Ballygowan plays host to EDRCN 14th AGM.

Down Diversity in Action Forum

Job opportunities with East Down Rural Community Network.

Axis 1 - information evenings

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has launched a new £400,000 Rural Challenge Programme. The programme invites community/voluntary groups to identify a local need and propose an initiative that will address poverty and social exclusion within their rural community. This programme was developed as a direct response to issues identified in the Rural Anti-Poverty and Social Exclusion Framework developed during 2008/2009.

Grant assistance, up to a maximum of £5,000, will be made available to 80 community/voluntary groups to address the issues identified. Projects must focus on one of the eight target groups identified when developing the programme. These are:-

Children & Young People;

Lone Parents;

Unemployed;

Disabled;

Carers;

Elderly;

Ethnic Minorities; and

Low Paid Workers

Preliminary research also indicated that the following themes are most relevant to those experiencing poverty and social exclusion:-

Health & Well Being

Education

Housing Issues

Transport & Access

Employment

Low Pay

Social & Recreational Opportunities (linked to Health and Well Being)

Enabling delivery of local services in conjunction with service providers.

Full details of the Rural Challenge programme are outlined in the application packs which are available from:-

http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/grants-and-funding/rural-development-funding/rural-development-funding-rural-challenge-programme.htm

Louth Women's Network visit the Ards Peninsula.

New Family Support Panel

Northern Walking Partnership organise walks in the Mourne/Co. Down and the Causeway Coast/Glens of Antrim areas. There are different grades and distances to suit all levels of fitness. For further information about their full walks programme log on to:

East down Rural Community Network was delighted to recently achieve ISO9001 certification for its services around supporting rural communities.

East Down Rural Community Network in partnership with Down Diversity in Action Forum holds East Meets West Network Event celebrating the the diverse cultural traditions within Northern Ireland as part of Polish Cultural Week.

"A Different bank for People who want a different world".

Rural Development Consultation

The Ballywalter Intergenerational Project is a reminiscence and recall project involving members of the Ballywalter seniors group and P7 children from the local primary school. The theme of the project is 'Ballywalter Now and Then'. Its aim is to record the history of Ballywalter as told by senior residents with help from Ballywalter P.S. This will be in the form of a booklet sourced, designed and written by the participants.