Cork community associations unite

Cillian Ferry

Over 85 participants attended an event focused on strengthening and supporting associations across the city last Thursday.

Community leaders, volunteers, board members and community development practitioners from across Cork city gathered at the Millenium Hall on Thursday 10 September for the second annual Community Associations Seminar, an event designed to support the sustainability, effectiveness and future development of community associations throughout the city.

Developed in partnership with Cork City Council, Cork City Partnership and Cork City Public Participation Network (PPN), and designed by a planning committee comprising representatives from community associations, the seminar attracted more than 85 attendees from 17 community associations across the city. Participants also had the opportunity to engage with 20 exhibitors offering practical advice, resources, support and funding information for community organisations.

Opening the event, the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Damian Boyle welcomed attendees and highlighted the vital role community associations play in strengthening neighbourhoods and improving quality of life across the city.

In his address, he noted that community associations had expressed a desire during Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) consultations for more opportunities to come together, learn from one another and build stronger networks and partnerships. He encouraged participants to share experiences, develop new connections and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in a series of presentations, discussions and networking opportunities focused on many of the key issues facing community associations today. Topics explored included successful approaches to volunteer recruitment and retention, the characteristics of effective and sustainable community associations, engaging both new and existing residents in local activities and decision-making, accessing and diversifying funding opportunities, and implementing best practice safeguarding measures within community organisations.

Cllr Boyle said: “The work of community associations has never been more important. While organisations face challenges including volunteer recruitment, rising costs and increasing demands, today provides an important opportunity to discuss these issues openly, identify common concerns and explore solutions. By coming together, community associations can amplify their collective voice and help shape the supports needed to ensure vibrant and sustainable organisations into the future.”

The seminar also allowed for community associations to engage directly with support agencies and service providers through a dedicated exhibition area. The 20 exhibitors offered information, guidance and practical resources on governance, funding, community development, further education, volunteering, training and organisational support.

Associations such as the Ballyphehane Community Association and the Clogheen-Kerrypike Community Association offered themselves as case studies for attendees, highlighting factors that contributed to their respective success stories within their communities.

Feedback from participants of this year’s event highlighted the importance of networking with peers, learning from successful practice and developing new relationships.

The Community Associations Seminar forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to supporting vibrant, resilient and sustainable communities and aligns with the objectives of the LECP.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.