Offaly PPN
Offaly PPN - The Environmental Pillar
Green Offaly would not exist today if it wasn’t for the PPN! The Public Participation Network is the Collective voice of the Community and Voluntary sector in Offaly. The PPN is the recognised link through which the local authority connects with the community, voluntary and environmental sectors to facilitate input by the public into local government. To find out more visit Offaly PPN.
Building a Strong Environmental Pillar in Offaly
In May 2018 a new PPN Environmental Representative was elected to sit on the Offaly Local Community Development Committee. At the time it was noted that Communities were finding it difficult to get involved in Environmental Projects. We knew that people were concerned about the planet, so we set about asking Communities what they felt they needed in order to respond to Climate Change and Biodiversity loss.
People wanted to take positive action to make their local areas more climate resilient but it seemed a daunting task. Groups and individuals who wanted to lead in green issues found that they lacked technical knowledge in key areas such as renewable energy, resources and government support, the time and the tools needed to effect change and most importantly many were facing massive change to their way of life with the impending closure of Bord Na Mona peat operations.
This is why Green Offaly has been created as a central resource to assist our Communities through the changes ahead.
The Environmental Pillar of the PPN is a great way to get your local voice heard when it comes to Climate, Land use, Energy, Biodiversity and other ‘green’ issues.
It is easy to become a member and there are over 500 community & voluntary groups who are already members. The Environmental Pillar needs a strong linkage group to work properly, learn more here.
We would encourage every community group to nominate a person to form part of the linkage group. If you are interested in joining you can email info@offalyppn.ie or contact us to find out more.
Once we have enough members for the group we can start to facilitate regular meetings, discuss the issues concerning us and most importantly get our voices heard at government level.
The Irish Environmental Network
The Irish Environmental Network is an umbrella network that works to support nationally active environmental NGOs through access to funding and services. It consists of environmental NGOs that carry out their work through practical conservation work, campaigning, lobbying and raising public awareness of environmental and conservation needs.
On a local level, the IEN is assisting with the development of the Environmental Colleges of the Public Participation Networks, and supporting local environmental networking groups through provision of training and services. In Offaly, this means supporting the work of the Offaly Public Participation Network and Green Offaly, as well as extending the invitation for training to all groups and individuals who share an interest in environment, climate and biodiversity challenges.
Communication plays a vital role in creating sustainable communities throughout Ireland. By connecting with each other we can share our knowledge and experience, promote best practice, and keep each other up to date on how to affect national priorities based on local needs.
To connect with other networks and groups in Ireland, you can see a list of all local environmental networks and public participation networks at www.LEN.ie. You can also find environmental groups throughout Ireland on our map, and promote your own environmental group on this map also.
Check out 7 Keys for Growing an Active Membership video here.