Laois community groups gather for valuable funding workshop
Laois PPN hosted the workshop in Portlaoise
There was a great turnout for Laois PPN’s Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) Funding Workshop in Portlaoise recently.
Laois PPN, in collaboration with Laois County Council, held the workshop for community groups across the county at the GAA Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland.
The workshop demonstrated a high level of community engagement, bringing together representatives from a diverse range of local organisations interested in developing and enhancing outdoor recreation amenities within their communities.
The workshop ensured that community groups had access to valuable knowledge, practical guidance and up-to-date information on the ORIS funding programme. The ORIS funding workshop was delivered by Ann Marie Maher, Sports & Leisure Officer with Laois County Council.
All the participating community groups were registered members of Laois PPN. Participants gained a greater understanding of the funding process, eligibility criteria and the opportunities available to support local outdoor recreation projects.
Feedback received from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many community groups highlighting the value of the workshop in supporting them to identify potential funding opportunities and begin planning future projects that will benefit their local communities.
Laois County Council and Laois PPN thanked Laois GAA for hosting the workshop at the Centre of Excellence, which they said provided an excellent venue for the event.
Commenting on the workshop, Dan Bergin, Laois PPN Co-ordinator, said: “It was encouraging to see so many community groups from across County Laois coming together to learn more about the opportunities available through the ORIS programme.
“By working in partnership with Laois County Council, we are supporting communities to build the knowledge and capacity they need to access funding and develop projects that will deliver lasting benefits for local people.”
Leader of the workshop, Ann Marie Maher, Sports & Leisure Officer with Laois County Council, added: “The ORIS programme provides a valuable opportunity for Community Groups to develop outdoor recreation infrastructure that enhances health, wellbeing and quality of life.
“We were delighted to work in collaboration with Laois PPN to deliver this workshop and to see such a positive response from community groups across the county. By equipping groups with the knowledge and guidance needed to develop high-quality applications, we are helping communities maximise the opportunities available through the ORIS funding programme.”