E-Bulletin

28 April 2009

working to create a genuinely participative democracy

Quick Links:

1	PEACE III Call - 'Addressing Legacy & Truth in Public Memory'
2	Community Arts Small Grants
3	DSD Minister announces uplift for Volunteer support programme
4	Coping with the Recession – Final chance to register
5	Minister announces Fort George Funding
6	Meet your EU Election candidates
7	Community Relations Week – What’s it to you?
8	The Skilled Listening Programme
9	Area Youth Service Plan
10	Silver Surfers’ Day 2009
11	Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2009
12	Carnival Art master classes come to Derry!

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1	PEACE III Call - 'Addressing Legacy & Truth in Public Memory' The Border Action / Community Relations Council Consortium have issued a call for applications under Strand 1 of Theme 1.2 of the PEACE III Programme - 'Addressing Legacy and Truth in Public Memory'. The call will close at 12 noon on Friday 29th May 2009. Applications will be accepted from organisations or consortia interested in developing and delivering peace-building and reconciliation projects which seek to implement actions that explore the legacy and memory of the conflict through truth recovery, documentation, storytelling and the recording of complex history and experience. The application process requires completion of an online Part A Application Form which is available at: www.eugrants.org as well as a Part B which you can download from: http://www.borderaction.ie/latestnews?newsid=112. Guidance Notes are also available at that website which gives further details of Strand 1 including practical information which will help you complete your application.
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2	Community Arts Small Grants The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland is offering Small Grants ranging from £500 to £1,000 for community arts projects. The aims of the funding are: To support grassroots arts initiatives that foster ‘a shared future’ and that promote the inclusion of the new immigrants, asylum-seekers and their families as well as travellers. To encourage communities that experience difficulties with cultural and ethnic diversity to use community arts as a way to take up the challenge of social inclusion. To give community and arts organisations the opportunity to develop small scale, new or innovative inclusive projects that will make a difference at local level For an application pack and guidelines, follow the below links: Full Guidelines (Word) / Application Form (Word)
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3	DSD Minister announces uplift for Volunteer support programme Social Development Minster Margaret Ritchie announced funding of £330,000 to be made available as small grants to support volunteers in small local organisations. The funding is an increase of £130,000 on the amount provided for small grants last year. Small Grants are administered by the network of Volunteer Centres on behalf of the Department for Social Development. Funding is not yet being distributed but if you are (or hope to be) a volunteer - involving arts organisation, make contact with your local volunteer centre (full list at www.volunteering-ni.org) to see what supports, services they currently offer.
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4	Coping with the Recession – Final chance to register Thursday 30 April 2009, St Columb’s Park House, 10.30 – 1.30 (lunch included) A North-West Seminar on “Coping with the Recession” has been organised jointly by North-West Community Network and NICVA. In the plainest terms possible, what many of us have observed occurring in other sectors – closures, job losses etc. – is a prospect that the Community & Voluntary sector must consider seriously. Analysis of past economic cycles indicates that the most severe recessionary impacts affect community & voluntary activity between nine and twelve months after other sectors. This can be directly linked to cuts in public spending, hits on investments by charitable trusts and foundations and of course reduced income earned from reserves, especially for larger organisations. The seminar will set out the key areas that community and voluntary organisations need to be aware of and action in order to survive. The Agenda for the seminar aims to set the context for what we may face as well as providing practical advice that will be relevant to groups of all types and size. For further information or to register, contact: NWCN - Neola Nelis, tel: 028 7127 9090 or neola@nwcn.org or NICVA - Cathy Breslin at tel: 028 9087 7777 or cathy.breslin@nicva.org
