Developing Your Community Organization
We work best when we work together, and sustainability actions will need to be collective rather than individual if we want them to have best effect.
This is a set of resources that gives you guidance on how to set up a voluntary or a community organization. It covers important topics like: identifying community needs, how to form a dedicated team, deciding on a suitable organizing structure.
Carrickmacross Toy Library
This is a volunteer-led, non-profit toy-lending service that is about reducing waste and over-consumption of toys by allowing people who mind and care for children to borrow toys instead of having to buy new ones. The toys are also carefully chosen to be as sustainable as possible and many are ‘pre-loved’
Pocket Forests – bringing nature into towns
Pocket Forests works on restoring biodiversity, soil health, and community connection by making small, dense plantings of native trees and shrubs in built up areas. They use the ideas from the Miyawaki or “Tiny Forest” approach. They also use permaculture to make richer and healthier soil that has become poor by being neglected. Since 2020, more than 100 pocket forests have been planted around Ireland. More than 1,500 people of all ages have taken part in workshops planting and other actions.
Mulranny: Use what’s in your community to develop it sustainably
Maeve interviews Carol Loftus, of the Sustainable Energy Community in Mulranny, Mayo. The discussion highlights the journey of Mulranny from a fading tourist spot to a thriving model of community-driven sustainable development. Carol outlines how projects emerged, how local people were mobilised, how outside expertise and funding were drawn in, and how sustainability has been woven into tourism, energy, and heritage initiatives.
An Mheitheal Rothar – Galway’s Community Bike Workshop
An Meitheal Rothar is a not for profit Co-operative and Sustainable Business run by a team that creates positive change. It was born from the idea that people could come together in a group or a cooperative, to help each other as part of a community. An Meitheal Rothar fixes bikes, sells bikes, and teaches people how to repair bikes. It gives bikes for people in need, it asks for more walking and cycling in Galway City, helps us re-use and recycling things more – what is called the ‘circular economy’. It also fights climate change, and thinks up new ideas about how we run our economy.
Stone Wall Festival — Rebuilding heritage the regenerative way
What started as a small, hands‑on community weekend became an example of regenerative tourism (where vistors make a place better while they visit it): visitors learn a traditional craft, rebuild a section of wall, and leave a visible legacy on the Great Western Greenway.
Working with Nature: The Rosmurrevagh Dunes Conservation Project
The Rosmurrevagh Dunes Project is a very strong example of community-led ecological restoration based in observation, care, and long-term commitment. Started by local farmers in 1996, the project began as an answer to bad erosion and . Over time, it became a leading example of learning together and how to protect the land from the sea using natural ways and not just building walls. Today, Rosmurrevagh is known as one of Ireland’s strongest sand dune systems. This was not just against erosion from the sea, but because the community learned to work with nature.
REScoop Action Guide for Stakeholder Engagement
This guide provides practical advice on how to engage citizens and stakeholders in renewable energy cooperative (REScoop) projects. It covers a wide range of topics, including: How to get started with a REScoop project. How to organize and manage a REScoop. How to finance a REScoop project. How to involve citizens in the production, consumption, and governance of REScoop projects, How to promote cooperation between REScoops
Social Enterprises In Ireland: Legal Structures Guide
This guide gives the reader lots of information on the legal structures available for social enterprises in Ireland. It includes general information, advantages and disadvantages of each legal structure, and case studies of social enterprises that have adopted different types of legal structures. The document also talks about what you should think about when choosing a suitable legal structure. These include where you may expect to get money supports from and the needs of stakeholders.
Social Enterprise Toolkit
A toolkit for social enterprises, including various exercises, strategies, and advice to help organizations succeed. It covers topics such as...
Community Energy: A Practical Guide to Reclaiming Power
A full guide all about community energy. It covers everything you need to build a core team, [tooltip text="how people get on with eachother in...
Tools for helping with Committee Setup (from SEAI SEC Programme)
This is a gateway or starting point into many resources offered by the SEAI. These are aimed at helping sustainable energy communities grom. It...
Collection of Resources for Community Groups (from Galway PPN)
A very large collection of resources, and guidelines specially made for community groups. It talks about topics from national policies and legal...
A Guide to Setting Up and Running a Residents Association
While this booklet is a detailed guide about how to set up a Residents Association, and how to manage it once you've set it up, its lessons are...
Setting Up a New Community Organization
Get thorough guidance on how to set up a voluntary or community organization. This document covers important topics like how to identify your...
Best Practice For Community Groups Guide
A comprehensive guide on best practices, strategies, and guidelines for community and voluntary groups. This guide covers essential topics such...
Board Roles Relationships and Boundaries
This is a presentation, providing an overview of board roles, relationships, and boundaries within the context of Galway Volunteer Centre. It...
REScoop Guide for Stakeholder Management
A manual detailing the engagement and management of stakeholders within renewable energy cooperatives (REScoops). It outlines initial steps for...
Self-Assessment RIPEET
Overview: This 2-page guide focuses on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), encompassing themes such as governance, open science, public...
The Wheel – Governance Guide
Overview: This in a comprehensive governance guide for community and voluntary organizations. It explores numerous governance facets including...