Ó Cuív announces grants to promote European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

43 organisations to receive funding totalling over €120,000 for locally based initiatives

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., today (Wednesday, 21st April 2010) announced funding for 43 groups totalling over €120,000. The funding is being provided for community and voluntary organisations who will undertake a range of locally based activities and initiatives to promote awareness of poverty and social exclusion and to mark 2010 the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion in their community. Over 580 applications for funding were received from organisations throughout the country.

Announcing the funding, Minister Ó Cuív said "the initiatives for which funding is being provided include sporting activities, local radio broadcasting campaigns, seminars, art and photographic exhibitions and education and information initiatives. These activities will involve people experiencing poverty and will, for wider society, raise awareness of the European Year and poverty and social exclusion issues."

The aims of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion are to:

Raise public awareness of poverty and social exclusion in Europe,
Convey the message that poverty and exclusion are obstacles to social and economic development,
Challenge the idea that tackling poverty is a cost to society,
Re-affirm the importance of collective responsibility and involve all sectors of society in actions to tackle poverty, and
Give 'voice' to people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.

Martin Territt, Director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland said "the founding principle of the European Union is solidarity, and this year the EU joined forces with its Member States to make 2010 the European Year For Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The guiding principle of the Year is to give voice to the concerns of people who have to live with poverty and social exclusion, and to inspire every European citizen and other stakeholders to engage with these important issues."

The Irish programme to mark the year involves a range of events and activities throughout the country that are being organised by Government departments, and agencies, local authorities, expert organisations, social partners, and national and local and community organisations.

Minister Ó Cuív concluded by congratulating the organisations who were successful in their applications for funding saying "the European Year is a wonderful opportunity for local and voluntary organisations to promote and showcase their work on social inclusion issues and I wish you all well in your endeavours."

Details of the 43 organisations receiving funding follow:

