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'Changing Ireland' is Ireland's No.1 community development magazine, publishing quality journalism since 2001. Volunteer-run, not-for-profit, based in Moyross, Limerick, employing one editor and freelance contributors. Core-funded by the Dept. of Rural and Community Development.
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Monaghan’s Gabriel O’Connell wants more young people involved in community development

Posted by Changing Ireland | Sep 1, 2025 | OPINION/ADVICE

Gabriel O’Connell, CEO of Monaghan Integrated Development, retires this autumn and after 26 years working in the community and voluntary sector we thought – correctly – that he may have some wisdom to impart. He gave a fascinating interview to OWEN RYAN recently, including advice for people engaged in community development, for policy-makers and all who believe in the importance of community development.
Of interest, Gabriel does not see the need for commercial tendering for the services delivered by local development companies on behalf of the State. He also reveals his current reading, his liking for Clint Eastwood, and how his work influenced his own journey.

UL course empowers community leaders of the future

Posted by Changing Ireland | Jul 14, 2025 | Empowerment (Editor's Choice)

The CWELL programme, a University of Limerick diploma designed by communities for communities, is providing training for people interested in helping the areas they live in.

“The acronym CWELL stands for Community, Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and Lifeskills. Those were the themes that came out in the initial collaborations with the parish. They became the core of what CWELL is about,” said Eileen Hoffler, a community engagement facilitator with UL.

It began in St Mary’s Parish and has expanded to include other regeneration areas of Limerick, and Eileen says it offers a lot to people who are often already involved in the community.

Follow me on a solidarity visit to rural communities in Palestine’s West Bank

Posted by Changing Ireland | Jun 4, 2025 | Activism & Volunteering

While Gaza is almost completely under siege, Palestine’s West Bank, despite Israeli attacks there, remains accessible to community workers and humanitarian workers seeking to provide support, bear witness and show solidarity. Oliver Moore went with a farming organisation and visited mostly rural communities in the West Bank:

2 days left to sign crucial petition supporting LEADER

Posted by Changing Ireland | Jun 4, 2025 | Funding Programmes

The EU must not neglect rural areas and policymakers must put Community Led Local Development (CLLD) at the heart of the continent’s long-term rural development policy.

That’s the message coming from Local Development Companies and supporters of LEADER countrywide as the deadline looms to sign a petition (which takes 1 minute) demanding that CLLD be made central to Europe’s long term rural development policy.

Wicklow’s proof that community development works in addiction recovery

Posted by Changing Ireland | May 27, 2025 | Development Work

At first, they didn’t know why they were there.

When I arrived at Tiglin’s Aftercare Programme in Greystones to deliver a module on Sustainable Community Development, I was met with blank stares and blunt honesty.

Some participants, like Gerry, told me outright: “I don’t see how this is useful to me”. Others said they planned to return to trades and couldn’t see how learning about community development would fit into their lives. For a few, the idea of anything resembling formal education brought a visible wave of unease.

Author: Changing Ireland