Stakeholder Consultation: new government strategy to support the community and voluntary sector (ROI)

The Irish Government has launched a Stakeholder Consultation on the development of a new strategy to support the community and voluntary sector. The development of the strategy is led by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in collaboration with the Cross-Sectoral Group on local and community development.

This public consultation will give organisations across the community and voluntary sector an opportunity to contribute to the new strategy.

The announcement to develop a new whole-of-government strategy acknowledges the important role played by the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. It will reinforce the progress made under the current strategy: Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland 2019-2024, which was extended into 2025.

The new strategy will look to build upon the structures, achievements and objectives of Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities for the upcoming period 2026 – 2030. The development process itself will be rooted in the agreed set of values and principles for collaboration and partnership working with the community and voluntary sector at national and local level. These provide for foundation for all consultation, collaboration and partnership working between the community and voluntary sector and central and local government.

The online stakeholder consultation is available here. All responses received will be treated in confidence.

The deadline for submissions is 17:00, Friday, 15th August 2025.