Your annual report is not just a regulatory obligation that you have to adhere to, it is a promotional tool for your organisation.

In early July, 15 attendees from 14 community and voluntary sector organisations attended training delivered by Diarmaid O'Corrbui CEO of the Carmichael Centre in relation to Developing an Effective Annual report. We received really positive feedback from attendees: 

"The handouts are excellent and can be shared by all the staff and other groups. Clear answers to any questions asked. It was a very informative mornings training."

"Bringing us through the different parts of the annual plan explaining each part."

"Full course content was excellent, no improvement required."

 As a result we are partnering with the Carmichael Centre to offer this FREE online training again to Community & Voluntary groups. The date is still be confirmed but is likely to be in September.

Blu Zebra in partnership with Louth Volunteer Centre have secured PEACEIV funding through SEUPB, Louth County Council and the Local Community Development Committee to deliver a new training programme for civic leaders across Louth. 

This bespoke programme seeks to increase understanding and appreciation of other cultures and communities and to build positive relations. The themes which will be explored include Social Enterprise; Volunteering; Integration and Inclusion; Youth Entrepreneurship; Cross border opportunities and Resilience Building/Change Management. 

Participants will be drawn from civic and community leaders and those working in the statutory and non-statutory sectors on both sides of the border.

If you are interested in finding out more about this programme, please click here for more information.

A number of new funding schemes have just been launched which will be of particular interest to smaller community organisations.

Communities Enhancement Programme

The CEP is targeted at enhancing community facilities for individuals and communities that are impacted by disadvantage as identified in the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). The funding is for capital costs only. Louth CEP has just recently been issued with a closing date of Friday 28th August.

COVID-19 Stability Fund for Unincorporated Organisations
A new COVID-19 Stability Fund has been launched which is targeted at unincorporated community and voluntary sector organisations who are registered with the Charities Regulator and whose service delivery has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The closing date for this scheme is Monday 10th August 2020.

Rethink Ireland have recently announced two new funding streams.

1. Equality Fund 2020-2023

2. Innovate Together Fund 2020

The closing date for the Innovate Together Fund is Wed. 12th August with the Equality Fund closing on Sept. 14th.

LGBTI+ Community Services Funding Call
Minister McEntee and Minister O'Gorman announce 2020 LGBTI+ Community Services Funding Call. There are two streams of funding available.

PayPal Giving Fund Ireland
This fund helps people support their favourite charities online and raises funds to benefit charities through PayPal and other technology platforms.

Community Foundation of Ireland - Comic Relief Fund.
The funds raised through RTÉ does Comic Relief will focus on the recovery and rebuilding of Ireland. The fund will focus on supporting non-profit organisations that provide key services and supports to vulnerable individuals who have been affected by Covid-19 across the whole of the Republic of Ireland.