Minister of State Jerry Buttimer launches Stakeholder Consultation on the development of a new strategy to support the community and voluntary sector
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 3 July 2025
- Last updated on: 4 July 2025
Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, today (Thursday, 3 July) announced the commencement of a stakeholder consultation on the development of a new government strategy to support the sector. The consultation will give organisations across the community and voluntary sector an opportunity to contribute to the new strategy. The Minister made the announcement on a visit to community projects supported by East Clare Community Co-operative Society Limited.
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.
Announcing the commencement, Minister Buttimer said:
“Following a review the implementation of the Strategy over the last five years, I am pleased to announce that I have asked officials in my department to commence the development of a new strategy to support the community and voluntary sector. This stakeholder consultation is the first step in an extensive strategy development process which will continue throughout 2025. The government is very aware of the need to support this sector which contributes to a more just Ireland, working in communities to continue to build a more inclusive, empowered, equitable and prosperous society.
"The existing strategy, launched in 2019, has achieved significant outcomes over the intervening years. It is appropriate to continue this valuable work, and I look forward to a new strategy which can again bring together the state and the community and voluntary sector to work towards shared objectives, and deliver the best outcomes for all.
“Over the last number of years, the community and voluntary sector has played a vital role in fostering civil engagement, promoting social and climate justice, and providing essential services to its members right across this country. Going forward, it is imperative that we retain and build on the positive relationships and accomplishments of the previous strategy and that we continue to support the sector through the collective actions that will be identified and implemented over the lifetime of this government.”
The development of the new strategy will be led by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, in collaboration with the Cross-Sectoral Group on local and community development. The department will engage with national and local government and key stakeholders from the community and voluntary sector.
The new strategy will set out clear objectives, and specific actions to be implemented in a collaborative manner.
The online stakeholder consultation is available here and is open until close of business on Friday 15 August 2025. All responses received will be treated in confidence.
Notes
Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland 2019-2024
The five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland set out a long-term vision for our communities in Ireland. It set a general direction of travel for government policy in relation to the community development, local development and the community and voluntary sectors for the coming decade. The Strategy was co-produced by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Central and Local Government colleagues, and the community and voluntary sectors. The current strategy is available on gov.ie.