Tuesday, 11 August 2015 NEWS 25 INVGET LVED Your Local Newspaper Community Project 2015 Annestown Beach. Copper Coast Geopark enters ‘Get Involved’ 2015 KIERAN FOLEY REPORTS Second place, with a bursary meet local and community of €1,000, went to Energy needs in an innovative and col- Communities Tipperary in laborative way. THE Munster Express has association with the Nenagh The Munster Express will teamed up with the Copper Guardian newspaper. highlight the developments Coast Geopark as part of Third place (€500 each) taking place along the Copper the 2015 ‘Get Involved’ was shared between Transition Coast Geopark as part of this competition. Kerry, in association with The year’s competition. ‘Get Involved’ is a sustain- Kerryman newspaper and the The Copper Coast Geopark able communities initiative Abbeyleix Bog Project (ABP), was founded by local people developed by 51 local newspa- in association with the Laois whose goal is to create jobs pers throughout Ireland and is a Nationalist newspaper. through the development of way for local communities all In 2013, The Munster sustainable tourism. over Ireland to work together Express supported Tramore The ultimate aim of the to improve their own lives, Tidy Towns as part of ‘Get organisation is to spearhead create local jobs, and protect Involved’, highlighting the sustainable tourism that devel- Bonmahon Beach. the environment. group’s ongoing work. ops and promotes the region, In 2015, local newspapers This year there is €12,000 strengthens the local economy with the support of the Sus- worth of bursaries available to and improves the visitor tainable Energy Authority winning projects. experience. in association with of Ireland (SEAI) and Clann ‘Get Involved’ 2015, sets out The Copper Coast is a 90 Credo will drive voluntary to inspire and stimulate com- square kilometre stretch of sustainability projects where munity collaboration through coastline between Tramore and citizens will collectively play a voluntary efforts and to foster Dungarvan and is the smallest more pro-active, inclusive and ‘green’ and ‘social impact’ Geopark in the world. coherent role in shaping the enterprises, to build local resil- The area is characterised future of their local environs. ience and generate new and by rugged cliff-edged shore- The Munster Express sustainable livelihoods. lines and unique geological believes that the ongoing efforts The judging criteria will formations. of all involved with the Copper focus on the following eight The Geopark’s Visitor Centre Coast Geopark perfectly encap- areas. in Bonmahon features a geo- sulate the aims and objectives Energy: Community Co-ops logical and mining heritage of the ‘Get Involved’ project. in local energy. Through exhibition, a gift shop and café. ‘Get Involved’ brings clear ‘Energy Effi ciency’ building The area was awarded Euro- benefi ts to the local economy retrofi ts and producing ‘Renew- pean Geopark status in 2001 and the local environment by able Fuels’ for local use in heat, and registered as Company transforming to a ‘low-carbon, transport and power. Limited by Guarantee with Wildlife Walk resource-effi cient, economic Food: Growing and process- charitable status in 2004. resilient’ society. ing local food produce for the Global Geopark status under With Albert Nolan Last year’s projects illus- needs of community through the auspices of UNESCO was trated just how enthusiastic and local community food co-ops. obtained in 2004. creative communities can be. Nature/Biodiversity: Projects The Geopark is supported by: In 2014, The Munster that, enhance, restore and Waterford City and Council; Express teamed up with the protect nature and ecosystems. Geological Survey of Ireland; Friends of St John’s River Ecotourism: Projects that University College Cork and; project. foster sustainable tourism and Mining Heritage Trust of This group of enthusiastic ‘eco-tourism’ in the locality. Ireland. volunteers have transformed Water: Water sustainability The Copper Coast Geopark the area of St John’s River, Kil- and awareness of how critical is a member of the Public Par- barry and are continuing with this invaluable resource is to ticipation Network and repre- St John’s River, Kilbarry their magnifi cent efforts. localities. sents the Environmental Pillar Saturday August 15th at 11am The Friends of St John’s Resource Effi ciency: on the Planning & Corporate River group received an award Resource Effi ciency with the Strategic Policy Committee. Meeting on Cherrymount Bridge for their efforts at a ceremony aim of developing markets for The Munster Express looks in Athlone earlier this year. recyclables in Ireland. forward to highlighting the The Munster Express Sustainable Employment: many varied activities which received a ‘Project Champion’ Community Projects that inno- are taking place in this beautiful award in recognition of the vate and stimulate local, sus- area of County Waterford. newspaper’s coverage of the tainable enterprises and gener- To fi nd out more about the project. ate new livelihoods. Copper Coast Geopark visit Limerick Community Community Impact: Com- www.coppercoastgeopark. Grocery, a project developed munity Impact Prize (additional com. To fi nd out more about in association with the Lim- prize for 2015) The Clann the ‘Get Involved’ competition, erick Leader newspaper, won Credo “Community Impact visit www.get-involved.ie. the overall top prize which Prize” highlights how outstand- included a bursary of €5,000. ing community-based projects .