here, which includes purchase of sports equipment; development of playgrounds and other local amenities; funding for cultural events; etc. Initiatives that complement or expand the capacity of existing projects are also welcomed.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our local community groups to receive much needed funding for further development. The application process is simple and can be completed online here.

The closing date for applications is 17.00 (GMT) on 17 January 2014.

Ireland’s local elections are held every five years. The Local Elections for 2014 will be held on the same day as the European Elections, which are scheduled to be held towards the end of May 2014. This website will be updated as soon as a date is fixed for the elections and information is received from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.  

At the local elections, members of the local community elect Councillors to represent the community in local authorities. The number of Councillors that may be elected to each local authority changes from area to area. For the Killiney-Shankill district, there will be six councillors elected in 2014. This has been increased from five in the 2009 election.

The polling period must last at least 12 hours between 7.00 am and 10.30 pm. The electoral system is based on proportional representation with a single transferable vote.

• You do not have to be an Irish citizen to vote in a local election.
• You must be over 18 years of age and you must live in the local electoral area.
• You must be registered on the Register of Electors compiled every year by County and City Councils. 

To check whether or not your name is on the Electoral Register, enquire at your local garda station, post office, public library, local authority office or online at www.checktheregister.ie.

To be included on the Electoral Register, you must complete an application form and return it to your local authority. Application forms are available at your local authority office or at www.checktheregister.ie