Empowering Communities
Empowering Communities Programme
We have been selected to develop the Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) for two Electoral Areas: Finglas South B and Cabra West B.
The Empowering Communities Programme of DNP takes a Grassroots Community Development approach to tackling area-based issues. In a process of collaboration between the ECP team and residents/stakeholders in the community, we support the process of residents crafting their own responses to locally based issues.
The ECP was established to support the long-term economic and social regeneration of 14 specific areas in Ireland and we cover the areas in the maps below:
Map of Finglas South B Electoral Area
Map of Cabra West B Electoral Area
Empowering Communities - What We Do
Capacity Building Programmes
· Our Capacity Building Programme strand of ECP supports collaborates with LCGs and organisations in Finglas South B and Cabra West B to design and deliver programmes to boost the capacity of residents and stakeholders in the community.
· In consultation with local organisations and LCGs, our ECP team identify programmes, training and other initiatives that are held in the local community to address issues on the ground and to build on existing resources in the community.
· We are developing a Community Leadership Programme. The aim of this programme is to nurture the emergence of community leaders.
For more information, contact Rory Downey at rory.downey@dublinnorthwest.ie
Outreach
· Our community outreach has taken many different forms including focus groups, door to door outreach of over 2,000 homes, consulting with LCGs and building stronger relationships with stakeholders in the two ECP catchments of Dublin Northwest.
· Outreach is at the core of the ECP in DNP and informs decision making and the overall direction of the programme.
Community Research
·Our ECP team has conducted community profiles of Cabra West B & Finglas South B.
· To better understand our communities, we use resources such as the Central Statistics Office, Pobal’s HP Deprivation Index and other relevant resources and research conducted in relation to the two communities.
· Our community research, aligned with community consultation, informs the decision-making processes and provides insight into the community that can be utilised to address challenges and issues that may not be otherwise evident.
Learning Hub
Our ECP Learning Hub supports Junior Cycle students in reaching their educational goals and aims to improve educational attainment.
· The Learning Hub supports young people via academic classes, personal development initiatives and programmes that intend to inspire the next generation of the two ECP communities.
For more information on the Hub, check out the Hub page here. Or contact Sarah at sarah.mcmanus@dublinnorthwest.ie
NALA Learning Centre
Dublin Northwest Partnership is a registered Learn with NALA (National Adult Literacy Agency) Centre since October 2024. We can support adults from 16 years of age onwards, with reading, writing, maths and computer skills. To find out more, click this link.
For more information call Patricia McMahon on 085 805 0924 or email patricia.mcmahon@dublinnorthwest.ie.
Empowering Communities Grant
We provide Local Community Groups (LCGs) in Finglas South B and Cabra West B ED’s with funding through a community grant.
The ECP Community Grant is available year-round and has a maximum award of €1,000 per LCG
The grant supports small, medium and large LCGs to fund programmes and capital purchases.
To find out if you are in one of these Electoral Divisions, check the links to the maps above.
For more information and a copy of the Grant Application Form, along with Grant Guidelines, please email ECP@dublinnorthwest.ie
Contact Details
For more information on Empowering Communities
please contact ECP Development Officer, Rory Downey
Background of Empowering Communities Programme
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).
Electoral Areas for Empowering Communities
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.