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5	Minister announces Fort George Funding Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie announced funding of £3.2million to facilitate a specific programme of remedial and infrastructure works at Fort George, Derry. Ilex will oversee the programme of works which is the first practical step in preparing to bring the Fort George site to the market. The works will include: The removal of polluted sand, silt and other debris from the Pennyburn Channel; Repairs to the quay wall on the River Foyle and remediation of the bank of the Pennyburn estuary following dredging; Repairs to the surface of the concrete jetty dating from World War 2, including the installation of lighting and new steel railings; The opening of the jetty to pedestrians and cyclists as an extension to the foot and cycle path. The mixed use redevelopment of Fort George will include education and research activities, office accommodation, including space for targeted economic sectors, together with residential and leisure use. The Ilex Corporate Plan commits the organisation to having 30% of the site built out, or under construction by March 2011. The immediate programme of remedial works is necessary to deal with the dereliction, pollution and infrastructural problems that characterise the existing river frontage.
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6	Meet your EU Election candidates The European Parliamentary elections will be held on 4^th June 2009. As part of the ‘Ireland in Social Europe Project’ the NI Anti-Poverty Network will be holding a ‘hustings event’ to bring Europe closer to people who experience poverty and social exclusion. All the EU Election candidates have confirmed attendance and will be available on the day to answer your questions. This event will provide an opportunity for you to learn a bit more about the workings of the European Parliament and allow you to engage with candidates on how they plan to represent you and issues identified by you. This event will be held on Friday 15^th May (10am – 12.30pm) in Unison, Galway House, 165 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AL. The event will include a briefing session to members and PEP’s (people with experience of poverty) on the workings of the European Parliament provided by Anna Visser – Director, EAPN Ireland. (10-11am) in advance of a panel discussion and question and answer session (11-12.30pm). Places for this event are limited so if you wish to attend please contact NIAPN as soon as possible to confirm your place. This is your opportunity to find out what our local candidates intend to do for you if they are elected into the European Parliament prior to the all important Election on 4^th June. T: 028 9024 4525, E: info@niapn.org, W: www.niapn.org
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7	Community Relations Week – What’s it to you? 25th April - 3rd May 2009 Derry City Council will be asking the public to give their take on Community Relations in a programme of over 50 events for Community Relations Week which runs from Saturday April 25 to Saturday May 2. This year's theme of "Community Relations - What's It To You?" asks ordinary people to think about what good community relations means to them. Community Relations week aims to challenge racism and sectarianism and promote peacebuilding, cross-community and cultural diversity work. It is a way for everyone to show that they support building a shared and better future for all. Locally, Derry City Council and Community and Voluntary Sector groups have created a diverse packed programme. There really is something for everyone! Highlights of Community Relations Week include the launch of the "Do You Get The Guildhall" Education Programme. The fascinating "Siege and Celebrations" tells the historic story of the siege, the Apprentice Boys of Derry association and modern day commemorations allowing a wider understanding of the events. The week will also see the opening of "The Tunnels" at Lisnagelvin that have had a dramatic face lift by local school groups. Other events include a talk and tour entitled 'From Protest to Peace and Reconciliation', 'Toddle Together' where local toddlers will be encouraged to toddle together to St Columb's Park House and 'A Different Drum' a musical workshop at St Patrick's and Brigid's College in Claudy. Full event details are available by clicking on www.derrycity.gov.uk/goodrelations This year’s campaign is called 'Community Relations - What's It To You?' Let our local politicians know what is important to you about Community Relations by filling out our online postcard. For further information contact: tel: 028 7134 5160 / sue.divin@derrycity.gov.uk / carol.stewart@derrycity.gov.uk
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8	The Skilled Listening Programme The Skilled Listening Programme is a 12 hour introduction to a user-friendly structure for Listening and Basic Counselling. It is delivered by Relate NI trained counsellors and will allow participants to develop skills and confidence that will be very useful in any formal or semi-formal listening situation. Programme content will include: Introduction to Basic Counselling skills, Introduction to the Egan Model: Exploration; Understanding; Action, Exploring blocks to Listening and the Practical application of skills. DATES: Wednesday 13th May and Friday 22nd May VENUE: Clooney Methodist Hall TIME: 9.30am – 4pm COST: Free Places FACILITATOR: Owen Donnelly, Relate NI Programme funded by Awards for All. To have a free place on this two day programme please contact: Eamon Baker @ 71377940 or email: cdli@btconnect.com