County based activities	Sponsoring Group	Summary of Proposal
1. Mayo	Irish Rural Link Unit 2, Moate Business Park, Clara Road, Moate, Co Westmeath Irish Rural Link (IRL), is a national network of organisations and individuals campaigning for sustainable rural development	3 regional meetings culminating in a 2 day national conference in Killala to raise public awareness of the lived experience of rural poverty and social exclusion. (Promotional leaflets, posters, website linking EY2010 and rural poverty and social exclusion)
	AkiDwA 9B Lower Abbey St, Dublin 1 AkiDwA is a migrant women network in Ireland that provides support, information and education to migrant women based on a human rights and gender perspective.	Work with migrant women on EY2010 in Mayo, Monaghan, Portlaoise, Galway (Clifden) with view to:- Presenting an overview and objectives of the EY2010 for combating poverty and social exclusion; Providing information on poverty and social exclusion; Identifying strategies for social inclusion.
	Family Resource Centres Mayo (Westport FRC; Tacu FRC, Ballinrobe; Ballina FRC; Neart hAmhnais FRC, Ballyhaunis; Kilmovee FRC, Claremorris FRC, Castlebar FRC) c/o Westport FRC, The Fairgreen, Westport, Mayo	Undertake social analysis exercise and use the knowledge gained to compose and direct a local radio broadcasting campaign that will raise awareness of the nature and extent of disadvantage in Mayo. The campaign will demonstrate that this is a problem for society as a whole (pushing the theme that equal societies do better) and invite people to become involved in local projects tackling the issue.
	Linenhall Mayo Arts Centre Linenhall St, Castlebar, Co Mayo Linenhall Arts Centre provides art service to community providing opportunities for all to explore their own creativity.	Fashion Show (6 weeks workshop in preparation for Fashion Show to highlight European Year; re-fashion clothes from charity shops, intercultural dimension. Promote objectives of EY2010 by projecting text versions of the objects as a backdrop through the show and involve travellers and youth who experience poverty and social exclusion.
2. Galway	Connemara Community Radio Letterfrack, Co Galway Serve the people of the area with a radio service owned and managed by the people of North West Connemara and dedicated to their needs.	Half hour slot weekly highlighting Year and poverty incl orgs working locally and nationally on the issues:- 7-30 to 8-00pm on Tuesdays will be dedicated to raise public awareness of poverty and social exclusion and promote 2010 as European year of combating poverty and social exclusion
	Mental Health Ireland St. Brigids Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway Promotes mental health and supports those with mental illness their families / carers by identifying their needs and advocating their rights	Promote the objectives of the European year for combating poverty and social exclusion through art exhibitions, (art, booklet and poetry writing by people using mental health services in Galway). Exhibitions will be open to the public and launched in different areas of Galway
	Clann Family Resource Centre and UachtarArts Group, Cregg Lodge, Station Road, Oughterard, Co Galway Clann FRC provide Community development, family support through combating poverty and social exclusion.	Short film, DVD launch and radio programme during local arts week. The project will enhance two themes for the European Year 2010 rural disadvantage and services for older people areas will include culture and services which are essential for older people in rural communities. The DVD and radio programme will focus on rights and citizenship.
3. Donegal	Moville and District Family Resource Centre The Cornstore, Bath Terrace Lane, Moville, Co Donegal Family Resource Centre	Theatre devised, produced and performed by 3 schools in area (10-14 yr old); DVD of performance; Intergenerational photo exhibition on poverty.
4. Dublin	An Cosán - The Shanty Educational Project Ltd Kiltalown Village Centre, Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin, 24 Learning and leadership through education and enterprise solutions for the challenges facing Tallaght West	Host a seminar on Grassroots leadership in urban disadvantage (also marking10th Anniversary of Project) in Tallaght West:- Showcase good practice and share knowledge gained through community education training. Highlight public ownership of social inclusion issues and policies and the responsibility of local communities in tackling poverty and marginalisation.
	ATD Fourth World 26 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1 ATD Fourth World works in partnership with governments and NGOs to create the conditions necessary for people in extreme poverty to become active partners in the development of modern society	Record, write and distribute stories of children, young people and adults living in disadvantaged communities (Ballymun, Ballyfermot, Sandyford, the Inner City - homeless people, parents in bed and breakfast, isolated tenants in local authority housing estates, people in drug support and training programmes). Establish link with ATD European network. Promotional leaflets and wire sculpture exhibition.
	near FM Northside Civic Centre, Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin 17 Community radio providing a voice for those under-represented or excluded	Two radio panel discussions a) Poverty and Family b) Exclusion from workplace Guests will include representatives from many organisations operating in Dublin who on a daily basis combat poverty and social exclusion in society as well as people who experience the issues themselves.
	Ballymun Anti Poverty Framework c/o Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership, Shopping Centre, Ballymun, Co Dublin Promote awareness and educate individuals / groups about the issues of poverty and social exclusion	4 seminars to highlight year on: Homelessness, Ethnic Minorities, Child Poverty and Access to Services
	Cairde 19 Belvedere Place, Dublin 1 Cairde works to reduce health inequalities among ethnic minorities and is committed to supporting the participation of communities to enhance their own health	Community consultation on impact of poverty on health of ethnic minorities in Balbriggan cumulating in a one day consultation seminar which will mark EY2010 and present findings of consultations.
	Mountwood Fitzgerald CDP 71-72 maple House, Mounttown, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin Works with community to combat problems of poverty and social exclusion in local area	The aim of the work is to promote the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion (2010) through public awareness tools produced with new technologies by trainees who are experiencing poverty and social exclusion at first hand themselves.
