Competition Puts Rural Clare In The Frame

April 4, 2012 - PRLog -- Organised by European Network for Rural Development (ENRD), the ‘Images of Rural Europe’ competition is open to all professional and amateur photographers who are resident in one of the 27 EU Member States.  All photos submitted will be considered for inclusion in a major EU ‘Travelling’ Exhibition’ during 2012/2013.

According to Sue Targett, Social Inclusion & Community Development Manager with CLDC: “Clare boasts some of Ireland’s most scenic and diversity-rich rural locations.  This competition affords the people of the County with a unique opportunity to share photographs which encapsulate life in their rural community, as a means of celebrating the beauty and diversity of rural Europe.”

The six categories featured in the completion include Rural Environment, Rural Employment, Rural Youth, Rural People, Rural Diversity and The Spirit of LEADER.

“Competition entries can feature any aspect of rural life in County Clare, whether it is a photograph of the sun setting over the karst landscape of the Burren, a farmer at work on their land, or a scene from a local hurling match. It is important to remember that competition entries will be judged on how well they capture life in their rural communities and the people that live there,” explained Ms. Targett.

The winning entries will be displayed at a major exhibition at the prestigious European commission Berlaymont building, in Brussels from 22 June to 10 July. 2012. In addition, winning photographers will be invited to attend a high profile awards ceremony, in the presence of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Cioloş, on 27 June, 2012.

All photographs submitted from County Clare must be done so via email to CLDC at info@cldc.ie.  All photos should have a minimum size 5MB, 300 dpi resolution.  The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 18th May 2012. Further information is available from CLDC on 065-6866800 or visit www.ruralimages.eu.

-ENDS-

Notes To Editor:
-   Photographs and interviewees are available on request. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
-   CLDC is responsible for the delivery of a range of rural and enterprise, social inclusion, community development, work placement and environmental initiatives in County Clare. In 2011, CLDC invested €1.25m in enterprise, leading to the creation of at least 70 full-time jobs and the retention of hundreds of other jobs in established businesses. A further €1.75m was paid out to community and training initiatives, as well as community projects such as children’s playgrounds, astro-turf facilities, and community centres.  CLDC will allocate more than €5m to local projects and initiatives during the period 2012-2013, while it expects to pay out €2.5m to pre-approved projects during 2012.
-   LEADER is the EU initiative for Rural Development that provides approved Local Action Groups with public funding (EU and national) to implement plans for the development of their own areas. Under the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme, funding of €425.4m is being provided for LEADER projects, 55% from the EU and 45% from the Irish Exchequer. The funding represents the largest ever package