Community and voluntary groups in Clondalkin and Tallaght are invited to submit eligible projects for consideration under the new SÍOL Programme.

Projects must be ready to commence and deliver long-term community benefits.

Submit project proposals by Wednesday 12 August 2026.

The Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) 2026 is now open for applications, offering grants of €1,000–€25,000 to support community-led projects focused on biodiversity, climate action, sustainability and environmental enhancement across South Dublin County.

Eligible SDC PPN registered groups, including Tidy Towns, Residents' Associations and voluntary community organisations, are encouraged to apply.

🗓 Application Deadline: Friday, 7 August 2026 

South Dublin County Council is inviting community groups and local partnerships to submit expressions of interest for the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) 2026/2027.

Enjoy free family-friendly lunchtime entertainment every Saturday in August at Corkagh Park.

Featuring music, comedy, juggling, acrobatics and plenty of fun for all ages in the Outdoor Performance Space beside the Park House Café.

We are delighted to confirm the new date for the South Dublin County PPN Plenary Meeting.

📅 Thursday, 17 September 2026

Further details, including the agenda, venue and registration information, will be shared soon.

We look forward to welcoming our members and community representatives for this important meeting.

A range of events and activities will be taking place across local libraries in the coming weeks, offering opportunities for all ages to get involved. From workshops and talks to family-friendly sessions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Self-paced online training is available for PPN stakeholders through Social Justice Ireland. Modules cover topics including PPNs, local government, consultations, facilitation, strategic planning and measuring outcomes.

Available to PPN workers, Secretariat members, representatives, member groups, Local Authority staff and elected councillors.

Register HERE

CCarmichael’s Autumn/Winter 2026 Scheduled Training Programme is now open for bookings, offering a range of new and returning courses to support nonprofits and their teams.

A free 6-week Biodiversity Awareness & Action Planning Course is available for community groups interested in improving local green spaces.

Participants will learn practical biodiversity skills, habitat management and how to create their own Biodiversity Action Plan.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has launched a public consultation on proposed new and improved bus services for Clonburris.

Residents and communities are invited to share their views to help shape future transport services.

Consultation closes: 21 August

The public consultation on the next Climate Action Plan is now open.

Share your views on how Ireland can accelerate climate action and reduce emissions across key sectors.

Deadline: 17 August 2026 at 5.30pm.

South Dublin County Council is inviting submissions on Proposed Material Alterations to Variation No. 3 – City Edge Strategic Urban Regeneration Framework (SURF) of the County Development Plan 2022–2028.

The consultation is open from Friday 24 July to Friday 21 August 2026.

Members of the public, community groups and interested parties can view the proposed alterations and make a submission through the SDCC consultation portal.

Deadline for submissions: Friday 21 August 2026 

Social Justice Ireland is conducting a short survey to explore barriers faced by small community groups when accessing bank accounts and basic financial services.

Your feedback will help inform research aimed at improving access to financial services for community organisations.

Survey closes: 31 October 2026.

South Dublin County PPN is recruiting a Support Officer to join our team and help support members, deliver PPN activities and strengthen community participation across the county.

Closing date: 7 August 2026 at 12 noon. Please share with anyone who may be interested.

 

Win training up to the value of €240 by entering the Good Governance Awards!
Category 1 entrants (Nonprofits with an annual income of less than €100,000) are eligible to win up to 3 free places on Carmichael’s Scheduled Training Courses. 

The RSA's Check it Fits service will visit Maynooth (10 August), Kildare (11 August) and Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Rathfarnham (12 August), offering free child car seat safety checks and expert fitting advice.

Over half of child car seats checked in Ireland are fitted incorrectly. Drop by to ensure your child's seat is fitted safely and correctly.

Find out more at www.checkitfits.ie.

A new national awareness campaign has been launched to highlight the important role of Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in supporting and strengthening communities across Ireland.

A dedicated online resource hub provides information on the work of LCDCs, Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs), training resources, and videos showcasing LCDCs in action.

The resource is useful for community and voluntary groups, PPN members, and local organisations looking to learn more about community development structures and supports in their area.

The Arts in Education National Day takes place on Saturday 7 November 2026 at TU Dublin.

This year’s theme is “The Future is Creative: Why arts and creativity in education matter more than ever.”

Artists, educators, teachers, academics and creative practitioners are invited to submit presentations or workshops exploring areas such as arts in education and AI or creativity, nature and sustainability.

Deadline for submissions: Wednesday 16 September 2026.

Community Gardens Ireland and the National Biodiversity Data Centre have launched a new Pollinator Guide for Community Gardens, sharing tips on creating wildlife-friendly spaces, supporting biodiversity and reducing pesticide use.

The Cycle of Hope: Mizen to Malin Challenge takes place from 6–11 September to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

The awareness cycle aims to promote hope, connection and conversations around suicide prevention. We encourage communities to support and share this important initiative.

The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026–2030 was launched at the 2026 Social Inclusion Forum. This key document outlines the Government’s commitment to tackling poverty and social exclusion and is an important resource for the community and voluntary sector.

SDG Week 2026 takes place from 19–27 September 2026.

Communities, organisations and groups are invited to get involved by hosting events and activities that promote the Sustainable Development Goals.

Register your event HERE.

The Irish Environmental Network has a range of upcoming events on topics including agroforestry, river health, biodiversity, food growing and volunteering.

The latest newsletter also highlights the Restore Nature: Native Woodlands project, showcasing opportunities to restore and reconnect Ireland's native woodlands under the EU Nature Restoration Regulation.

Welcome to our August newsletter!

I hope you've all had the chance to enjoy some of the summer. It's been a busy few weeks across South Dublin County, with plenty of funding opportunities, consultations, training and community events happening over the coming months.

As always, thank you to all our member groups and community representatives for the incredible work you do every day. Your dedication continues to make a real difference across our communities.

Don't forget to save the date for our South Dublin County PPN Plenary Meeting on Thursday, 17 September. I look forward to meeting many of you there and continuing to work together to strengthen community participation across the county.

If there's anything you'd like to see featured in future newsletters, or if your group has news or an upcoming event to share, we'd love to hear from you.

Until next time,

Denise Harte Gleeson
Coordinator
South Dublin County Public Participation Network

On behalf of the PPN Secretariat:  David Kortukohan, NCBI; Enda Creegan, Abbeydale and Abbeywood Residents Association;, Justin Byrne, An Taisce, Rita Harte, WCI Lucan, Michael Noonan, Manortown FC; Susuana Komolafe, Afro in Diaspora Center.

South Dublin County PPN

Where to find us
www.sdcppn.ie