On July 16th, Kildare Public Participation Network (PPN) had the honour of addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development. Representing over 830 community groups across the county, Coordinator Gráinne Fleming delivered a strong message: while our network has grown in size and responsibility, the supports we receive have not kept pace.

Gráinne shared that since January, Kildare PPN has welcomed 149 new groups, highlighting the growing appetite for civic involvement in our rapidly expanding county. Yet despite this growth, our core funding has remained largely unchanged since 2016, even as inflation and service demands increase.

The message was clear: we are proud of our achievements, but we’re stretched to capacity. Gráinne outlined the need for proper staff recognition, longer-term funding models, additional supports for PPN Representatives and urgent clarification on financial policies that impact leave entitlements.

This was an important opportunity to make our members’ voices heard at the highest level. Our presentation aimed to secure greater investment in community engagement, digital inclusion, and volunteer support, so that we can continue to be a strong, effective voice for Kildare’s community sector.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on progress and thank all our members for your continued support.

The Rediscovery Centre announce the Full Circle Awards, recognising everyday heroes who are making extraordinary efforts across Ireland’s circular economy. With prizes of €2,000, these awards will help winners scale their circular initiatives and inspire community action nationwide.

Do you know someone breathing new life into household items? A teacher sparking sustainability in the classroom? Or a neighbour organising clothing swaps and sharing events? Now’s your chance to celebrate their efforts and give them the recognition they truly deserve.

The categories are:
Repair and Reuse Champion,  Community Circular Champion, Creative Circular Artist, Circular Living Advocate, Best Community Campaign, Young Circular Star (Under 18) 

Applications are now open for the 2025 Integration Fund. The fund enables communities to play a greater role in promoting migrant integration, with parts of the fund specifically focusing on people seeking international protection.

Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District Councillors allocated funding from Local Property Tax to the Community Innovation Fund to assist groups within the Municipal District. Following an earlier competition in March 2025, the scheme will reopen to groups who did not receive funding under that call. The members have agreed that the aim of the funding is to assist groups which encourage community participation, volunteerism and benefit local communities in the Municipal District. 

A maximum grant of € 5,000 can be applied for.

LGBTIQ+ Community Services Funding Call

Water Heritage Day Grants Scheme

KCC Climate Innovation Fund 2025 

Would you like to be kept up to date with what is going on in your area and alerted about weather alerts, boil notices, water disruptions, roadworks, flooding, and planning applications in your locality?

Map Alert is a handy free service that sends you e-mail or text alerts from Kildare County Council notifying you of the above.

When signing up you type in your Eircode to ensure you are only receiving updates and alerts directly relevant to you in your area.

To sign up, visit https://www.mapalerter.com/

The Irish Times is looking for readers to nominate Ireland’s Greenest Places, which they believe deserve to be recognised for their projects – big or small.

You can nominate a suburb, village, town or community across Ireland’s 32 counties for any of their wide-ranging efforts to improve our environment.

The gardens have reopened and are now open Thursday to Sunday from 9.00a.m.-5.00p.m. until the end of October. No tickets are required this
year to access the garden

CKAN are delighted to announce that construction is officially underway on a brand-new inclusive and accessible playground at Leixlip Amenities Centre! This dream project, spearheaded by Íde Cussen and Cllr. Bernard Caldwell of the Leixlip Access Group, and backed by the County Kildare Access Network (CKAN), is a shining example of collaboration between local access groups and the KCC Parks Department. With generous support from Intel, the park is designed to ensure that children of all abilities can laugh, play, and explore together.

Follow CKAN.ie and on their access group social media pages for further updates on the playground.

Have you got a plan to brighten up your club, community centre or school?

Enter the Dulux ‘Lets Colour Ireland’ scheme for a chance to get 100L paint for your local project: here: https://bit.ly/LetsColourIreland

Kildare County Council is awarding three bursaries, which are designed to provide an opportunity to study at third level, to persons who may not be in a position to undertake a course of study because of serious disadvantage or disability.

Further information in relation to the bursaries and application forms may be obtained here.

The Government has established a Local Democracy Taskforce to strengthen and reform local government. As part of this work, the Taskforce is consulting a number of stakeholders, including Kildare Public Participation Network to gather views on structures, functions, finance, and governance, informed by recent national reports. We’ve drafted the foundation of our submission but want to build on it with our members views and input to ensure it is reflective of our membership. 

View Kildare PPN Draft Submission 

Share your input and ideas here

Kildare County Council has published the Chief Executive’s Report for July, containing the most recent news, updates, and developments from across the county.

This monthly report provides insights into key areas such as housing, transport, community initiatives, planning, environment, economic development, arts and heritage, and more.

We are currently seeking nominations from Kildare PPN member groups for a number of positions on the Kildare PPN Secretariat.

Available Kildare PPN Secretariat Seats:

The Kildare PPN Secretariat is the administrative body that oversee the operations of the PPN, ensures the smooth operation of the PPN, and supports the network’s development. If you’re passionate about community engagement and have the skills to contribute, we encourage you to get involved.

We are currently seeking nominations from Kildare PPN member groups for 2 representative positions.

Available Seats 

Date: Tuesday 2nd of September Time: 7:00pm  Location: Online 

Running a community group means dealing with bank or credit union accounts, and there are processes you need to follow. This free 2-hour online session will explain what your group needs to know about setting up and managing accounts, legal responsibilities, Anti-Money Laundering legislation, and how to identify your group’s beneficial owners. Ideal for trustees, committee members, staff, and volunteers in the nonprofit sector.

Kildare PPN, in partnership with County Kildare LEADER Partnership, is inviting community groups to submit an Expression of Interest to host events for Social Inclusion Week 2025, taking place from September 22nd –27th.

This year, we are encouraging collaborative events involving multiple groups or communities.

We welcome all ideas, from workshops, cultural celebrations, talks, or creative projects. 

Kildare County Council/OPW invites you to the second non-statutory Public Participation Day (PPD) to learn about the Athy Flood Relief Scheme. This is your chance to share your views on all measures and options assessed for the Scheme.

Date: 24th July, Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Location: Athy Community Library

Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of our community.

Join CKLP for a Community Information Event at Rathangan Community Centre on Tuesday, 9th September!

Whether you’re new to the area or have lived here for years, this is a great opportunity to connect with local groups, services, and supports.

Want to showcase your organisation or service?

Book a FREE stand by contacting Rioana at rioana@countykildarelp.ie or 086 086 825 2120

Kildare County Council is developing a Town Renewal Plan for Maynooth, and want want YOUR input

Whether you live, study, work, or visit Maynooth, your voice matters in shaping a town that’s vibrant, inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready. Share your ideas on:

Kildare County Council is developing a Town Renewal Plan for Naas, and want want YOUR input

Whether you live, study, work, or visit Naas, your voice matters in shaping a town that’s vibrant, inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready.  You’ll be asked about:

Bord na Móna is reviewing the progress of our bog rehabilitation work that began in 2022, as part of their environmental obligations.

If you have any comments, feedback, or observations on the rehabilitation work, please share them with BnM by filling out this short questionnaire below

Community and Culture, Level 7, Áras Chill Dara, Naas, Co. Kildare

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