National Association for the Promotion

Launch of the Celtic Community Link Project

The Celtic Community Link project, a Rural Development Initiative financed by the European Regional Development Fund which involves a partnership between Cartmanshire in Wales (CAVS) and Muintir na Tíre in Ireland was launched in St. Michael's Hall, Ballyduff Upper on the 4th of April, 2011. Click on the link to see some images from the launch.

Celtic Community Link Launch - Ballyduff Upper 04/04/2011

What is Celtic Community Link?

Meaning 'inter-regional', INTERREG, which is financed through the European Regional Development Fund, is an EU Community programme that aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion by promoting international and cross-border co-operation. The Ireland Wales Territorial Co-operation Programme 2007-2013 (INTERREG 4A) aims to further develop Irish Welsh co-operation in the areas of employment, innovation, climate change and sustainable development.

Celtic Community Link is a Rural Development Initiative based in South Tipperary & Waterford and Carmartenshire in Wales. The project seeks to determine the best method for the Third Sector to provide services to rural areas so that volunteers, community champions or potential social entrepreneurs do not have to travel to urban areas. This will encourage a greater uptake of volunteering and social enterprise activity in rural communities and improve their sustainability.
 

Main aims of the project are:

• To establish pilot outreach centres based in the project target communities.

• To identify gaps in service and information provision in the project target area.

• Provide rural communities with access to services and information in their own community through the use of innovative information technology.

• To provide a link between neighbouring communities to encourage the sharing of information and experise necessary for development.

• To improve the competitive advantage of rural communities.

• To encourage active participation by all members of communities in their own social and economic development.

   

Barriers to rural development include:

• Rural communities are naturally isolated and geographically removed from centrally based services.

• People have to travel long distances to access services.

• Rural isolation compounded by limited transport service.

• Unreliable broadband provision a barrier to information access and economic development.

• Rural enterprise development dependant on an infrastructure comparable to the urban equivalent.

Celtic Community Link will address the issues outlined previously by improving the competitive advantage of the target rural communities. Access to information and mobilising communities' own expertise and resources will stimulate social and economic development.

Celtic Community Link provides information and support for community groups/organisations and individuals in Co. Waterford. All queries regarding community development, enterprise development, service provision and sources of funding will be answered. The outreach service will be available in the following centres:

Celtic Community Link also provides information and support for community groups/organisations and individuals in South Tipperary. All queries regarding community development, enterprise development, service provision and sources of funding will be answered. Help is also given to individuals or groups wishing to learn more about Internet services such as ‘things to find or purchase on the internet, help to farmers registering calves on-line, how does SKYPE work and other queries.

Outreach Services now available include: