The video features a wide range of stakeholders who highlight the importance of engagement at local level, ensuring that the most marginalised are involved with developing policy, or future decisions that affect their communities.
The video complements the previously published ‘Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making’ which was co-produced by the Department of Rural and Community Development with Pobal, Community Work Ireland (CWI) and the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN), and supported by the Dormant Accounts Fund.
The guide provides a range of materials to organisations to assist them with implementing key principles and processes associated with inclusive engagement.
Minister O’Brien said: “Encouraging and fostering public participation is vital for decision-making and future policy development. This new tool can be used as a reference when organisations are preparing and planning to consult with marginalised communities and the groups which represent them. The guide and supporting resources builds on Ireland’s commitment to the sustainable development principle of ‘Leave no one behind’.”
CEO of Pobal, Anna Shakespeare also welcomed the launch of the video and commented: “This new, engaging resource includes practical advice, local examples and inputs from community representatives and other stakeholders, demonstrating the importance of inclusive community engagement. It highlights the outcomes which can be achieved when the right processes are put into practice.
“I would like to thank all the individuals and organisations involved in the production of the video and for sharing their experiences and learnings which will help and support others as they commence their own projects.”
Anastasia Crickley of Community Work Ireland (CWI) also emphasised the importance of the new tool.
She said: “CWI welcomes the clear message that conditions must be created and resourced for communities with the lived experiences to give meaningful inputs into the local and national policies and decisions that affect their lives. This input, which will bring better outcomes for all stakeholders, has to go beyond consultation to involvement in the design and implementation of policies and plans which affect in particular marginalised and minority communities”
This initiative is part of a wider Dormant Accounts-funded project on the engagement of marginalised communities and is just one of a wide variety of actions being delivered under Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, the whole of Government Strategy to support the Community and Voluntary Sector in Ireland 2019-2024.
The video can be viewed online here.
