Donegal County Council has unveiled three new pilot initiatives that will support new and existing Tidy Town groups throughout Donegal.
These initiatives include the new Clean & Green Awards, a Tidy Towns Start-Up Fund and a Tidy Towns Improvement Project Fund.
Announcing these initiatives Cathaoirleach Cllr. Terence Slowey said “these initiatives have been introduced to support existing Tidy Town groups who have been working tirelessly for years in promoting their own towns and villages and to encourage the setting up of new Tidy Towns groups in areas where none currently exist”.
“We fully acknowledge the hard work and dedication required by groups entering the National Tidy Town Competition and both the elected members and the Council executive are keen to support groups in any way we can” stated Cllr. Slowey.
“These are pilot initiatives and we hope that they will go a long way in supporting and assisting groups in their entries to the National Tidy Town competition. However, it must be said that this is not just about winning the competition but it is about the Council supporting communities who are continuously improving the quality of life in their own towns and villages. The Tidy Towns initiative has such a positive impact on the local community and we are keen to support groups that instil such positivity in their local community and their local environment”.
Donegal County Council Clean & Green Award 2017
This year Donegal County Council will run a pilot Clean & Green Award for Tidy Towns groups which will be aimed at recognising those groups that have achieved high scores in the following three categories of the National Tidy Towns competition,
a) Tidiness & Litter Control,
b) Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes,
c) Sustainable Waste & Resource Management.
Upon entering the national Tidy Towns competition groups will automatically be considered for the Donegal County Council Clean & Green Award. There will be one overall County Donegal Award, and one winner and endeavour award per Municipal District.
Tidy Towns Start-Up Fund 2017
The Council is offering support and advice to any group, town or village that is thinking about becoming a Tidy Towns group with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of Tidy Towns groups entering the national competition each year from Donegal.
The Council is inviting expressions of interest from any groups, towns or villages that are interested in becoming a Tidy Towns group, and entering the National Tidy Towns competition. The Council will provide the necessary support and advice and groups can receive a start-up fund of €250.
Donegal County Council New Tidy Towns Improvement Project Fund 2017
Tidy Towns groups are also invited to apply to the Council for funding for small scale improvement works in their town or village. Projects should reflect one or more of the National Tidy Towns categories. Application forms will be issued to all existing and known groups. Forms will also be available to online at www.donegalcoco.ie or by contacting Suzanne Bogan, Waste Awareness Officer 074 91 53900 or suzannebogan@donegalcoco.ie.