Joe Duffy has launched a search for inspiring individuals who create jobs in their local community for participation in the new television series of Local Heroes, in association with MACE.
This series will celebrate individuals across the country who have come up with new and innovative ways to stimulate job creation in their own villages, towns or cities.
Joe has long been actively involved in a bid to stimulate local economy through the hugely popular Fiver Friday initiative that was born on his RTÉ Radio 1 programme Liveline in July 2011 after a caller came up with the idea of choosing one day and encouraging people around the country to spend an extra €5 with a local business, retailer or supplier on that day in an effort to boost turnover and save jobs. The idea was so simple yet so effective; Liveline got behind it and Fiver Friday was born! Fiver Friday returns on Friday November 30th in support of Local Heroes.
Joe Duffy said: “There are local heroes working hard in their own communities every day to try to make sure that their cities, towns and villages are vibrant, buoyant and prosperous places to live for themselves, their families, their neighbours and their friends. With RTÉ Local Heroes, we have a chance not only to celebrate those people, but also to join in the fun, laughter and community spirit along the way and, hopefully, inspire people around the country to follow in their footsteps.”
Alex Banahan, Sales Director for MACE Ireland said: “MACE is proud to be supporting this campaign to find and celebrate the country’s Local Heroes. With a footprint across hundreds of towns in Ireland, we appreciate the significance of supporting local business and local employment – something our retailers, staff and customers strive to do every day. Local communities are the lifeblood of Irish society and it is important for us to highlight the positive examples of the people and groups who are making a difference,” he said.
In 2011, Drogheda took on the challenge of supporting job creation by stimulating their local economy. During a one hundred day period, the town undertook numerous initiatives which produced concrete results. Since Drogheda led the Local Heroes campaign new towns and cities across Ireland have come on board, including Kells and Limerick.
Now RTÉ television and MACE are doing a national call out looking for those individuals across Ireland who are doing something visionary to create jobs in their local community.
Four years into the recession and communities throughout the country are suffering as job losses and continuing austerity make day-to-day life tougher than ever. Presented by Joe Duffy, Local Heroes, will tell the stories of six individuals who are working to help create employment in their local community.
If you have an idea or project that aims to create local jobs for local people in your area, then please apply to take part in the series.
Application forms to be part of the new Local Heroes series are available on-line at RTE.ie/localheroes or in MACE stores across the country.
