Tipperary Public Participation Network Champion Scholarship Programme BA Degree in Business, Enterprise and Community Development 2nd March 2017

Presentation Outline Rationale What is a ‘Champion’ PPN Champion Role Application Steps & Timeline

The Tipperary PPN Champion Scholarship Pilot Programme: recognises and rewards active citizenship motivates our members to become more involved in their Network builds the capacity of our members promotes shared learning provides practical support to community groups to access funding (in the form of creating a business plan for their organisation). A primary need identified for members. PPN Member Champion at District Level PPN as an educational conduit

What is a ‘Champion’? A Champion is anyone - a community leader, a concerned citizen, a volunteer - who works hard and well to start and/or support an initiative or intervention, to bring a program or idea to reality, or to otherwise improve the quality of life of a particular group or of the community as a whole. S/he might be a true community hero - an inspired visionary or s/he might be the volunteer who's always there and willing to do whatever has to be done to keep things going. Being a Champion is part of their definition of being a good citizen.

Champion Role 1. Facilitating the participation and representation of communities in a fair, equitable and transparent manner on decision making bodies (e.g. work alongside Municipal District PPNs and interact with the Local Authority at that level). 2. Strengthening the capacity of communities to contribute positively to the community in which they reside/participate (e.g. Provide practical support to community groups to access funding). 3. Providing information relevant to sectors and act as a hub around which information is distributed and received (e.g. Establish PPN as the recognised way of sharing information with the sector, and between member groups.)

Application Steps & Timeline Complete the Tipperary PPN Champion Scholarship Application form and send it to the address provided by the deadline: Monday 27th March 2017. If you pass the RoPL Interview you will then be called for an interview with the PPN Champion Scholarship Panel. Interviews will commence week beginning Monday 3rd April 2017. Have a ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ (RoPL) Interview with Equal Ireland Degree is due to start on Saturday 22nd April 2017.