Guidelines for the Leitrim Sports Partnership Volunteer Supports Programme.
 
The Volunteer Support Programme by Leitrim Sports Partnership aims to foster a greater number of individuals taking up leadership roles in promoting sports and physical activity within their communities. The program also seeks to assist clubs in enhancing the skills of both new and existing coaches and volunteers, ultimately encouraging higher participation in sports and physical activities.

To achieve these objectives, the program will provide training and education courses to support volunteers in their development as community leaders and coaches in sports and physical activities. Clubs have the opportunity to receive financial support of up to 75% each to cover the costs of training and education for their volunteers.

Eligible applicants for this program are sports clubs and organisations/community groups that provide physical activity opportunities within Leitrim. Priority consideration will be given to applicants operating in disadvantaged areas or working with individuals with disabilities.

Programmes which aim to improve the standard of participation in, and technical knowledge of the activity concerned (e.g., coach education, committee and/or volunteer education, administration, and management courses etc., presenter’s fees for accredited courses and course fees for accredited courses by a recognised body may be funded) (*Max €800).

Applications for the Volunteer Support Programme will be accepted until 4pm on Monday 10th June 2024, and the grant announcement is scheduled for July. Clubs will participate in a competitive application process, where they will outline the proposed training and education courses and highlight the benefits this will bring to their club and volunteers.

Eligible applicants must be registered to a National Governing Body (NGB) and based in Leitrim, operating as "not for profit." They must also demonstrate the need for additional training and education and explain how it will lead to sustained participation in sports and physical activities.

Ineligible applications include those from individuals, national/regional/county governing bodies, statutory agencies, for-profit groups/commercial organisations, private facility owners, clubs based outside of County Leitrim, and clubs not affiliated with a National Governing Body. Additionally, applications from community organisations/schools not linked with a club will not be considered.

The eligible courses for funding include sports-specific coach education, committee and volunteer education, administration and management courses, child protection, first aid, and accredited courses by Sport Ireland Coaching or a National Governing Body of Sport. Courses outside Ireland or those delivered by unrecognized bodies are not eligible for funding.

Some Sample courses:

Disability Inclusion Training – Active Disability Ireland

First Aid Course/AED – Accredited provider

Physical Literacy – Sport Ireland coaching

GYMStart – Gymnastics Ireland

GAA ward 1 Youth/Adult Coaching Course

FAI UEFA A & B Licensed Course

Applicants are encouraged to propose courses that align with the needs of their club/organisation and directly contribute to its development and growth. The costs of course and workshop delivery are the responsibility of the applicant, and they should confirm these with each provider.

Priority in evaluation will be given to applications from disadvantaged areas and those targeting specific groups such as older adults, women, teenage girls, disadvantaged communities, and people with disabilities. The ability of the applicant to generate their own funds to support course delivery will also be considered.

Please note that meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding, as the fund is limited, and eligible applications will be evaluated competitively. The decisions of the grant subcommittee are final.

All grantee nominees will have to pay the total costs of the courses up front, then they can claim 75% of the grant after the courses are completed and the receipts are submitted to Leitrim Sports Partnership.

Successful applicants will be required to submit an expenditure report with supporting receipts within six months of receiving their grant. Failure to do so will result in exclusion from this round of Volunteer Supports Programme funding.

Applicants must provide their tax number or charity number for all grants and acknowledge Leitrim Sports Partnership as a funding source in their publications, leaflets, signage, and online materials if they receive the grant.

The application form includes various questions that must be completed, covering details about the applicant, proposed courses/workshops, costs, community impact, and other relevant information.

We aim to promote a culture of fairness and equal opportunity, ensuring an equitable allocation of funds throughout the county.

For any enquiries or to apply, please fill out the application form and submit it during the designated period. For further information, please contact Leitrim Sports Partnership on 071 9650498 or email lspgrantfunding@leitrimcoco.ie