Support for Communities
Built to Support Communities
Behind every strong community, there is an organisation doing the work, committees of volunteers, local groups, social enterprises, and nonprofits that show up every day for the people around them. At DLDC, we exist to support those organisations.
We provide free, practical guidance across employment, health, education, family services, volunteering, and rural development, helping community groups and organisations in County Donegal build capacity, access resources, and deliver more for the people they serve.
Community organisations play a crucial role in creating local employment opportunities, both by hosting work placement participants and by developing social enterprises that generate sustainable jobs. We provide the support and connections to help your organisation do both.
Hosting Work Placement Participants
Your organisation can host participants from our work placement programmes, including TÚS, the Rural Social Scheme, and the Community Employment Childcare Scheme. Participants bring additional capacity to your team while gaining real work experience in a supported environment. Our staff will guide you through becoming a host organisation, matching participants to your needs and providing ongoing coordination throughout the placement.
Social Enterprise as an Employment Creator
Social enterprises are increasingly important drivers of local employment in County Donegal. If your organisation is exploring social enterprise as a way to create sustainable jobs in your community, our team can provide mentoring, business development support, and guidance on governance, compliance, and funding. Whether you’re at the idea stage or ready to grow, we can help you build a model that works.
Community organisations are often the first point of contact for people facing health and wellbeing challenges. Through the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme and the PEACEPLUS Food Equality Initiative, we partner with community groups, family resource centres, and local organisations to deliver health supports directly in the settings where people feel most comfortable.
If your organisation works with people experiencing food insecurity, poor nutrition, or social isolation, we can help you integrate health and wellbeing activities into your existing work, providing training, resources, and ongoing coordination support to make it happen.
A well-trained committee and a learning culture within your organisation are the foundations of long-term success. We provide free training and development support to help community organisations build the skills they need to operate effectively, plan strategically, and grow with confidence.
Committee Training & Development
We offer practical training covering the essential skills of running a community organisation, from setting up a new group and CLG registration, to meeting management, budgeting, and annual and strategic planning. Our support is tailored to your organisation’s stage of development, whether you’re just getting started or looking to strengthen an established committee.
Governance & Compliance
Understanding and meeting your legal and regulatory obligations is essential for every community and voluntary organisation. We provide guidance on governance best practice, Charity Regulator compliance, and the Charity Regulator’s Governance Code, helping your organisation build the structures, policies, and processes needed to operate with transparency and accountability.
Many community organisations and family resource centres play a central role in delivering parenting and family supports at a local level. We work with these groups to help them access resources, develop programmes, and reach the families who need them most.
Through SICAP, we can support your organisation in running community-based parenting initiatives covering topics such as learning difficulties, dyslexia awareness, internet safety, nutrition, and practical parenting skills, providing coordination, facilitation support, and connections to funding where available.
Volunteers are at the heart of community life in County Donegal, and the Donegal Volunteer Centre has been connecting organisations with motivated volunteers since 2008, supporting over 600 community groups in that time.
If your organisation needs volunteers, registering with the Donegal Volunteer Centre gives you access to a pool of people ready to contribute their time and skills. Our team also supports you with volunteer management, helping you recruit, retain, and get the best from the people who give their time to your work. The service is entirely free and open to all registered community groups.
Rural communities across County Donegal face distinct challenges, from geographic isolation to limited infrastructure and access to services. Through the LEADER Rural Development Programme, we provide funding and project support to help community organisations tackle these challenges head-on.
LEADER grants of up to €200,000 are available for projects focused on rural infrastructure and social inclusion, or on environmental sustainability and climate action. Our Rural Development team works with community organisations from the earliest stages, helping you develop your project idea, confirm eligibility, and submit a strong application.
To find out more or request an Expression of Interest form, contact rdpleader@dldc.org.