Neartú

Important Notice

• If you previously received funding through the Neartú scheme, you may submit an application for a two-year programme. New applicants may only submit an application for a one-year programme.
• Applications may be submitted for traditional arts OR drama/theatre OR both fields.
• If traditional arts AND drama/theatre are part of the plan, a breakdown of the costs associated with both fields must be provided in two separate budgets.

Background & Context of the Scheme

Young People have been identified as a priority in Ealaín na Gaeltachta’s Strategy 2023-2027 and Ealaín (na Gaeltachta) Teo. are working with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media to provide opportunities for participation in the arts for young people. The Cuisle programme is operating strategically to develop a traditional arts programme (traditional music, sean-nós dancing, sean-nós singing, oral arts – lúibíní (dialogue in song), agallamh beirte (spoken poetic dialogue), storytelling) and a youth drama/theatre programme in the Gaeltacht.

Who can apply?

Applications will be accepted through this scheme from organisations, groups or community committees in the Gaeltacht, who have the capacity to run an ongoing training programme and/or high-quality events, through Irish, for young people in the traditional arts (traditional music, sean-nós dance, sean-nós singing, spoken arts – lúibíní (dialogue in song), agallamh beirte (spoken poetic dialogue), storytelling) and/or in drama/theatre.

Applications will be accepted from the following:

Community groups, committees, and organisations that want to continue with the programme they are already running with support from Ealaín na Gaeltachta;

Community groups, committees, and organisations whose type of programme does not already exist in their Gaeltacht area and who wish to develop one.

Details & Aims of the Scheme

Under Scéim Neartú, we welcome applications that include:

• An ongoing training programme and/or events in which there will be regular provision of workshops/classes for young people in the traditional arts and/or drama/theatre.  Although the main aim of the Scheme is the regular provision of workshops/classes, the following aspects can also be taken into account:
• Activities to develop the voice of young people as part of the project, e.g. development of a Youth Committee, workshops, etc.;
• Workshops and informal events in the traditional arts and/or youth drama/theatre;
• Development of opportunities towards professional practices for young people in the traditional arts and/or drama/theatre;
• Connections to arts and community events in the area (including intergenerational projects);
• Development opportunities for the traditional arts and/or drama/theatre in the youth context (e.g. seminar, conference, etc.).

Level of funding available:

A maximum of €15,000 per year and per artistic field (Traditional Arts/Drama/Theatre for Young People) is available to applicants for the Scheme.

If you previously received funding through the Neartú scheme, you may submit an application for a two-year period. New applicants may only submit an application for a one-year programme.

For organisations already funded under Scéim Neartú, more than €15,000 can be approved in exceptional circumstances, provided that the strategic approach has been discussed in advance with Ealaín na Gaeltachta staff.  The amount of the grant awarded will depend on the programme/work plan proposed in the application, the experience of the group, and the budget available for the scheme.

N.B. It is essential to contact the Ealaín na Gaeltachta team before applying for this scheme. Send an email to cuisle@udaras.ie or ealain@udaras.ie.

Funding criteria:

1. Comprehensive Programme and Plan demonstrating the ability of the group/committee/organisation to set and achieve aims and goals related to the traditional arts and/or youth drama/theatre. Emphasis is placed on the development and long-term vision for the viability of the programme.
2. Equality of participation opportunities and an approach in which the voice of young people is heard and strongly developed.
3. Trained instructors/facilitators receiving appropriate fees.
4. Coordination and Administrative Ability – that the organisation/group/committee and staff have the ability to provide high-quality events and service. The following will be taken into account:
5. Administrative Capacity
6. Resources
7. The team’s expertise and experience in the field (Child Protection practice in particular, including Garda vetting)
8. Collaboration ability with groups/committees/language-planning officers/Gaeltacht recognition schools.
9. Use of Irish: Support will be given to programmes that will be provided and administered through Irish. This scheme is being run as a support to the implementation of the language-planning process. There is a particular emphasis on applications where there is a visible link with the local language plan and which shows a connection or advantage to the schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme through the approach and implementation of the programme.
10. An Assessment and Monitoring System through which continuous learning is carried out from the results of the programme.

Current Priorities of the Scheme

Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate they are filling a gap or exploring or developing a new area of activity in the context of traditional arts and/or drama/theatre for young people.

Conditions if your application is successful:

Applicants are advised to ensure that they will be able to meet the conditions below should the application be successful.

1. Only the applicant for whom the grant has been approved will be able to claim the financial assistance. Therefore, ensure that the applicant’s name is the same as the name on the bank account and tax clearance details, etc.
2. It is essential for all organisations involved with children and young people to have a Child Protection Policy with Child Protection Statements, Risk Assessment and the appropriate procedures in place, which adhere to the guidelines as set out in the Children First Act 2015. For help and current guidance regarding developing your policy and procedures, see Tusla, Child and Family Agency: www.tusla.ie. Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of compliance with the guidelines and forward a copy of their Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Statement with the application.
3. If any grant is approved, the applicant must co-operate with any assessment and monitoring process implemented by Ealaín na Gaeltachta.
4. It is a strict condition that Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media are given public recognition should your application be successful.  Logos are available on www.ealain.ie and must be displayed in any publication or promotional material.
5. If the financial assistance for this application is approved, the Ealaín na Gaeltachta report form will need to be completed and returned to the Arts Development Officer for Young People, as well as (at least) 6 photographs in digital form, for Ealaín na Gaeltachta’s miscellaneous use. It must be ensured that permission has been obtained in writing from parents/guardians if children appear in the photograph, and it must be ensured that permission has been obtained from the photographer before they are shared with us.
6. To claim the last portion of the grant, an auditor’s certificate confirming the total Income and Expenditure of the project will be required. Please note that this is a certificate from an auditor and nothing else will be accepted.

How to apply:

The application form below must be completed in full and the appropriate supporting material provided. It is advised that the application form is printed and sent to us along with a scan of the signed page and the appropriate supporting material by email.

NB It is essential to contact the Ealaín na Gaeltachta team before applying for this scheme by emailing cuisle@udaras.ie or ealain@udaras.ie

Accessibility 

If you have a disability and would like help to apply, please contact us at ealain@udaras.ie as soon as possible before the deadline.