The work of Roscommon’s Public Participation Network (PPN) is the vital link between the work of the local authority and communities across the county echoing the vision of this year’s Your Council Day in supporting and building better communities, supporting local democracy in the process creating stronger communities.

The PPN traditionally hosts two bi-annual Plenary meetings each year where upwards of two hundred volunteers attend with productive debate and where information is circulated. The network is facilitated and co-funded by Roscommon County Council in association with the Department of Rural & Community Development and the PPN Secretariat.

By an ironic coincidence, the theme of the most recent bi-annual plenary which was held last month was ‘Strengthening Communities and Building Resilience’. The PPN empowers communities to participate in local decision-making, enables access to Local Authority funding and provides capacity building initiatives for member groups. facilitated by Roscommon County Council.

The organisation is also instrumental in the formulation of key policies through the nomination of community representatives onto local decision-making structures including Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) and the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).

“As the umbrella organisation in the county supporting community groups, Roscommon PPN supports over 450 groups and facilitates 25 community representatives on local decision-making structures, all of whom are volunteers who give selflessly of themselves in supporting their local communities,” according to Paul Clabby, of Roscommon County Council’s PPN Unit.

Jody Moylan, also a staff member with the council’s PPN Department said the most recent plenary meeting illustrated the important impact of the PPN upon its members:  “The recent plenary looked at both the challenges and opportunities facing community groups, such as succession issues and community employment initiatives as well as looking at themes such as community safety and building community resilience.”

Community groups who assisted in the post Storm Éowyn relief mission were honoured at the recent plenary by receiving a specially commissioned honour in recognition of their support to their local community. At present, the PPN is also in the process of developing a new strategic plan for the period 2025-2030.