The seminars takes place in -
Innishannon on Friday 24^th of February, 2012 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Skibbereen on Monday 27^th of February, 2012 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Digital Business: improve efficiency | increase profits

If  you are looking to increase productivity, reduce costs, improve online marketing and gain a competitive edge for your small business then this seminar is for you.

The internet, social media, communication and collaboration technologies are transforming the way companies do business. Digital tools and techniques are affordable, effective and can revolutionise your small business. Find out how in this unique 1 day seminar with online communications and marketing specialists Alfie Keary and Calvin Jones.

Morning Session: Digital Marketing

• Get more from every marketing Euro
• Understand your online customers
• Improve your search engine rankings
• Connect and engage with your customers using social media and e-mail marketing
• Reach more people with the viral potential of online networks

Afternoon Session: Digital Communications

• Control your time, travel & carbon costs
• Extend your business reach
• Deliver superior services
• Make faster, smarter decisions and do business more efficiently and effectively
• Connect with staff, clients and business partners in real time regardless of location

Attendance at a seminar costs €15 and includes lunch. Places at each seminar are on an application basis only. Closing date for applications is Wednesday, February 22nd. Please contact David Tuohy in the West Cork Development Partnership on 023 8834035 or complete the form below.

The IWDG approached the WCDP with an application for funding to carry out research on the photo ID, expansion of sampling, land and boat based monitoring to establish whale species diversity, seasonal trends and distribution and status of the cetacean species living in West Cork waters. In order to ensure that whale watching is sustainable in the long term, the IWDG argued that it is of utmost importance that structures underpinning the growth of the whale watching industry are put in place while it is still in its infancy.

The WCDP awarded grant aid of €7100. The subsequent IWDG Large Whale Photo-Identification Study is available to view and download.

In 2010, dairy farmer Pat Kelleher approached the West Cork Development Partnership with a project proposal to develop the tyre processing plant he started on his farm. Pat was looking for grant aid to purchase a baler and weigh bridge. The investment he received has greatly improved the efficiency of the on-farm business. If you have an idea for a non-agricultural business on your farm please contact Food, Fisheries & Farming Development Officer Kevin Santry at 023 8834035

It all started in October 2009 when Cadogan’s Strand Coastcare Group in Schull came together to clean-up and create a picnic area in where is known locally as Cadogan’s Strand, to the east of the village of Schull. They applied to WCDP for assistance towards this project, and were approved grant assistance of €44,200 (75%) with local funds of €15,000 (25%).  In the beginning the group had a vision for how they would develop the beach amenity, however through Schull Tidy Towns the opportunity arose to enter a competition for Diarmuid Gavin to design the garden. In early 2010 they found out they had won the competition!

With Diarmuid now on board, the project design took on a life of its own. Diarmuid brought a new vision that increased the scale, scope and budget of the project. The group spent many hours fundraising for their new amenity, while at the same time working on building what became known as Trá an Oileáin. The group have created a fantastic amenity for their village with picnic areas, seating taking advantage of the view out of the harbour and access to the water for small watercraft. Since the opening of the Garden in November 2010, the group have won many awards –just last month they won the Co-Operation Ireland All Island Pride of Place for Best Community Tourism Project.  The group had a vision, with some hard work and determination they have achieved A Garden for the entire community of Schull.

Take a look at the project in action here.

Mary Keohane runs a beef enterprise on her 70 acre farm at Derrinkealig, Bantry. In 2009 Mary approached WCDP in relation to her proposal to develop a Driving Campus on her land that would provide users with a complete driving experience. This would include a full education package, whilst also providing a safe and fully licensed area for young adults from the age of 14-17 years to learn how to drive safely, and be safe when learning how to drive. Mary’s vision for a Driving academy came about when her eldest daughter started to learn how to drive, she feared for her safety as she had no previous experience of driving on a public road. After undertaking research Mary found that there was no facility in the country where young people from the ages of 14-17 years could learn to drive. The proposal would also enable young people to intensify their learning experience and be part of a development in the provision of safe, responsible road use.  For further information please visit www.bantrydrivingacademy.ie.  WCDP approved grant assistance of €134,300 (50%) to support this project.

The closing date for applications is 29th February 2012.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The course would be most suitable for individuals and groups who may either have ideas for projects to promote heritage or who are seeking to rejuvenate existing projects. The course would also have a broad appeal for individuals with an interest in local heritage.

 DURATION

This course will be on Tuesday nights from 7pm-10pm.

 PROPOSED DATES OF TRAINING

Tuesday, 14th February to Tuesday 24th April

 COST OF TRAINING

The fee for this course is €50

LOCATION: INNISHANNON

APPLICATION PROCESS

There is an application form available to apply to participate in this course. Please return by Thursday, 9th February.

Aim of the Course:

-        To develop an understanding of the need for care and maintenance of local heritage in its widest context.

-        To provide practical information and training in relation to the care and maintenance of local heritage.

-        To encourage and integrated approach to the care of local heritage.

-        To promote best practice in the care of local heritage.

-        To enhance the capacity of local groups to work effectively as teams to undertake appropriate care of local heritage.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Introduction to heritage

Heritage: an introduction; Sources for research; Understanding and protecting natural heritage; Introduction to Archaeology; Heritage Presentation & Interpretation; Commemoration through Public Art; Architectural and built heritage: An introduction; Legal framework for heritage protection.

