Kildare Public Participation Network calls for more community groups to have their say

Kildare Public Participation Network (PPN) has today issued an invitation to community and voluntary groups in Kildare to join their local PPN and help build a better future for the county.

The call­out comes as a new national brand identity and awareness campaign for Public Participation Networks was launched by Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien in Dublin this week.

Each county and city in Ireland have its own PPN. Kildare PPN is one of 31 PPNs that have been established in all local authority areas in the State, and its membership stands at 575 organisations. Nationally, more than 18,000 community and voluntary groups are currently members of a PPN. Public Participation Networks allow local authorities to connect with community groups around their county. PPNs give people a greater say in local government decisions that affect their communities.

Grainne Fleming, Coordinator for Kildare PPN said

“Joining Kildare Public Participation Network is a fantastic way of getting involved in local decision­making and contributing to a thriving community. The groups in our PPN are at the heart of local policymaking and have a voice in the policies that impact our local community. “Kildare PPN regularly hosts events and trainings for its members; shares information on funding, grants and proposals or decisions being made in the county. It’s also a great opportunity to network and meet other community groups in the area. We want our PPN to be representative of the people of Kildare in all their diversity, and invite all community and voluntary groups in the county to visit our website and find out how to join us.”

Speaking at the launch of the PPNs’ new national brand identity and awareness campaign, Minister O’Brien encouraged volunteer­led groups around the country, and particularly young people, to join their local PPN saying,

“Public Participation Networks give communities across Ireland a voice in local decision ­making and bring valuable on­the­ground, experience and expertise into local and national policy development.
“The strength and impact of PPNs can be seen in how they represented volunteers and community groups within the responses to Covid­19, working with local authorities and state agencies. Through local action, PPNs also contribute to policymaking at national level, such as the development of the Climate Action Plan 2021, when PPNs hosted and facilitated important local community conversations around the country.”

Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Kildare County Council said,

“Kildare County Council is delighted to support both the national and local PPN awareness campaigns which highlights the great work of the PPN. The PPN plays a key role in empowering and assisting groups to participate in decision ­making and are an important link for local authorities to connect, collaborate and consult with community groups. PPNs make a significant and valuable contribution to the development of our key policies and strategies and in turn each Local Authority provides considerable support to their local PPNs in recognition of this.”

For further information, visit the website of Kildare PPN: https://www.kildarePPN.ie/