PICTURES | County Longford Public Participation Network: Ten years connecting communities

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It’s been ten years since the establishment of the Public Participation Network and a plenary meeting held in December really reflected on the positive impact the PPN has had on what now amounts to 600 community groups in the Longford area. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

PPNs were written into legislation under the Local Government Reform Act of 2014, giving a stronger voice to community groups, allowing them to have a say on what’s happening in local government, while bringing ideas and suggestions to the major decision makers.

The County Longford PPN allows the diversity of voices and interests to be facilitated and involved in the decision-making process and, from childcare, to disabilities, to social inclusion, Longford PPN has done something for everybody.

But with just one permanent Coordinator and one temporary support worker, managing a network of 600 community groups and 30 representatives on the decision-making committee, not to mention the PPN Disability Network, an Intercultural Forum and all that goes with it, the PPN is not without its challenges.

More support - particularly political support - is needed, but despite the challenges, it’s been an incredible ten years for Longford PPN.

And, perhaps, nobody puts it better than the people who have been at the coal-face over the course of the last decade.

For more information on how to register with Longford PPN, or to learn more about how the PPN works, visit www.longfordppn.ie, or follow County Longford PPN on Facebook.