Minister Joe O’Brien announces funding for Place-Based Leadership Development Programme in Dublin areas

The Place-Based Leadership Development Programme will build on the experience and learnings from the previous programme in Darndale and Drogheda.
Empower Local Development Company in partnership with the Dublin City Community Co-operative will lead out on the Programme which will be delivered over an 18-month period.

Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD today (20/05/2024) announced funding for a further iteration of the Place-Based Leadership Development Programme to be launched in Balbriggan and South West Inner City Dublin.

Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, this important Programme will build on the recommendations and learnings from the interim and final evaluation reports of the impactful Leading for Collective Impact - Darndale & Drogheda which took place between January 2022 – May 2023.

The Place-Based Leadership Programme will be delivered over an 18-month period and will specifically focus on:

Enabling participants to develop a deeper appreciation of the strategic, regional and local context and the significance they can play in providing collective local leadership.
Enabling participants to develop a stronger self-awareness and appreciation of their own strengths and weaknesses in relation to becoming an effective collaborative leader.
Encouraging participants to align their own behaviours and competencies to expected behaviours and practices, thereby acting as a role model to bring others with them.

One of the key benefits of place-based leadership is that it opens up new perspectives and possibilities for those involved. By focusing on the specific needs and challenges of a particular place, leaders are able to develop innovative solutions that are tailored to the unique circumstances of that community.

Minister Joe O’Brien said:

“I am delighted to announce the Place-Based Leadership Development Programme will now be launched in Balbriggan and South West Inner City Dublin following the continued success of the programme in Darndale and Drogheda. The Place-Based Leadership initiative is aimed at supporting individuals who are dedicated to improving the lives of people in their areas and in this instance in Balbriggan and South West Inner City Dublin. I had the opportunity to see first-hand the success of the course in Darndale and Drogheda and am delighted to now be in a position to provide funding which will support and empower the participants to tackle complex social challenges and make a positive impact in Balbriggan and South West Inner City Dublin.

The Minister continued:

“The Place-Based Leadership Development Programme offers a unique opportunity for participants to come together and work towards designing, implementing, and reviewing innovative solutions to the pressing issues facing their areas.”

Minister Joe O’Brien Concluded:

“By supporting and nurturing the leadership potential of individuals working to improve the lives of others, we are laying the foundation for a brighter and more inclusive future for all. I look forward to witnessing the transformative outcomes of this programme and to seeing how its participants will continue to drive positive change in their communities and beyond.”

Adeline O’Brien, CEO of Empower, said:

“Empower are delighted to work with the Co-Op on the Place-Based Leadership Development Programme. Through our work, we understand that a community-based approach is the most effective way to address social issues and reduce the impact of poverty and disadvantage in the Balbriggan area. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with the local community and our stakeholders to develop leadership skills that will have a transformational impact on those at risk in our local area.”

Also welcoming the launch of the new Place Based Leadership Programme, Noel Wardick CEO of Dublin Inner City Community Co-operative said:

“We are delighted to partner with our colleagues in Empower on this exciting initiative and we look forward to implementing the Place-Based Leadership Programme in Dublin’s south west inner city. The Co-op has worked for many years across the inner city and we know that focused, area based initiatives that incorporate local contexts and circumstances have the best results. The Place-Based Leadership Programme is one such initiative”.

Notes

The Place-Based Leadership Programme will be delivered over an 18-month period and will specifically focus on enabling participants to develop a deeper appreciation of the strategic, regional and local context and the significance they can play in providing collective local leadership.
The Place-Based Leadership Development Programme will be launching in the South West Inner City Dublin & Balbriggan.
The Programme is an investment in local leaders to help them address the challenges experienced in those areas. The Place-Based Leadership Development programme will strengthen the capacity of those already working hard to improve the quality of community life in Balbriggan and the South West Inner City. The programme encourages and facilitates collaboration among community resources and leaders, positively impacting the culture of the area.
Empower Local Development Company will be leading out on the Programme in partnership with the Dublin City Community Co-operative.
It is envisaged that following a successful procurement, 24 participants will undertake the programme in both areas, a total of 48.
Funding of €232,100 has been secured and will be provided to Empower Local Development Company (this funding covers both Balbriggan & South West Inner City Dublin) who are running the programme.