5. Waterford	Ballybeg Community Education Project. The Parish Centre Ballybeg, Waterford City Support to young people in educational disadvantage	Information booklets on poverty with young people. Booklets for primary and secondary school. Young people will compile and design information for booklets.
6. Kildare	Kildare Town Youth Project Units 1 and 2 Fairview, Kildare Town Youth Project promoting equality and social inclusion of children, young people, their families and communities.	DVD and Posters (12 week programme on poverty and social inclusion on the impact of poverty and social exclusion on young people, their families and communities with a group of 15 to 16 year olds leading to production of DVD).
7. Cork	New Communities Partnership Cois Tine, St Mary's, Popes Quay, Cork An independent national network of 104 ethnic minority led groups comprising of 65 nationalities with offices in Dublin, Cork and Limerick	Organise 5 Events to promote EY2010 Training Workshop (focus on employment for migrant groups); Seminar (breaking down barriers to social inclusion focusing on the Traveller community and new communities); 5-a-side football (intercultural tournament); Photo exhibition on social exclusion; Conference (Social exclusion in Cork)
	Cork Music Works No.11 Summerhill South, Cork City Promotes inclusive and integrated approach to music education and performance for people with intellectual disabilities	Mentoring Sessions with 2 schools in Cork to bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities to Sign and Sign in a choir. Public Performances at various local festivals and events through the year for example the Life Long Learning Festival-March, Bealtaine-May and the Cork Mid Summer Music Festival. All with view of promoting EY2010.
	Cork Centre for Independent Living 20 Commons Rd, Blackpool, Cork Supports "independent living" and full participation of people with disabilities in the community	Workshop entitled Disability and the Poverty Trap which will be filmed and shown on the local television channel Cork Community Television. Speakers at the workshop will include local academics as well as activists and members of the disabled community discussing themes related to the above topic.
	Cork Social Housing Forum c/o Baile an Aoirse sheltered Housing Services, Leycester's Lane, Montenotte, Cork Raises awareness of social and affordable accommodation issues, with a view to enhancing accommodation provision in Cork City and hinterland	1/2 day seminar on Homelessness / Housing Highlighting poverty and social exclusion, relating to housing and homelessness in Cork City; Overview of European year, Identify practical actions going forward; Exhibition stand for member groups.
8. Limerick	Doras Luimní Mount St. Vincent, O'Connell Ave, Limerick Doras Luimni promote and protect the rights of all migrants in Limerick, including asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers	Intercultural Creative Writing Award with the theme Integration in a Time of Recession; aimed at young people (aged 12-18 years) from all communities (secondary schools, Limerick Youth Service, direct provision centres, sporting and community organisations). Launch and Awards Ceremony at UCH Limerick
	Irish Wheelchair Association Unit 10, Docklands Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick Member of National Irish Wheelchair Assoc.	Art exhibition of work by participants; Integrated dance performance with students from schools and colleges in area; Information day
	West Clare FRC, Toler St, Kilrush, Co. Clare Hospital FRC, Knockaniney rd, Hospital, Co. Limerick Croom FRC, Croom Mill, Croom, Co. Limerick Family Resource Centres	Photographic Exhibition and Information Morning (with speaker on poverty) on: Child Poverty; Access to Work; Access to Services; People with Disabilities; Rural Disadvantage.
9. Clare	Raheen Hospital Support Group Raheen Community Hospital and Day Care Centre, Tuamgraney, Scariff, Co Clare Enhances the quality of life of Older members from the East Clare area and keep them connected to the wider community.	Intergenerational arts project promoting EY2010 Create a shadow puppet performance (storytelling, song and music) with older people from the East Clare area and National School children with two public performances; Produce a series of hand made books for display at performances.
10. Monaghan	Monaghan Community Forum c/o Monaghan County Council Offices, The Glen, Monaghan Voice of the community and voluntary organisations and forum for consultation between the community and voluntary organisations and government agencies.	Social Inclusion Week: organise and co-ordinate a week of social inclusion activities and events, across community/voluntary, statutory and non statutory agencies. Including 5 workshops with a social inclusion focus on the themes of Talent, Technology and Tolerance
11. Laois	Knockmay Women's Voice C/O 106/107 Cherrygrove, Knockmay, Portlaoise, Co Laois Ensure our community finds out what the regeneration consists of and get involved with putting plans in place.	build the capacity of local women living in poverty and social exclusion to take leadership in the regeneration of local estate express experience of poverty and social exclusion and dreams for change through paintings, collective quilt of creative imagery and poetry organise an exhibition of the art and quilt with an accompanying spoken and vocal presentation at the County Council or local Arts centre
12. Kerry	Kerry Travellers Development Project St. Anthony's House, Mitchel's Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry Partnership between Travellers and settled people to challenge inequalities and to bring about positive change for the Traveller community.	Equality and inclusion training and cultural event. The awareness raising will focus on social inclusion and Traveller culture while simultaneously raising awareness of the EY2010:- Tackle exclusion through awareness raising Build capacity of the Traveller community Increase participation of those excluded A Cultural Event that will celebrate Traveller culture, and highlight the exclusion experienced by Travellers. (include a photo exhibition).
	South West Kerry Women's CDP The O'Connell Centre, Caherciveen, Co Kerry Network of locally based women's groups in South west Kerry	Hold four capacity building workshops with people experience poverty and social exclusion i.e. People with Disabilities, Older People, Lone Parents, Children, to enable them to have a voice with which to raise awareness of their issues. Host a seminar with feedback from the four workshops
1 3. Wexford	Feachtas Ealaion Teoranta t/a St. Michael's Theatre, South St. New Ross, Co. Wexford	An outreach filmmaking project with adults with an intellectual disability who attend County Wexford Community Workshop (CWCW New Ross) Facilitates filmmaking projects with socially marginalised groups such as people with disabilities, Travellers, Asylum Seekers and people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. A documentary film dealing with the theme of social exclusion will be produced The film will receive a gala premiere in St. Michael's Theatre, New Ross and will be available on DVD and the internet
