Series of deadlines coming up with a great many opportunities on offer

As part of a two-year guided journey, schools have the opportunity to develop a Creative Schools Plan that is unique to their own school.

The Arts Council is offering practical supports, which will include a Creative Associate working with the school, training and a €4,000 grant towards activity arising from each Creative Schools Plan. The deadline for the Creative Schools 2024 opportunity is quickly approaching – 2 May 2024 at 5:30pm – and for more information email creativeschools@artscouncil.ie.

Another opportunity for schools is the Pollinator Project, run by Biodiversity in Schools, which is Ireland’s largest and longest running pollinator education programme for schools, now in its 13th year. Biodiversity in Schools is offering free workshops and free teaching kits for up to 4,000 young people across Ireland to help them become pollinator ambassadors for their school.

All schools can also take a ‘pollinator pledge’ and can furthermore enter a social media competition for schools and families that looks for outstanding pollinator work. Prizes include a €500 biodiversity fund as well as the brand-new Gold Bee Trophy for one lucky school. For further information visit https://www.biodiversityinschools.com/pollinator-project.html.

ALL-IRELAND HERITAGE SKILLS PROGRAMME

In terms of other projects and initiatives, there are three with closing dates over the next week.

The first of these is the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. Developed by The King’s Foundation in partnership with the Heritage Council and Northern Ireland’s Department for Communities, this programme will welcome seven aspiring craftspeople with an interest in heritage skills, who will work on historic buildings and sites throughout the island of Ireland.

The course will begin in July 2024 and has been specifically developed to meet the demand for upskilling in heritage building skills in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to spend 12 months engaging in collaborative learning experiences while honing their heritage craft skills and gaining invaluable experience working on historic sites.

The course will help preserve skills that are at risk of being lost, such as traditional carpentry, lime work, thatching, blacksmithing and stonemasonry.

To ensure it is accessible to all, successful applicants will receive a full scholarship and will be provided with a monthly bursary to help cover the cost of travel and accommodation.

Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, said: “At a time when the supply of skilled heritage craftspeople is on the decline, it is imperative that we create a space for the next generation to learn, to grow and to flourish. The All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme stands as a beacon in preserving and fostering these invaluable crafts and is the only programme of its kind currently operating.

“By providing a platform for the course participants to hone their skills and elevate their craft, we ensure that our heritage continues to thrive and enrich future generations.”

Applications for The All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme are open until 5pm on Monday 22nd April 2024. To apply, or to find out more, visit the page on the King’s Foundation website. More information and a video regarding the initiative is available at https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/news/news-features/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme-launched.

CORK COUNTY COUNCIL’S CIRCULAR ECONOMY FUND

The second initiative with a closing date later this week is Cork County Council’s Circular Economy Fund.

This is a new scheme open to schools, community groups, sports clubs and festival organisers which aims to support communities to move away from the traditional linear ‘take-make-use-dispose’ model towards more circular living where resources are reused or recycled as much as possible, and the generation of waste is minimised.

The fund builds on the successful engagement between Cork County Council and communities in recent years which has seen 35 water refill stations installed in schools and community buildings across Cork county as well as mobile hydration stations piloted at events.

With an increasing demand from the public to reduce single use plastics and a desire from communities to act, this fund will support the installation of temporary or permanent water refill stations in schools, community buildings, sports clubs and at festivals, reducing the environmental impacts of single use plastics.

Applications for the Circular Economy Fund will be accepted until Thursday 25th April at 5pm. For more information and to apply, visit www.yourcouncil.ie.

TOURISM POLICY FRAMEWORK

The third deadline this coming week is 5pm on Friday 26th April, which is the deadline for people to give voice to the future of Irish tourism by way of an online survey regarding a new Tourism Policy Framework for the period to 2030.

While the tourism sector has faced incredible challenges in recent years, it has played a key part in Ireland’s economic recovery. The new Policy Framework will aim to provide the foundations to ensure this strong performance continues in the years ahead but also that tourism is founded on sustainable principles and plays its part in achieving national climate targets.

Minister Martin said: “Tourism remains one of Ireland’s most important economic sectors and it supports jobs in every community across the country. In the coming months, I will publish a new Tourism Policy Framework to shape how our tourism industry develops in the period to 2030.

“In this regard, while I want to see the sector grow I want it to do so in a manner that is consistent with our broader sustainability targets and ensure Ireland is a brand leader in sustainable tourism practices. The new Policy Framework will seek to support sustainable tourism development in communities throughout the country, protect our natural resources while also achieving a reduction in overall tourism sector carbon emissions.

“I urge everyone to have their say in this regard including those directly involved in the sector.”

This public consultation builds on previous focused sectoral and stakeholder consultation across the tourism sector. The questionnaire itself is primarily based on the guiding principles of the report of the Sustainable Tourism Working Group, established under the Tourism Action Plan 2019-2021 but also provides an opportunity for the public to provide any other views on what should be included in the new Policy Framework.

Amongst the topics covered in the questionnaire are how to encourage tourists to visit less established destinations and to travel outside of peak season but also how to reduce the carbon footprint of the sector. Respondents are also asked their views on how to protect Ireland’s natural and heritage assets.

The full survey can be accessed at https:// ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/TourismPolicy2024.