Start date: 15 April 2025
Duration: 3 Days
Location: Athenry, Co. Galway
Programme overview
Connectsus is a unique and innovative training programme which brings community and business together to imagine and co-produce vision and action for healthy, place-based and circular food systems that are good for people and planet.
Dates:
Day 1 - Tuesday 15th April
Day 2 - Tuesday 20th May
Day 3 - Thursday 26th June
Location:
Amicitia Social Hub, Old Church Street, Athenry, Co. Galway
Time:
9.30am - 4.30pm
Connecting Communities & Enterprise for Sustainable Food
Food and sustainability are deeply intertwined. The way we produce, consume, and waste food has significant environmental and social impacts. Achieving sustainability in food systems is essential to addressing issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Local food communities are a powerful tool in the transition to a more sustainable and resilient world.
By reducing environmental impacts, supporting local economies, enhancing food security, and promoting healthier eating, local food initiatives such as small-scale farms, local markets, or community food projects are an essential part of creating a sustainable future.
Business and communities are crucial partners in delivering sustainable food action on the ground. Communities are often the first to recognise and act on the opportunity to create healthier and sustainable food pathways and choices for their towns and areas.. With its deep base of expertise, skills and resources business can contribute to, and collaborate with, local communities to deliver more effective action.
ConnectSus is a unique and innovative training programme which brings community and business together to imagine and co-produce vision and action for healthy, place-based and circular food systems that are good for people and planet.
The programme will explore and review:
• Key sustainability challenges and how they impact communities and business
• Why and how business engages with communities and the benefits
• Key factors for successful community sustainability initiatives
• Food systems particularly in relation to local food networks and partnerships
• Circular economy and food waste
• How to form lasting partnerships and collaborate effectively
• Envisioning positive sustainable food futures for your community
• Creative placemaking: what makes Athenry special?
• How to establish a micro or social enterprise to support new local foodsystems businesses
• Community Leadership
Why attend this course
• Connect with like-minded individuals, community groups, and businesses interested in sustainable and healthy food in your area
• Learn in an atmosphere of fun, collegiality, hope and ambition
• Get involved in developing a community food initiative in your town
• Become a more effective community leader
• Draw on skills and resources of business and industry to deliver a food initiative of interest to you
• Establish deeper and long-lasting community relationships
Eligibility Criteria for Business
• Business must be registered and based in the Republic of Ireland
• Start up/artisan/sole traders/social enterprise and representatives from community groups are eligible if based and operating in the Republic of Ireland
• Participants should ideally be decision makers/influencers in their organisation
• Have an interest in community development particularly in the area of sustainable, local and healthy food
Eligibility Criteria for Community Member
• Have an interest in community development particularly in the area of sustainable, local and healthy food
• Have the capacity and availability to commit to the full three days of training and additional learning
• Be interested in engaging with business and other community stakeholders to establish a Food Charter for Athenry and commit to activities therein
General Eligibility Criteria
• Participants must be resident and living in the Republic of Ireland
• Non-native English speakers to provide supporting documentation of their English level, unless they have already studied to a level 5 in English, further details regarding the NCI minimum entry requirements and English can be viewed HERE
This Taste 4 Success Skillnet programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union
Further Details & Registration:
REGISTER ONLINE HERE
DOWNLOAD COURSE BROCHURE
VISIT THE OFFICIAL CONNECTSUS SITE
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