County town to pilot social initiative

A community in North Cork will be the focus of a new pilot initiative aimed to improve local quality of life based on a model used in the Netherlands.

This week, Ballyhoura Development CLG secured Government funding of €142,500 to pilot an innovative Social Safety Approach in Charleville.

Inspired by a pioneering model in Heerlen, the Netherlands, and tailored for the Irish context, the initiative will be delivered in the northside estates of Charleville. It aims to strengthen safety, well-being, and liveability within the local community by ensuring trained staff are visible, accessible, and actively supporting residents on the ground.

At the heart of the initiative is a people-centred approach focused on trust-building, local engagement, and responsive support. Activities will include home visits, community forums, and the co-creation of Community Social Safety Plans that reflect the priorities and lived experiences of residents.

Eileen O’Keeffe, Development Manager at Ballyhoura Development said: “We are delighted to receive this support from the Department of Justice. This funding enables us to test a new way of working that prioritises partnership, prevention, and community voice. We look forward to seeing how this pilot can influence wider community safety practice across Ireland.”

Funded under the Department of Justice’s Community Safety Fund 2025, the initiative will be implemented in partnership with Cork County Council and Respond Housing Association through the existing Battview Matters Community and Family Support Project. The pilot will run throughout 2025 and, if successful, has the potential to shape future policy and practice in community safety and wellbeing at a national level.

For more about Ballyhoura Development and its ongoing work, visit ballyhouradevelopment.com.