Free Training for Community Groups – Sustainable Planning and Succession for Community Groups – Online July 21st 10 am-12 noon
This two-hour online interactive workshop is delivered by CramdenTECH Ltd. During the session, participants will have an opportunity to explore the following topics:
Principles of sustainable planning and development
Community engagement and participatory planning techniques
Integrating environmental considerations into planning decisions
Balancing economic, social, and ecological priorities
Engaging in succession planning to recruit volunteers and board members thereby enabling plans and projects to be implemented.
Developing S.M.A.R.T. sustainable plansFor Bookings Please Email: MCLYDE@donegalcoco.ie
Donegal County Council offers a free 6-week Climate Action Course designed specifically for adults over 55.
This localized program, led by former UN diplomat and Climate Mentor Jacinta Barrins, consists of informal, weekly group conversations. Participants meet every Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Old Courthouse in Lifford. [
The curriculum covers a variety of actionable topics:
Basics & Behavior: Understanding the fundamentals of climate change and shifting habits.
Carbon Footprint: Assessing personal environmental impact.
Action Plans: Choosing, examining, and sharing progress on practical climate initiatives.
Tea, coffee, and refreshments are provided at each session.
To reserve a spot on the course, you can contact the council directly by emailing rmahony@donegalcoco.ie or calling 087 251 0128. For broader council-run initiatives, you can review the full Donegal County Council Climate Action Week page or explore the Donegal County Council Climate Action
Diversity and Decision-Making Training Dates for Oct/Nov
Donegal Travellers Project have set dates for their Diversity and Decision-making training programme for October and November. Attached is the poster highlighting the session dates, times and venues.
The training is free and open to any staff, volunteers, students and individuals within the county who would like to develop their knowledge and capacity on these topics in an increasingly diverse Donegal.
Attendees must participate in 3 sessions to finish the training, with 16 available sessions over the two-month period. Tea, coffee and lunch will be provided, and a certificate will be given to those who complete the programme.
There is no minimum or maximum group size for training. The multiple sessions allow groups flexibility in which sessions different members attend. If you would like to book please contact Dr Freya Stancombe-Taylor, Intercultural Project Coordinator (Diversity in Decision Making & Pride Not Prejudice) freya@donegaltravellersproject.ie
Read the latest news from Age Friendly Ireland HERE
Bundoran Community Centre
Read Bundoran’s Community Centre July Newsletter HERE
Irish Environmental Network
Read the latest news from IEN HERE
Letterkenny Community Centre
Ready for your next step?
Join NEXTSTEP: Career Ready @ LCC and build the skills, confidence and knowledge employers are looking for.
Starts 20th July
€15 per person
Register HERE
What’s on at Artlink July August
Read the latest news from Artlink HERE
What’s on at Artlink July August
Read the latest news from Artlink HERE
What’s on at Artlink July August
Read the latest news from Artlink HERE
Rural Action Newsletter
Read the latest news from Rural Action HERE
Register Your Heritage Week Events
Got an idea for Heritage Week? Now’s your chance to bring it to life in Donegal.
National Heritage Week runs 15–23 August, and event registration is now open.
Get yours in by 24 July to be included in the official Donegal event guide. Full details and register
Nominations are now open for the Full Circle Awards, an innovative initiative celebrating everyday people across Ireland who repair, reuse and refurbish rather than discard.
The awards recognise ordinary individuals making an extraordinary impact through circular living, with the public invited to nominate local champions across six categories. Winners receive a €2,000 prize, a handcrafted trophy made from upcycled materials, and promotion through Circular.ie, social media and press coverage.
The categories cover a broad range of activity: Repair and Reuse Champion, for those who extend the life of clothing, tools, furniture or electronics; Community Circular Champion, for organisers of swap events, sharing libraries or repair cafés; Creative Circular Design, for artists and innovators tackling waste through design; Circular Living Advocate, for educators and content creators promoting zero-waste lifestyles; Circular Sports Champion, for athletes and clubs embracing sustainable equipment; and Best Community Campaign, recognising Ireland’s strongest community-led circular initiatives.
The awards target grassroots action rather than corporate sustainability work. Eligible nominees include community activists, individuals developing circular solutions, micro-business owners and sole traders with ten employees or fewer, and those at social enterprises with up to 250 staff. Full-time sustainability consultants and large businesses with dedicated sustainability teams are excluded. Nominees must be 18 or over and aware of their nomination, though self-nomination is allowed.
Full guidelines and the nomination form are available at circular.ie/full-circle-awards-2026, with submissions closing 24 July.
Please remember that Alone’s National Support and Referral Line is available to provide information, advice and support, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days week. Simply dial 0818 222 024, anytime between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Community Smoke Alarm Scheme
An additional €100,000 has been announced to provide specially adapted smoke alarms for more vulnerable members of our society and asking people to check in with vulnerable neighbours, family, and friends in their communities.
The local authority arranges for the supply and where necessary the local community and voluntary group will arrange the installation of two ten-year self-contained smoke alarms For details contact the fire services within your local authority for an application form.
Contact number – 074 912 1676
Clann Credo – Community Loan Finance
Financing Community Ambition!
Calling all community groups, approved housing bodies, family resource centres, sports clubs, charities and social enterprises – If you are planning a project or service that delivers a social benefit in your local community, Clann Credomay be able to help!
The social finance offered by Clann Credo is designed for community groups and comprises term loans and bridging loans. You may need a bridging loan to enable you to avail of grant aid offered by a public body and/or you may require a term loan to deliver your project or service where grant aid is not available or does not meet the full cost of the project.
Community groups up and down the country have secured social finance from Clann Credo. But Clann Credo is much more than a source of finance – they understand the stops and starts of managing community projects. It is their understanding of community development and volunteerism that positions them as a trusted community finance partner for over 600 community borrowers.
Clann Credo is a registered charity with a national remit. They have staff ready to assist your community group – it’s never too early to talk to Clann Credo about your community’s project!
For more information check out the Clann Credo website www.clanncredo.ie or contact them – info@clanncredo.ie / 01 400 2100.
Donegal Public Participation Network 