A newly updated guide, accompanied by a training video, has been launched to foster more inclusive and diverse decision-making in Irish communities. Titled The Inclusive Community Engagement Guide for Local Planning and Decision-Making, this resource aims to ensure that local authorities, public sector bodies, community groups, and SMEs involve marginalised and disadvantaged communities in shaping decisions that affect them.

By creating an accessible framework, the guide seeks to empower these Irish communities to engage meaningfully in local planning, promoting sustainable development across villages, towns, and cities in Ireland. In the training videos, several speakers from different Irish communities, including Adam McBride from LGBT Ireland, introduce the guide and break down its key points.

The guide was initially launched in February 2023 by Minister of State Joe O’Brien TD, who is responsible for Community Development, Charities, and Integration. The second edition, released in October 2023, integrates valuable lessons from three pilot programs and extensive feedback from the community.

Developed in partnership with Pobal and the community and voluntary sector, the guide is part of a Dormant Accounts Fund project aimed at strengthening the inclusion of marginalised communities in local decision-making. It also aligns with the Government’s Sustainable, Inclusive, and Empowered Communities strategy for 2019-2024, led by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The guide introduces nine core principles designed to support meaningful, inclusive community engagement. These principles ensure that engagement efforts are:

1. Genuine
2. Purposeful 
3. Planned
4. Clear
5. Inclusive 
6. Collaborative
7. Accountable
8. Accessible
9. Fit for Purpose

These principles provide a foundation for local organisations to create engagement processes that are both effective and respectful of community needs.

The guide breaks down the engagement process into three distinct phases, offering practical advice and checklists for each: Planning, which establishes the groundwork for an inclusive engagement process; Implementation, which outlines steps for executing and managing engagement efforts; and Review, which provides guidance on evaluating and improving engagement activities.

Each phase includes detailed recommendations and resources to help organisations navigate the engagement process, from initial setup to final evaluation.

The guide includes useful checklists and additional case studies that illustrate successful engagement initiatives, offering inspiration and actionable insights for anyone looking to implement inclusive community engagement. Appendix 2 provides these resources, aimed at making the guide a practical reference for all involved in local planning and decision-making.

Find out more about the guide here.