Make a difference in your community!

THIS IS your chance to make a difference in your community in County Wicklow by contributing to a more sustainable Ireland through the very successful Get Involved project.

Get Involved 2013 saw communities all over Ireland partner with their local newspapers to bring about real benefits in their area.

People formed groups and undertook a wide range of meaningful sustainable environmental projects.

This year, organisers Regional Newspapers and Printers Association of Ireland (RNPAI) and NNI Local and Regional Newspapers have been joined by the Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland (SEAI) as main sponsors of the 2014 nationwide Get Involved competition.

All successful entries will receive full support from this newspaper, including extensive publicity throughout the project and assistance identifying local expertise, sources of funding and other elements.

The competition will be judged by the chairman of the judging panel, broadcaster and environmentalist, Duncan Stewart, along with panel members Anja Murray, Independent Ecologist, and Davie Philip, Cultivate Community Resilience Programme.

Suggested projects include energy, water, food, nature/biodiversity, sustainable employment, ecotourism and resource efficiency

Over 1,386 volunteers participated in the Get Involved campaign last year, which saw local newspapers throughout the country team up with community groups to improve local areas.

Their Trojan effort, amounting to over 42,400 man hours, was highly praised by President Higgins who said those who had taken part were working together to improve their towns and villages, both for visitors but also for residents.

Speaking about the projects President Higgins said: ‘ They are uplifting reminders of the enthusiasm, innovation and all we can do together and the capacity that still exists in abundance in towns, villages and suburbs across the country.

‘That kind of active participation and the building of the dynamic of inclusive communities where everyone is encour- aged to play their part is very, very important.

Each of the 22 projects was championed by a local newspaper, and President Higgins said the regional press continue to play a hugely important role in communities around Ireland.

He also praised the support local newspapers provided to projects in the Get Involved campaign, which is the brainchild of the National Newspapers of Ireland Local and Regional and Regional Newspapers and Printers Association of Ireland.

Broadcaster and environmentalist Duncan Stewart, who chaired the 2013 judging panel, said the projects highlighted a shift in behaviour among communities across Ireland.

‘I believe we're on the cusp of a massive bottom-up revolution in this country.Project members like those in Get Involved will be the ones who pioneer this massive change.’

The winner of the inaugural Get Involved campaign for 2013 was St Brendan's National School in Kilmeena, Co Mayo. The school's project involved water conservation and sustainability and its organisers managed to get all of the children and the whole community, including residents and communities.

Entries must be received by Friday, April 18.