"Empowering the people of North Fingal to identify their needs and access resources and services to meet these needs".

Community initiatives at Co-operation Fingal are co-ordinated by the Assistant Manager, Noreen Colgan ( need to create a link here to Noreen photo and text) and the Community Project Worker (link to Lisa photo and text)

Community Development is focused on supporting people within the community to work together to develop skills, services and facilities to meet their needs. It is about building capacity so that individuals and groups can take ownership of initiatives that lead to a more equal and active community for all. Community Development is about being aware of both our own needs and those of others and empowering each other to participate in the community on an equal basis

The role of the Assistant Manager is to oversee the development of community activities in North Fingal . Many of the initiatives include improved service provision, county-wide developments and initiatives which support the wider community and meet the needs of several voluntary community groups, such as community facilities and the Fingal Volunteer Service

The role of the Community Project Worker is to support voluntary community groups to meet their identified need, to access resources and funding to deliver effective programmes, to work together on like minded initiatives and to promote awareness of and participation in their groups/organisations.

The work of the staff in the Community Development measure of Co-operation Fingal is particularly focused on creating links between individuals, groups and other agencies to promote best practice and avoid duplication so that communities are enhanced by the most effective use of available skills and resources.

In Summary, Community Development is all about:

• Participation
• Inclusion
• Empowerment
• Equality
• Consultation
• Awareness

Community development assists people to:

• Identify their needs
• Build the skills necessary to address their needs
• Access services and resources to meet their needs
• Form groups and networks that bring people with similar needs together
• Raise awareness of the issues of specific groups within the wider community
• Create a community that has a place for everyone, and treats everyone on an equal basis

Community Development focuses on people who are usually left out or find it hardest to take part. These include:

• People with disabilities
• Lone parents
• New Ethnic Communities
• Drug mis-users
• Travellers
• Ex-prisoners and their families
• Senior citizens
• And other groups who are socially, economically or geographically isolated

For more information, contanct Noreen Colgan on 01 802 0413, or by email at ncolgan@co-operatiofingal.ie. Follow the links below to see details of current Community Development projects: