Community and Integrated Development

About Community Futures

Find out more about Mayo Community Futures

• For Further Information

  Contact:

  gleneghan@communityfutures.ie or by phone 087-2585957

  mreillydavey@communityfutures.ie or by phone 087-7414141

  communityfutures@mayococo.ie

  Offices: South West Development Company, Main Street, Balla

• Programme outcomes
  • Encourages more people to become active and involved in their communities 
  • Strengthens and develops local community organisations 
  • Helps communities to identify and progress priority projects and actions 
  • It helps funding agencies to answer the commonly asked question – How do you know this project (or service) is important to the community? 
  • Ensures that the needs and aspiration of the community feed into County strategic planning processes 
  • Gives communities a document, backed up by their community, to represent their interests at local, county and national level 
• How to apply? 

  The programme is advertised through local newspapers and through the Public Participation Network (PPN).  You can also register your interest at any time by calling 094 9064000, email: communityfutures@mayococo.ie. Interested communities undergo an interview process to determine their readiness and ability to deliver the programme. 

• Communities who participated in the programme

  To view Community Futures Map please click the following link - Mayo Community Futures Plans (arcgis.com)

  • 2007 Ballycroy, Ballyhaunis, Carrowmore-Lacken (Kilcummin), Islandeady                        
  • 2008 Balla, Carracastle-Rooskey, Louisburgh, Killeen, Partry 
  • 2010 Foxford, Killawalla, Mulranny, Turlough 
  • 2011 Ardagh, Kilkelly, Newport 
  • 2012 Belcarra, Tourmakeady 
  • 2013 Carnacon, Kiltane, Swinford 
  • 2014 Straide, Clare Island 
  • 2015 Killala, Charlestown, Crossmolina, Inishturk 
  • 2016 Ballyglass, Knock 
  • 2017 Achill 
  • 2019 Belmullet, Kiltimagh 
  • 2022 Ballyheane, Aughagower, Ballintubber
  • 2023 Ballinrobe
• What’s involved for each community? 

  Communities taking part in Community Futures must set up a Community Futures Steering Group which brings together representatives from a broad selection of local clubs and organisations to help steer the planning process locally. The Steering Group is assigned a Community Support Volunteer who helps and guides you through the process and helps you carry out the community consultation that feeds into the plan. 

• Community consultation steps
  • Stakeholder interviews
  • A household and business survey 
  • Youth consultation 
  • Meetings with different individuals and sectors of the community 
  • The preparation of a community profile detailing community facts and figures 
  • A Community Day - allows people to see the results of the survey and vote with dots on what they think is most important.

    At the end of the consultation a Community Action Plan is written which summarises

  • The vision for the future of your community 
  • The community’ current situation  
  • The main issues that need to be addressed 
  • The main priorities for projects and actions 
  • The plan is distributed to all households and to relevant public agencies.  
• How long does it take? 

  The process takes around 6 months once the community is chosen. 

• How much does it cost? 

  Most of the cost is absorbed by Community Future, but the community might have some extra costs for posters, refreshments at the Community Day etc. 

• What happens when the Action Plan is completed?

  When communities complete their Action Plan, they are assigned a Support Worker to help them carry out the project in the Action Plan. The programme also runs a number of network meetings throughout the county annually where all the communities can share their experiences and skills.