RDC - News feedwww.rdc.org.uk/news/?itemid=4Ireland, UK and International IT news en-gb 06/09/2010 07:58:25 1 Consumer Council hosts Open Meetings on Public Spending Cuts http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=946&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 The Consumer Council is organising 2 open meetings during September to discuss cuts in public spending. It is an open meeting for consumers and you are encouraged to have your say on how these cuts may affect you, what you think should stay and what should go. Farm Family Options Call for Applications http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=945&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 The Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership is inviting applications from farming families for a third tranche of the Skills Training element of the Farm Family Options programme, funded under Axis 1 of the NI Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 Sixteen villages announced as 2010 Calor Village of the Year® Finalists http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=947&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 Sixteen villages across Northern Ireland will go head to head in the final of the prestigious 2010 Calor Village of the Year® Competition. BIG's New Director for Northern Ireland Outlines Community Recession Support http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=943&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 The Big Lottery Fund’s new Northern Ireland Director has pledged to continue to support communities most in need in a challenging time of recession and change. Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2010 http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=944&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 If you're aged 16-30 and have been running your own business for more than 3 months but less than 18 months, this annual competition could see you walk away with a £10,000 cash injection plus support from top PR agency Blue Rubicon at the Shell LiveWIRE LIVE! award final taking place in London on 13th October 2010. New Rural Transport Bus launched in Fermanagh http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=941&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew has launched a new low-floor minibus for Rural Lift, the Rural Community Transport Partnership which services the South West Fermanagh area. Cultural Parade in Riverstown, Co Sligo http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=940&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 On 31st July there will be a Cultural Parade held as part of the Morrison Festival in Riverstown, Co. Sligo. There will be different traditions of music representing different cultural traditions i.e. Sligo Pipe Band, Comhaltas Group Brookeborough, Comhaltas Group Riverstown, Samboeire, Samba Band, Murley Silver Band. The parade will begin at 12 noon from Sligo Folk Park to the Diamond Riverstown. Visitors from the Brookeborough area and all others who will join us for the day will be made very welcome. All Island Conference on Combating Rural Poverty and Social Inclusion http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=939&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 Pobal are organising an All Island Conference on Combating Poverty and Social Inclusion on 21st October 2010. Gildernew and McGimpsey launch initiative to improve health and well being in rural areas http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=938&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 A major initiative aimed at helping the most vulnerable households in rural areas has been launched by Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. NEW £2M STATE-OF-THE- ART FACILITIES OFFICIALLY OPENED AT GREENHILL YMCA http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=937&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 Greenhill YMCA residential outdoor education centre, officially opened its new state-of-the-art facilities in Newcastle. The event coincides with the relocation of YMCA’s traditional headquarters from College Square in Belfast to its Newcastle base offering the charity greater flexibility and cost savings and enabling it to broaden the reach of its services. Big Lottery Fund Reaching Out Programmes Launched http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=936&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 The Big Lottery Fund has launched its Reaching Out programmes - Empowering Young People and Connecting Older People - which will aim to invest up to £40 million to support older people and young people at risk. Countdown is on for 2010 Calor Village of the Year® Competition Entries http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=935&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 Rural communities across Northern Ireland are urged to complete their entries before Friday 2nd July deadline to be in with the chance of winning the prestigious 2010 Calor Village of the Year® title and a cash prize of £5,000. Good Relations Seminars for Integrating Communities Project Phase groups http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=934&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 Big Lottery Fund Opportunities http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=933&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 Big Lottery Fund has launched a new funding programme in Northern Ireland; Energy Efficient Venues. NIEA Natural Heritage Grants Programme Opens http://www.rdc.org.uk/news/default.asp?ID=932&itemId=4&topicId=&va=0 The revised NI Environment Agency (NIEA) Natural Heritage Grants Programme is open for applications.