Tuesday February 21st, 28th & March 6th, 13th & 20th

Saturday March 3rd (10am—4pm) Fieldtrip—Exploring local heritage

Module 2: Care & Maintenance of Heritage

Care and Maintenance of Archaeological and historic sites; Conserving built heritage—theory and practice; Recording Local Heritage; Place-name and local identity. Workshop 1—Review of project research

Tuesday March 27th & April 3rd

Saturday March 31st (10am—4pm) Field trip—Issues in heritage management

Module 3: Capacity Building

Workshop 2—Village & Area Enhancement; Making A Heritage Plan; Funding heritage Projects; Walking Routes & Trails; Course review & presentation of certificates.

Tuesday April 17th, 24th & May 1st

For further information on this course, please contact Lisa Cashman at 023 8834035 or lisac@wcdp.ie.

About National Tree Week 2012

National Tree Week is an annual, week-long festival celebrating all positive aspects of trees in our lives and environment.  It is organised by the Tree Council of Ireland.
National Tree Week takes place from 4-10 March 2012.  The theme is ‘Trees – Our Past, Our Present, Our Future’.  During National Tree Week, as well as prompting people to plant more trees, we are asking people to celebrate our remarkable heritage of trees and woodlands and to recognise the significance of trees and forests as a living link to our past, as an enjoyable, life-enhancing asset in the present, and as a wise investment in our future.
National Tree Week is an opportune chance for Tree Council member organisations, local authorities, tidy towns and community groups, schools, families and many others all over Ireland to do something positive for their local landscape.  By setting up events for National Tree Week within your community or organisation, you can inspire people, young and old, to get out into the fresh air and together plant thousands of trees.  It is great fun too – even on a wet blustery day, the thrill of going out and getting your hands dirty, something many of us don’t do often enough, is really rewarding and satisfying whether you are planting one tree or a hundred.
One of the main projects of National Tree Week 2012 is the distribution of over 15,000 trees, sponsored by Coillte, and distributed by local authorities throughout the country to local community groups and schools for planting during and around National Tree Week.  If your school or community group would like to receive some of these trees for planting during National Tree Week, contact your local County or City Council.

How To Get Involved

To be part of National Tree Week, the Tree Council of Ireland invites you to organise one or more events for the week to celebrate trees. As well as tree planting ceremonies, the range of events can include forest and woodland walks, nature trails, workshops, woodturning displays, talks, tree hugging, tree climbing, broadcasts, launches, poetry readings, exhibitions, dramas, competitions and tree plantathons where communities are challenged to plant a target number of trees on a designated local site over a fixed time period. Don’t forget to register your event, so that other people can come and join you! Visit the Tree Council of Ireland Website for the Cork Environmental Forum more details or Register your event here.

January 2012 – WCDP Public Information Meetings

With over 250 people turning out across 4 locations, the January WCDP Public Information Meetings really showed the appetite amongst the West Cork public to get on and do things.Whether it was community groups with new project proposals or people considering developing or expanding a business it was heartening to see that the mood was very much positive and optimistic.

The workshops were an opportunity to learn more about the work of the WCDP – particularly the work being done under the Rural Development Programe.
Under the Rural Development Programme the West Cork Development Partnership have funded numerous community and private projects throughout West Cork over the last number of years – in showcasing some of these projects we hope to inspire the confidence in others to take on their project ideas in 2012.

For information about WCDP and on projects funded to date please visit www.wcdp.ie/rdp-project-allocations

If you would like to speak with one of our staff about a project of your own please contact us on 0238834035 or email info@wcdp.ie

Date: Thursday 9th February 2012
Venue: County Hall, Floor 16, Carrigrohane Road, Cork

The draft national strategy for sustainable development is open for public consultation until 29th February 2012. This provides an opportunity for all pillars of society to come together to explore, discuss and inform on challenges, conflicts and solutions and review the national document on sustainable development.

Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We plan to create an opportunity for an open and frank discussion whilst collecting and respecting diverse opinions. The aim of the day is to create a declaration that can be used in whole or in part by the various organisations represented on the day to prepare for submissions to the Department.

“Vision without action is a daydream; action without vision is a nightmare.” Japanese proverb

This is currently in draft format and is therefore subject to change
* Confirmed Speaker
Social Media Used will include LinkedIn
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1166530870&ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Public-
Consultation-for-A-Framework-for-Sustainable-Development-in-
Ireland/352068001470810
Twitter: shirleyatsyspro

SCHEDULE:
9.00-9.20 Registration with T/C
9.20-9.25 Opening Address by Dr Shirley Gallagher*
9.25-9.45 Welcome from County/City Manager/VEC/Mayors
9.45-10.15 Introduction to Sustainable Development by Michael Ewing,* Chairman of Environment Pillar

10.15-11.45 World Café Style Discussions on Challenges 1-4
Topic:
1 Sustainability of Public Finances & Economic Resilience. Gerry Meagher
2 Sustainable Consumption & Production. Enda Kiernan *
3 Conservation & Management of Natural Resources. Bill Liao
4 Climate Change & Clean Energy. John Mullins

11.25-11.45 Summary by each Facilitator

11.45-13.15 World Café Style Discussions on Challenges 5-8
Topic:
5 Sustainable Agriculture. Virginia Stearns *
6 Sustainable Transport. Conaill Mac Aonghusa*
7 Social Inclusion, Sustainable communities’ & Spatial Planning. Andrew Hind *
8 Public Health. TBC

12.55-13.15 Summary by each Facilitator
13.15-13.45 Lunch

13.45-15.15 World Café Style Discussions on Challenges
Topic:
9 Education, Communication & Behaviour Change. Thomas Reidmuller*
10 Innovation, Research & Development. TBC
11 Skills & Training.  Ted Owens
12 Global Poverty & Sustainable Development. Jose Ospina*

14.55-15.15 Summary by each Facilitator
15.15-15.40 T/C
15.40-16.45 Creation of Declaration of Opinion