Inclusion

The inaugural Local Development Conference held recently in Ballina, Co. Mayo, marked a major milestone for the community-led local development sector, celebrating the essential role Local Development Companies play in social inclusion, rural development, enterprise support, and community services nationwide. Hosted by the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN), the two-day event brought together leaders and changemakers from various sectors to explore “how to build stronger communities, inclusive societies, and resilient local economies”.

Cork today hosted the fourth annual National Civic Forum, marking the first time it was hosted outside Dublin. Opened by Corkonian and Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer, it brought together representatives from community organisations, agencies and local and central government to discuss how to tackle social exclusion and improve civic engagement and true collaboration.

The theme of this year’s SIF was ‘Reflecting on the Past and Informing the Future of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion.’ Lorraine Lally from Galway works nationally with the Community Law and Mediation Centre and she gave voice to workshop observations relating to families and children. She said they are “suffering more than I've ever seen before in my life”.

The Social Inclusion Forum 2025 was held on May 8 in Croke Park, Dublin. This was the 20th edition of the forum and you might wonder what's the point in talking, year after year for 20 years. Actually things have changed for the better as John McKeon, secretary general of the Department of Social Protection, pointed out.

Four sittings of a National Citizens’ Parliament on Media and Democracy were held over spring in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, as part of a European project to hear ideas from citizens on ways to protect the media as it is integral to supporting and saving democracy. In all, 20 people gave up four weekends to sit, discuss and make recommendations to be considered alongside those from citizens in ten or more cities across the continent.

Three panellists at The Wheel’s Summit in Croke Park, Dublin, on May 28, were asked what they would do with the community and voluntary sector if they had a magic wand.

Artists who immersed themselves in the South Kerry Gaeltacht to get to know aspiring home-owners, housing activists, community workers and staff in statutory agencies, have proposed novel actions to tackle housing scarcity.

The sixth national Public Participation Networks (PPNs) conference was held in Limerick recently on the 10th anniversary of their establishment. Vincent Lyons, Galway County PPN, said, “There’s no doubt about it, we've come an awful long way in the ten years. I think as a result of the PPNs, groups are better informed and they can use funding opportunities better because there's more widespread delivery of information.”