Youghal Blue and Green Community Network members Maria Power, Martha Cashman, Teresa Ahearne and Gráinne Furey Joined community groups from Dingle, Loop head, Inishowen,The Aran Islands and Green Offaly for a two day conference called “Local Futures” in Charleville castle, Tullamore,Co.Offaly on 13th & 14thOctober 2022.
Eco Eye environmentalist Duncan Stewart facilitated and took part in several knowledge sharing workshops examining challenges and solutions the aim of which is to shape Government policy in order to better support and resource communities at local level
Building community resilience to climate crisis in what all communities agreed is an extremely challenging time for everyone, that has created a new era in community development. Looking to the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs)as a shared blueprint to aid the achievement of local solutions that interlink with global challenges and social inclusion at our core.
Various difficulties such as core funding, social inclusion, working with other partners and external stakeholders whilst meeting the needs of community development in a fair, just and transparent manner were outlined and a document is being drawn up from the learning outcomes of the 2-day conference.
This important document will be delivered to the Department of Environment and the Department of Rural and Community development to better recognise the need for specifically focused funding to drive positive climate action response and support sustainable energy communities.
