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Equip 2015

Monday, September 07, 2015

Equip 2015

If you are a woman running in the upcoming election or if you want to manage an election campaign, EQUIP will be an important milestone in your political journey.

Supported by The Ireland Funds, EQUIP is Ireland’s first and only non-partisan political campaign school which first ran in 2013 prior to the local government and European elections.

EQUIP programme brings women together from all parties and none and provides training, support and advice from national and international trainers and speakers. You can find out more here

EQUIP is a highly practical programme that will ensure that women have the key tools and techniques to be the best candidate they can be. This time, as EQUIP will be focused on the general election, our programme is tailored not only to meet the very specific challenges that women face, but also the unique skills needed to run for a national or regional election or manage a campaign.

EQUIP will provide participants with a clear election strategy and plan. The women will practice and receive feedback on core campaign skills including campaign strategy, voter identification and canvassing. Participants will also hear from fundraising experts on raising the necessary money, ensuring good governance and designing and sticking to a budget. They will hone their public speaking and media interview skills and learn about effective media engagement and social media strategy. Leading female politicians will be taking part to provide practical advice and encouragement.

As with all Women for Election programmes, EQUIP is run on a non-partisan basis where no party policy or politics is discussed so women are able to network and develop working relationships with others who will also be campaigning in upcoming elections.

The full programme costs €1395. This includes:
• Participation on the EQUIP programme
• Detailed programme materials and worksheets
• Two nights bed and breakfast at the Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone
• All meals and refreshments
• Gala dinner with invited guests and an after dinner speaker
• Free campaign headshots with leading photographer
• Individual ‘Numbers Clinic’ with leading campaign expert to identify your vote
• Tailored follow-up support from Women for Election in advance of the general election
• Access to a series of Women for Election events for one year following EQUIP

We promise an engaging, challenging and truly rewarding three days.

If you are a member of a political party, we encourage you to approach your party and ask them to support you to participate.  If you are part of a women’s network, trade union or business group, we encourage you to seek support from there too. As an elected representative, you may be able to cover the cost of EQUIP from a training budget, if you have one. This programme is about building your profile and network in advance of your election campaign so be strategic and creative in thinking about how you can cover the cost of your place on the programme.

Women for Election want to encourage as many women as possible to take part in EQUIP so some scholarships are available. Any women interested in taking part or finding out more can email equip@womenforelection.ie or call (00 3531) 6728050.

You can apply online at http://www.womenforelection.ie/our-programmes/apply/

Starts: 7 September 2015 09:00
Ends: 9 September 2015 17:00
Location: Athlone