Local Development Week 2025, held last week, was marked by over 50 activities and events all over the country and here we provide a snapshot.

In Co. Donegal, Inishowen Development Partnership had a huge turnout for its Insight into Employment and Training in Inishowen workshop at its Buncrana office (pictured above). It provided an insight into employment and training opportunities available on the peninsula. The event was led by the organisation’s employment support team in collaboration with Connecting Communities officer Patricia Higgins.

Galway City Partnership held an event to shine a light on the work being done under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) to address climate change at a local level. The keynote speaker was environmental activist and broadcaster Duncan Stewart. The day also saw the Partnership launch its new video ‘Our Community, Our Climate’.

In Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim, a fantastic morning was spent celebrating the graduates of a number of programmes developed through a partnership between the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board and Leitrim Development Company. Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harking presented certificates to learners who completed Culinary Skills (Level 5) and Horticulture (QQI Level 4).

In Limerick, the PAUL Partnership hosted A flagship event in the People’s Park, on a sundrenched Thursday, May 15. It showcased community-based services and programmes available in Limerick city and celebrated social inclusion, health, wellbeing, and making connections.

“Summer in the City” in Limerick’s People’s Park this Thursday, 2025. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick, May 15, Paul Partnership celebrated Local Development Week 2025 by hosting their flagship event

Also in the west, Sligo LEADER Partnership supported the official opening of the Hello Goodlife Health and Wellbeing Hub in Ballinalack Community Park which it describes as an example of “a strong, proactive community making the most of LEADER funding”. The park has community gym tailored to the needs of the over-50s population.

Also as part of Local Development Week, Sligo LEADER Partnership hosted a networking cycling event to Rosses Point entitled ‘Hello, How Are You?’. Staff from the HSE and the Atlantic Technological University took part in the cycle.

• Also as part of Local Development Week, Sligo LEADER Partnership hosted a networking cycling event to Rosses Point.

Midleton based SECAD Partnership paid a visit to Fota Wildlife Park — one of the region’s key tourist attractions and a long-standing local non-profit organisation dedicated to conservation, education, and public engagement with wildlife. Over the years, SECAD has supported Fota’s development, including helping the venue earn grant funding. Its ongoing support also includes work placements through the Tús programme, and opportunities for training, marketing, and networking through the Ring of Cork initiative. During the visit, the SECAD team heard Fota’s assistant CEO Suzanne Kearney tell about Fota’s evolution.