Community has always been important to us here is Ireland. We might be famous for our globe-trotting ways but we are passionate about our home turf – in the most local sense. Get Involved encourages communities to come together to preserve the best aspects of their local areas, to protect their environment and to create local jobs.
It’s an initiative that’s built around a competition. Since 2013, projects all over Ireland have competed to share in a significant prize fund. In 2017/18 the winning projects will share a fund of €17,000. However, above and beyond the competition, Get Involved is about encouraging people to take positive action and to become responsible for their local areas.
Projects gain enormous support through Get Involved. The initiative was developed by Local Ireland, a group that represents 43 local newspapers and each of the Get Involved projects is paired with one of these local news brands. The partner newspaper provides coverage of the project as work progresses and sometimes even offers hands on assistance too!
Local Ireland, our newspaper members and our sponsor, SEAI are extremely proud of Get Involved. The initiative brings clear benefits to local economies and the environment by helping communities to become low-carbon, resource-efficient and economically resilient.
Get Involved 2018 will focus on the following four areas:
It should be noted that projects do not need to be completed by the end of the calendar year. However clear and demonstrable project progress will have to be proven as will fulfilment of the judging criteria. Projects that are already established and working to clear defined plan are also eligible to enter. The competition will be judged by a panel or four, including a representative of SEAI and will be chaired by broadcaster and environmentalist, Duncan Stewart.
The Prizes
Category winners will receive €2,000 with the overall winner receiving an additional €3,000
2nd placed entries in each category will receive €1,000
3rd Placed entries in each category will receive €500
Last Year’s Winners
Broadford and Ashford Walking Trails, Co. Limerick and St. Patrick’s Boys National School, Skibbereen Sensory Garden were joint winners and each shared €3,000.
Timeframes
Get in touch
If you have any queries please contact us at info@get-involved.ie
Or Johnny O’Hanlon, johanlon@localireland.info