14. Tipperary	Thurles Action for Community Development, Parnell House, Cuchulainn Rd, Thurles, Co.Tipperary Community Development Project with an anti poverty focus working with a variety of target groups experiencing disadvantage and promoting social inclusion as the core of its work.	Design and erection of sculpture (9 wall plagues, 1 large) depicting themes of year 9 small wall plaques moulded in clay and then "cast" in bronze Each plaque will illustrate one of the 9 specific themes as outlined in the National Programme. One larger wall plaque (approximately 24" X 24") encapsulating the collective 9 themes of the National Programme cast in Bronze.
15. Sligo	Sligo County Community Forum Development Centre, Cleveragh Road, Sligo County wide network of community and voluntary organisations in County Sligo.	Host a seminar on 'The impact of Poverty in a Changing Ireland' with the aim to give recognition to those experiencing poverty in this area and raise awareness of the issues that they face; present an analysis of poverty at a macro and micro level. The seminar will be a mixture of guest speakers and participatory workshops.
16. Longford	Longford County Childcare Committee Longford Businesss and Technology Park, Templemichael, Longford Facilitates childcare provides to develop appropriate services to cater for childcare needs of local parents	Host one day seminar with workshops for parents and childcare providers who need support in the area of poverty with open forum where participants and ask questions to a panel of speakers from childcare background
17. Louth	Apple Tree Foundation Roden Place, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Creativity Centre and Youth Cafe for Young People with a special focus on youth at risk target group	Develop a drama or visual arts based presentation with young people from disadvantaged areas in Dundalk which will allow them to creatively explore and articulate their experience of poverty and social exclusion and the pressures that lead to in anti-social behaviour including underage drinking and drugs as well as teen pregnancy.
1 8. Meath	Navan Community Development Project 96 Claremont Estate, Navan, Co.Meath Support the community in identifying and meeting its own needs by running courses in a safe and secure venue, by providing a meeting place for local groups and associations	Work with Meath Local Sports Partnership in running a 6 month programme (Active Learning) targeted at those experiencing social exclusion and poverty; engage members of the travelling community, lone parents and the unemployed from the Clogherboy area of Navan. Provide participants with opportunities to experience activities and courses which due to travel distance, entry requirements, childminding difficulties or pricing structures would not usually be afforded to them.
19. Westmeath	Athlone Women's Network C/O Athlone Community Taskforce Business Development Centre, Parnell Square, Athlone, Co Westmeath Support women in the Athlone area in terms of Social Inclusion with regard to training, education, employment and decision making structures	Host information Seminar to provide opportunities for disadvantaged women in the locality. Training in Community Radio will improve Skills for disadvantaged women and support them to highlight issues that perpetuate social exclusion in a more creative way, and help build the capacity of women facing social exclusion
20. Kilkenny	The Good Shepherd Centre, Church Lane, Kilkenny, Providing emergency accommodation to homeless men and supporting them back into independent living	Develop a travelling road show to bring to local schools and broader community in Kilkenny City and county that will highlight the causes and needs of people experiencing homeless. It is envisaged that people who have experienced homeless will be trained and supported to be part of the road show.
21. Wicklow	County Wicklow Network For Older People, Wicklow County Campus, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow Promote positive ageing, advocate on issues affecting the lives of older people in Wicklow	Organise and hold Older Persons Sports Festival in the first week of May 2010. The aim of the festival is to promote sports and physical activity among older people especially those at risk of isolation and social exclusion
22. Roscommon	Roscommon Women's Network CDP The Old Mill, Castlerea, Co Roscommon Work closely with individual women and groups who are marginalised and disadvantaged	Group of 15/20 participants will meet weekly to discuss the issues and make recommendations, produce artwork to symbolise and demonstrate their findings and plan a conference and media campaign locally to highlight their issues and recommendations. The project activity will focus on Rural Disadvantage and Access to Services.
23. Cavan	Irish Wheelchair Association, Cavan Resource and Outreach Centre, Unit 1, Block D, Corlurgan Business Park, Cavan	To devise, write produce and tour a play dealing with issues in relation to personal experiences of people with a disability. This project will involve members of the Irish Wheelchair Association, Dramatherapy group in partnership with actors from the Cavan area.
24. Carlow	St. Catherine's Community Services Centre, St. Joseph's Road, Carlow	With VISAUL Centre for Contemporary Art and George Bernard Shaw Theatre,to produce an interactive book on poverty as experienced by the Centre's members
25.Leitrim	Rossinver Community Development Project, New Ballagh Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim	To undertake a 10 week art course for older people on their experience of social exclusion and rural disadvantage and to exhibit this work
26. Offaly	St Mary's Youth and Community Centre, Harbour St,Tullamore, Co. Offaly	To deliver in partnership with Offaly Sports Partnership a 6 month intervention to afford children living in poverty the opportuntiy to particiapte and excel in sports.
27. National activity	National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) 76 Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 Committed to making sure people with literacy and numeracy difficulties can fully take part in society and have access to learning opportunities that meet their needs.	Launch a national campaign to encourage organisations dealing with the public to develop practices that reduce literacy-related barriers to accessing information - in public services, at work and in the community. This would include a once-off national seminar on the topic of literacy in Ireland. NALA also propose launching a 'Plain English guide to Social Services' - a handy, jargon free resource for people with literacy difficulties in Ireland.

Last modified:23/04/2010

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