Mr Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, today published “Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland”.
The strategy sets out how Government will support the sector in the years to come and aims to provide communities with both the means and opportunity to be involved in decisions that affect them, as well as strengthening their representative organisations to facilitate this. It also aims to equip communities directly and through the organisations that support them with the capacity to address the ongoing implications of challenges such as Climate Change and Brexit.
It was produced in collaboration with the community and voluntary sector and recognises the importance of this sector to a healthy, just and prosperous society.
Speaking at the launch of the strategy at the F2 Fatima Centre in Dublin 8 today, Minister Ring said:
“The aim of this strategy is to create vibrant, sustainable communities that are fully engaged in decision-making and policy implementation processes. It will also seek to strengthen community resilience to ensure that communities and their organisations have the capacity to address the implications of challenges such as Climate Change and Brexit.
“Community and voluntary organisations deliver a wide range of services across many sectors in Ireland. In fact, it is difficult to imagine any area of Irish life where they do not have an impact.
“These organisations work in, and support, every community. They support children, young people and older people, people with disabilities and medical conditions. They advocate for environmental causes, campaign for social justice and support people experiencing poverty. They support migrants, promote arts and culture and advocate for climate justice.”
Referring to his Department’s collaboration with the sector, which was a key part of the strategy development process, the Minister said:
“I recognise the value of this type of collaboration and I intend to strengthen this positive working relationship as we begin to implement the actions outlined in the strategy. Taking a lead role, my Department will bring all relevant Government Departments, State Agencies and local government together to work effectively with our community and voluntary colleagues to achieve the objectives detailed in the strategy.”
Download the full document
HERE