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9	Area Youth Service Plan Prior to the development of the Area Youth Service Plan for the Derry City Area, a consultation event will be held in the Youth Information Centre, Dungiven Road, Waterside, on Tuesday May 5th at 7pm. It would be appreciated if all interested parties could have representation at this meeting to inform of priorities from local areas. Whilst the Youth Service budget is restricted there is expertise available to assist in the development of projects and programmes. In particular, outreach workers are available to carry our training programmes in several areas. It is appreciated that everybody’s time is at a premium but your contribution would be highly valued. Please confirm attendance by calling Mary McGarrigle on 028 7127 1932.
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10	Silver Surfers’ Day 2009 Silver Surfers’ Day on 15 May 2009 is a national day set aside to focus on helping the over 50s to have a taste of what the Internet offers and to help them to gain the essential ICT skills to get started. In Northern Ireland 86% pf those over 65 years of age have never accessed a computer or the internet and many of those aged 50 and over have not yet realised its benefits. Business in the Community, with the help of volunteers from local organisations will help hundreds of people across Northern Ireland discover the basics of: How to use a computer / How to register for a free email account / How to email family abroad / book cheap flights / save time on shopping / find a computer course / bank safely and more. Most sessions will take place in public libraries. For further information please contact Hilary Dickson on 028 9046 0606 or visit: www.bitc.org.uk/northern_ireland/index.html
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11	Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2009 The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2009 is open for entries! The Poetry Society is looking for the top 100 poets aged between 11 and 17 in the UK and beyond. With the support of the Foyle Foundation, we continue to offer fantastic prizes: the 15 top winners will spend a week working on their poetry in an Arvon centre with this year’s judge, Lemn Sissay or receive a poet visit to their school, depending on their age. All 100 winners will receive Youth Membership to the Poetry Society and a selection of free poetry books. Deadline: 31 July 2009. Further details at www.foyleyoungpoets.org
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12	Carnival Art master classes come to Derry! Are you a community artist, youth leader, teacher, community worker, art student, or volunteer, living and building creative skills in the North West? Would you like to enhance your existing creative skills or learn new ones for own development and the benefit of your community? If the answer is “Yes” to any, or all of the above, then the North West Carnival Initiative would like to invite you to participate in a unique programme of Carnival Art master classes which will be delivered by a variety of expert tutors in the fields. The first series of master classes will teach the art of “Silk Techniques”. It will look at ways of using silk in Carnival. The workshops will take place on the 13th & 14th May from 10am to 5pm each day at the Gasyard’s Arts Factory, tutors from the WEA will facilitate the workshop. The second set of master classes will demonstrate the techniques used to make large-scale Willow constructions. It will look at ways of using this medium to create large-scale spectacles and how to assemble and animate the pieces for Carnival and Events. The workshops will also take place at the Gasyard’s Arts Factory on the 20th & 21st May from 10am to 5pm, Belfast based carnival company The Beat will facilitate these workshops. Please note that no previous experience is necessary for either class. All that is required is enthusiasm, a passion to learn and a desire to pass on the knowledge! The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, National Lottery Fund and Derry City Council core finance and support this project, so we are able to offer this unique training for the nominal cost of £25.00 (full fee) or £10 (concession). There are also a limited number of bursaries available. Please contact Helen Harley or Isobel Gartlan for more information and an application form. Tel: 028 7136 5151 or email: helen.harley@derrycity.gov.uk / Isobel.gartlan@derrycity.gov.uk

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Neola Nelis North-West Community Network 23 Bishop Street Derry~Londonderry BT48 6PR Tel. (028) 7127 9090 Fax (028) 7127 9357 Email neola@nwcn.org Website www.nwcn.org
NWCN is a membership organisation for community & voluntary groups in the North-West, click here for a membership form for 2008-09.
North-West Community Network receives core funding through the Community Investment Fund (DSD).

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