Global Action Plan, Ireland

GAP Calendar Competition: “Ballymun Framed”

“Ballymun Framed” is a photo calendar competition aimed at engaging young people in Ballymun to think about their local environment in a creative and exciting way. The initiative is run by Global Action Plan (GAP) as part of its Youth programme and funded by Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL). The theme for this year’s competition was “Trees and Nature” to celebrate the 2011 United Nations International Year of Forests.
The competition had over 250 entries from people aged under 21 in Ballymun. The photos were judged on three elements; the quality of the photo, environmental message and originality. Grainne Breen and Nicole Nolan from the IKEA marketing and environmental team kindly donated their time to judge the competition.

The three most outstanding photos were given a digital camera as their prize and a further nine outstanding photos were selected for the calendar. All entries received a certificate of recognition.
The calendar is a snapshot of impressions taken by young people in Ballymun during 2011. It also serves as a reminder of important environmental dates throughout the year and gives helpful green tips every month.

To get a copy contact Global Action Plan on 01 8628546.

“I love the beautiful colour of the flowers” – Jerome Kavanagh, Holy Spirit Aisling Project - One of the top prize winners Ballymun Photo Calendar Competition 2011

Holy Spirit Girls National School Green Schools Committee "The Beauty of Nature" - One of the top prize winners Ballymun Photo Calendar Competition 2011

“Plunkett Tower grows out of the Wild Flower Meadow” Holy Spirit Boys National School 6th class - One of the top prize winners Ballymun Photo Calendar Competition 2011

GAP Celebrate Park Stewardship Programme’s 1st Year

To celebrate the first year of the Park Stewardship Programme in Ballymun Global Action Plan Ireland hosted an awards event in St. Joseph’s Senior National School. The third class pupils in St. Joseph’s National School have successfully completed this new programme, and have greatly enhanced their local Balcurris park. Councillor Bill Tormey officiated the event, and made a speech about the importance of parks to local communities, and celebrated the biodiversity and community culture associated with parks in Ballymun. The 3rd class pupils were awarded certificates, and the art-work they created in Balcurris during the project was exhibited, along with photographs of their work throughout the project.

Global Action Plan Ireland launched the exciting new initiative, the Park Stewardship programme, this year, which engages local national schools in positive engagement with their local parks. The aim of this programme is to engage local young people in supporting the long-term care and protection of local parks in Ballymun. The programme (funded by Ballymun Regeneration Limited) focused this year on Coultry, Poppintree and Balcurris parks in conjunction with Gaelscoil Ballymunna, Holy Spirit Girls and St. Josephs Senior National Schools in Ballymun.

Activities include planting native Irish trees, summer and winter bulbs, and creating butterfly gardens in the parks. Actively engaging young people in Ballymun in the creation and maintenance of biodiversity in their parks is a central aim of this programme.

Other activities include creating art in the park out of biodegradable materials, which allows the participants to creatively engage with public spaces in Ballymun.

Throughout the project we will also linked with other community stakeholders, for example the Tidy Towns Committee and the local community Gardai. Educational nature trails and species identification also form an important part of the programme, as well as examining and enjoying biodiversity in other parks and gardens such as Santry Forrest.

This programme encourages respect and ownership of the parks, as well as a knowledge and understanding of the biodiversity that exists in the parks in Ballymun.

Thank You to Accenture

A big thanks to Accenture who nominated Global Action Plan Ireland as their Charity Partner for the National Procurement Awards Event, last Thursday the 17th of November 2011.

The funds raised will be used to run interactive awareness-raising ‘Green Days’ reaching up to 1000 young people in Ireland. In a nominated school and University, students will use a Carbon Gym, and educational activities and games to bring environmental issues to life in an engaging and meaningful way.

The Green Days will enable young people to understand and be aware of their individual environmental impact, and the action they can take every day to reduce it. There will also be the opportunity for them to discuss how students can enter the green employment sector, which complements Accenture’s ‘Skills to Succeed’ Corporate Citizenship programme.

Coca-Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund

Global Action Plan have been shortlisted for the Coca-Cola 125 Years Thank You Fund. Funding will be used to deliver a series of workshops throughout the country with the GAP Energy Bike & Carbon Gym. During the workshops, participants will have an opportunity to use each piece of equipment while facilitators deliver the key messages of energy use and CO2 emissions in a profound and indisputable way.

Please vote for us by using the link below.

http://www.coca-cola.ie/125-thank-you-fund/thank-you-fund-voting-form.html

Green Living Programme

The next Green Living Programme in Poppintree Community Centre starts at the end of September.

Take part and help to protect the environment and make your personal area environmentally friendly.

For more information or book a place please contact Orla Kelly or Kathleen Donnelly on (01)8625846