Carlow PPN Submission to Carlow Draft County Development Plan

The Carlow Public Participation Network is an independent organisation and framework for public engagement and participation with sustainability and wellbeing at its core. The aim of this structure is to facilitate and enable public organisations operating within the wider community to articulate and give voice to a diverse range of views, issues and interests within the local government system.

In County Carlow there are currently 453 community groups across the three colleges - community and voluntary, social inclusion and environmental affiliated to Carlow PPN. The nature of these groups is extremely diverse. Representatives from the PPN membership are elected to boards/committees throughout the County to represent the community voice and donate their time voluntarily. For the first time, the PPN has granted these local community volunteers a voice in local decision-making that directly affects them and their communities.

This submission draws on the County Carlow Community Wellbeing Vision. The Vision for Community Wellbeing meant thinking about what we have and what we need to help each Municipal District of Carlow county to be as great as it can be for us and for future generations.