This section contains resources for civil society and community and voluntary organisations. This material has a particular focus on policy and on citizen engagement. We provide this material to help these organisations to play an informed role and contribute towards influencing and shaping policy both locally and nationally.
The first comprehensive review of the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) has been published.
It shows that the 31 PPNs had nearly 12,000 member groups in 2016, and contributed to local policy and decision making, built local capacity and shared information on building stronger communities.
Social Justice Ireland has been a long term supporter of the PPNs as key to the local democracy and bringing decision making closer to the people who are effected by those decisions.
Circular from Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government outlining the process for the drawdown of funding by Local Authorities re PPNs. Released Friday 15th July
Tuesday November 22nd 2016 09:30 – 16:30
Croke Park Conference Centre
Social Justice Ireland’s Annual Social Policy Conference 2016 will focus on Basic Income, the theory behind it, and how it can be applied in practice. Registration now open - click here.
On 5th May the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government circulated a draft PPN User guide and also information on the PPN Advisory Group and on the devleopment of a CRM database for PPNs. The relevant documents, are available for download below.
The following circular was released by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government on 5 April 2016. It covers the Activity Report 2015, Expenditure Report 2015, Funding Arrangements 2016 & Client Relationship Management (CRM) database.
The reports are to be submitted by 22nd April and are to be signed off on behalf of both the PPN and the Local Authority.
This circular, issued by the Department on 19 September 2015 outlines the financial return which the Department required from a Local Authority to trigger payment of funding for PPNs.
This Circular, issued by the Department on 25 June 2015 outlines the arrangements for funding of Public Participation Networks in 2015. In addition, it gives a number of possible models for the employment of a resource worker, including a draft job description and workplan. It also suggests a draft Memorandum of Understanding / Service Level Agreement between a Local Authority and PPN.
Public Participation Networks (PPNs) provide an opportunity for real engagement between local people and local authorities. PPNs have been established in all local authority areas in 2014/15. Membership is open to not for profit groups in the social inclusion, environmental and general community and voluntary sectors.
Social Justice Ireland's policy proposals on participation, supporting the Community and Voluntary Sector and ensuring all voices are heard in Social Dialogue and a local and national level are available to download here.
