Galway’s Public Participation Networks (PPNs) have today issued an invitation to community and voluntary groups in Galway to join their local PPN and help build a better future for the county.
Galway County PPN is associated with the Galway County Council area while Galway City Community Network is the Public Participation Network in Galway City.
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. They give people a greater say in local government decisions that affect their communities.
Vincent Lyons from Galway County PPN Secretariat said they strive to make community involvement more relevant by providing a platform for information sharing about events happening that are relevant to the groups.
“Training is a key part of our brief and tailoring that training to meet the requirements of the groups,” said Mr Lyons.
“An area for development within PPNs is to work on delivering local policy change through the Local Authority structures to deliver change that benefits the communities long term.
“We will continue to help our reps to make their roles more meaningful so that the PPN is the go-to brand for engagement both from central government and through our local structures making a difference for the people of County Galway.”
Speaking at the launch of the PPNs’ new national brand identity and awareness campaign, Minister O’Brien encouraged volunteer-led groups around the country, and particularly young people, to join their local PPN.
“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,” he said.
