It opened with a welcome from Thomas Fitzpatrick, chair of the LDCN, and Sean Carey, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, who highlighted the ethos of Local Development Companies and their impact through programmes such as SICAP, LEADER, and the Rural Social Scheme.
A later panel discussion focused on integrated services: the idea that by housing complementary programmes within one community-based organisation, the total becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
Minister of State Jerry Buttimer spoke on the first day, highlighting the vital role that the local development sector plays in fostering partnerships, empowering communities, and delivering real, measurable change.
Minister Dara Calleary welcomed all to his Moyside hometown on the second day. In his keynote address he reaffirmed his Department’s commitment to supporting Local Development Companies. He emphasised the importance of sustainable funding for programmes such as SICAP, LAES, and LEADER, which underpin community-led development nationwide.
The conference also featured panel discussions with national and international speakers including Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Michael Reilly, Dr Ebun Joseph, Dr Anna Visser, Piotr Sadłocha, Bairbre Nic Aongusa, Rosarii Mannion, Michelle Carney and Dr Anne Devlin. Broadcaster, comedian and author Colm O’Regan was MC.
Voices from the floor included a contribution regarding LEADER funding by former community worker and now MEP (Independent) Ciaran Mullooly.
Hundreds attended over the two days in Ballina and over 40 Local Development Companies were represented. Reflecting on the event afterwards, Ryan Howard, the CEO of South and East Cork Area Development, said the conference posed important questions:
“Over a thirty-year period, investment in community and local development has proven to be very effective in supporting sustainable development, enabling communities to prepare for and address major challenges in terms of equality, accessibility, connectivity, and integration. The levels of funding made available has not kept pace with the scale of the work that communities, volunteers, and community-based services are expected to manage. Too much pressure is being added to volunteer-dependent supports leading to burn-out. And the funds have some of the most ridiculous levels of administration,” he added.
Other issues were addressed over the two days included threats to future EU LEADER funding, lessons from cross-government coordination on child poverty and child well-being, and how building connections can help to tackle poverty.
Check our social media for photos from the event.
