Longford PPN calls for more community groups to have their say

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

Each county and city in Ireland has its own PPN. Longford PPN is one of 31 PPNs that have been established in all local authority areas in the State. 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.
Speaking at the launch of the PPNs’ new national brand identity and awareness campaign, Minister O’Brien encouraged volunteer-led group around the country, and particularly young people, to join their local PPN.

Minister O’Brien said: “Public Participation Networks give communities across Ireland a voice in local decision-making and bring valuable on-the-ground, 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 Covid-19, 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.”

John Mulholland, CEO of Laois County Council and Chair of the County and City Management Association Rural Development, Community, Culture and Heritage Committee said:
“The PPN structures offer Local Authorities a way to collaborate directly with volunteer community groups, who do so much for their localities.

“PPNs play an important role in developing our key policies and strategies, and each Local Authority provides considerable support to their local PPNs in recognition of this.
“This campaign will boost the profiles of PPNs, which is well-deserved in light of their work.”

About PPNs
Established under the Local Government Reform Act 2014, Public Participation Networks allow local authorities to connect with volunteer-run groups around the country. They provide a mechanism by which citizens can have a greater say in local government decisions that affect their own communities.
A PPN is a network for Community and Voluntary, Social Inclusion and Environmental groups in each local authority area. PPNs allow local authorities to connect with volunteer-run groups around the country. As a result, PPNs provide a mechanism by which citizens can have a greater say in local government decisions that affect their own communities.

PPNs work to enable the community to be represented in decision-making processes that impact citizens through representation on council committees, consultation processes, policy submissions and more.