Community Development

Community
Development

Community Development is a process that seeks to build strong, sustainable communities by bringing people and groups together for the good of the wider community and society. Based on principles of equality, fairness and respect it sets out to influence power structures and to remove barriers that prevent people from influencing decisions that affect their lives.

Our aims

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To enhance and develop social, economic and environmental aspects of the area, with a specific focus on those areas and communities that continue to experience poverty and disadvantage.

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To build on existing skills and capacities of Local Community Groups and to support their participation in networks and decision-making bodies where their voices can be heard.

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To provide outreach and engagement services within the catchment area to help link individuals from community groups to DNP supports and services in the areas of Education, Training and Employment/Self-Employment.

Support for Community Groups

Supporting existing and emerging Local Community Groups is a key focus of DNP. Local Community Groups can participate in our social inclusion network, avail of one-to-one mentoring and support, as well as a variety of free training and information sessions to build their capacity to work effectively.

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Supports available

  • Accessing funding
  • How to set up a Community Group
  • Committee skills training
  • Governance and legislative compliance training
  • Human Resources training
  • Publicity and promotion
  • Risk management, health and safety
  • Community consultation
  • Action planning
  • Support in developing and implementing strategic plans
  • Enabling groups to participate in local, regional and national decision-making bodies and to advocate on behalf of the areas and groups they represent.

For more information please contact:

Pauline Hazel – Older Persons’ Development Officer

Ann Devoy Kelly – Community Groups Development Officer

Patrcia Whelan Community Development Outreach Officer

 

Social Inclusion Network

The Social Inclusion Network provides a learning and developmental space for Community Groups in our catchment working to promote social inclusion. Members of the Social Inclusion Network support one another to develop best practice in social inclusion work and to share their experience with the wider community. The Social Inclusion Network meets quarterly.

DNP hosts an annual Social Inclusion Seminar (normally January/February) to showcase social inclusion work and stimulate further networking and discussion on social inclusion issues.

Social Inclusion Seminar 2024 From Left to Right- Mary Corridan,Community Development Manager, Caroline Molly, Santry CRC & DNP board member, Michael Bowe, DNP CEO and Guest Speaker, Minister Joe O'Brien

For more information on the Social Inclusion Network
please contact Ann Devoy Kelly

Social Enterprise

What is a Social Enterprise?

A Social Enterprise is a business which trades in either goods or services to address a local, national, or international issue. A key difference between a social enterprise and a traditional business is that any surplus generated by a social enterprise is reinvested in pursuing societal or environmental goals.

Social Enterprises service markets as diverse as the environment, food & drink, childcare, transport, education and training, work integration, tourism, health, and specialist services.

How can we help?

As each social enterprise is different, a plan is developed at the initial meeting to set out the supports  needed to either develop and explore a new business idea or to outline the supports available to expand and grow an existing social enterprise. Supports available from the Dublin Northwest Partnership include:

  • One-to-one meetings 
  • Access to a panel of experienced mentors
  • Assistance with feasibility studies
  • Links to relevant networks
  • Information on funding opportunities and assistance with funding applications

For more information on Social Enterprise
please contact Paul Hennelly

Empowering Communities

The Dublin Northwest Partnership are delighted to announce that they have been selected to
develop the Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) for three Electoral Areas:
  Finglas South B, Cabra West B and Inns Quay B. 

The ECP was established partly in response to a Programme for Government commitment to expand the Dublin North-East Inner-City Model, which was developed in response to the profound challenges facing the communities of North-East Inner-City Dublin. Responses identified had an emphasis on supporting the long-term economic and social regeneration of the area.

The ECP is administered by Minister Joe O’Brien’s Department of Rural and Community Development and supported by the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with the support of the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). 14 Electoral areas have been selected nationally. The overall focus of the ECP Team is to review existing structures and programmes for economic and social development within these areas, both statutory and non-statutory. There will be an emphasis on community leadership, on engaging with and involving members of the local community and public representatives. Account will be taken of experience and good practice as well as national policy developments. 

The ECP Team members will be out and about in the community over the coming weeks and months. ECP Team members will be running focus groups to involve the local community in the process. If you are interested in participating in one of these focus groups and/or like further information on this Programme, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Map of Finglas South B Electoral Area

Map of Cabra West B Electoral Area

Map of Inns Quay B Electoral Area

For more information on Empowering Communities
please contact ECP Research Officer, Rory Downey

Refugee Work

Dublin Northwest Partnership plays an important role in providing a variety of supports to asylum seekers and refugees within our catchment area. With a commitment to social inclusion and integration, DNP offers an array of essential supports for example English language classes, pre-employment support, education and self-employment supports.  DNP also organises multi-cultural social events for refugees, asylum seekers and local residents to promote social inclusion and integration.  

Support with development of English Language skills has emerged as a priority need for refugees and asylum seekers. These skills are essential for integration into Irish society as well as for progression into employment or education. DNP provides a number of English classes, recognizing the significance of successful integration and enabling individuals to fulfil their potential. For more information, contact Abdisalam Hassan at abdisalam.hassan@dublinnorthwest.ie

DNP assists asylum seekers and refugees seeking employment by offering specialized employment preparation programs, which encompass interview skills, CV preparation, and job search assistance, equipping them with the necessary tools to enter the job market confidently. Please visit this link for our Employment section.  Alternatively, if you’d like more information, you can contact Maria McLoughlin on maria.mcloughlin@dublinnorthwest.ie or Abdisalam Hassan on abdisalam.hassan@dublinnorthwest.ie 

Dublin Northwest Partnership also provides information and practical supports to those wishing to participate in further and higher education in Ireland. Please visit this link for our Education section and further information.  

Beyond traditional employment, we offer supports on self-employment including a Start your Own Business course and bespoke mentoring on relevant topics. Please visit this link for our Enterprise section and further information.  

For more information, 
please contact Refugee Support Officer, Abdisalam Hassan

Testimonials

DNP Community Development Team

Mary Corridan, Community Development Programme Manager Tel: 086 020 6272
Pauline Hazel, Older Persons Support Officer Tel: 086 041 6155
Patricia Whelan, Community Outreach Officer Tel: 085 876 4034
Ann Devoy Kelly, Community Group Development Officer Tel: 087 936 2096
Abdisalam Hassan, Refugee Support Officer Tel: 085 855 5172
Rory Downey, Research Officer Empowering Communities Programme Tel: 085 854 8342
Yvonne Hall, Projects Administrator0