Creative Youth

Cruinniú na nÓg - Saturday 8th June 2024

Opens for applications: 09 December 2024
Closing date for applications: 23 February 2025

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Do you have an exciting idea for a creative project or event for children and young people that you would like to see happen as part of Cruinniú na nÓg - the national day of creativity for children and young people?

We are now open for children’s groups, arts centres, or any organisation that works with young people to apply for funding to develop a project that allows children and young people to explore, enhance or celebrate their own creativity.

If you work with children and young people, this is a great opportunity to develop something really special. It’s vital that the children are involved in deciding what is happening so have a chat with them and see what they’re interested in and develop a plan together. Perhaps they’ve always wanted to make a film, do some incredible science experiments, or explore their own community in a creative way. If you’ve got an idea, we can help make it happen.
If you’re a theatre company, arts centre, or involved in creativity in some other way and are looking to engage a new young people, this is also a great opportunity to make that happen.
If you’re an artist that works with children and would like to get involved, contact a group that works with children and see if they’d like to work with you.

Events can take all shapes and sizes from visual and performing arts activities, to activities that explore your town, the environment, heritage, culture, science or technology through creativity or in a creative way. The emphasis should be on ‘doing’, ‘making’, ‘creating’. All events should be free and focused on children and young people (up to 18), and we particularly welcome applications that gives access to groups of children who haven’t had such opportunities before.

If you are interested in organising an event, Leitrim County Council can provide financial support towards the costs – particularly the costs of hiring artists or other professional practitioners, and towards the costs of materials. *It is important to note that while the applicant organisation must be based within County Leitrim, the creative practitioner(s) can be from anywhere.

Grants will typically be in the region of €500 to €2,500.
Grants can cover up to 100% of the costs of events happening on the day that are open to the public or that young people can book to take part in.
Grants can cover up to 70% of the costs of events for groups that aren’t open to the wider public (such as school groups, scout groups etc.).

While there is no fixed number of awards, there will generally be a larger number of lesser value awards and a small number of higher value ones. Depending on the number of applications received, it may not be possible to fund all applicants and available funding will be allocated to those applications which best meet the objectives of the programme.

We’re here to help

If you have an idea for a project or need assistance or further information to get started, please contact Alice Dixon, Creative Communities Engagement Officer, on alice.dixon@leitrimcoco.ie or contact Leitrim County Council on 071 96 20005 Ext 419.

How to apply

Please note that the following attachments are essential, and you will need to have them ready to upload for your online application to be submitted successfully.

Income and Expenditure Budget
CVs for each professional practitioner(s) facilitating the project
Copy of Child Protection Policy

How are applications assessed?

Project applications are primarily assessed on the extent to which children get to explore their creativity. To be successful applicants must be clear about who the participants will be and how they are benefiting. All applications are assessed using the following criteria:

The extent to which children get to explore their own creativity.
Quality, innovation and creativity of the planned project.
Level of skills and expertise of creative professionals engaged in the project.
Proven ability of the applicants to undertake and manage such projects.
Value for money

In addition to the main priority of supporting creativity, projects are also assessed on the basis of how well they address other cross-cutting priorities including...

The extend to which the project supports equality, diversity and inclusion.
The extend to which the project addresses the challenge of climate change.

Payments to successful applicants will be made by electronic fund transfer only. Recipients of awards in excess of €1,000 may drawdown 50% of the award following selection if necessary. Following completion of the project, all successful applicants must complete a short report and provide evidence that the event has taken place (photographs, press reviews etc.), final accounts, and receipts for the full costs.

If you have an idea for a project or need assistance or further information to get started, please contact Alice Dixon, Creative Communities Engagement Officer, at alice.dixon@leitrimcoco.ie or contact Leitrim County Council on 071 96 20005 Ext 419.