Welcome to Co. Longford Community & Voluntary Forum

What Is The Purpose Of The County Longord Community And Voluntary Forum?

An integral part of the County Development Board process is the establishment and support of a County Longford Community & Voluntary Forum. The purpose of the County Longford Community and Voluntary Forum is to facilitate the representation of and participation by community and voluntary groups in matters relating to both Longford County Development Board and Longford County Council. It is also open to other constituent bodies of the Board to work through the Forum in matters relating to their own particular areas of responsibility or interest.

The County Longford Community and Voluntary Forum provides a mechanism for nominating community and voluntary representatives to various bodies such as the County Development Board, Longford Community Resources Ltd to mention but a few. The Forum recognises the significant contribution the voluntary and community sector make to local development and the potential for the Forum to co-operate with the social partners in further developments.

Main Activities 2008-2009

The Longford Community and Voluntary Forum have been highly active over the past twelve months. Some of the successes this year include: 

• Representing the Community and Voluntary sector at the County Development Board. 
• Representing the Community and Voluntary sector on Strategic Policy Committees in Longford County Council
• Representing the Community and Voluntary sector on local development agency Boards. 
•  Supporting and initiating an array of community interest projects. 
• Organising training seminars for community and voluntary groups

Achievements to Date
Networking & Communication 

• Developed A Newsletter
• Networking with local organisations to promote awareness and mutual understandings
• Open evening in Longford Golf Club December 2005
• Outside presentations to local community groups
• Arrange talks by local special issue groups

Training

• Active Citizenship and Voter Education Programme in conjunction with LCRL
• Assistance with capacity building with member groups
• Training on minute taking
• Group Facilitation
• Media Skills
• Developing training in creating efficient and effective inputs on policy issues that may require changes in relation to Strategic Policy Committees
  

Funding

• Information on supports to groups for funding
• Assisting individual groups in relation to funding applications
• Cohesion funding to develop volunteering in Longford in partnership with the Community Development Project and LCRL

Special Projects

• Insurance Scheme in partnership with Irish National Community & Voluntary Forum This scheme gives all affiliated members access to cheaper insurance quotes by quoting their specially allocated pin number issued to them by the Forum. The scheme has been extended to cover projects such as the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
• A research study was commissioned by the Forum to examine employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the county. Subsequent report was launched by Minister Michael Martin.
• Launch of Talking Newspaper in partnership with the National Council for the Blind.

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