Our Vision for Galway City
A creative and inclusive city that respects and values its people and communities, their wellbeing and quality of life that will develop a vibrant, sustainable economy and environment, and participative and transparent governance.
Our Mission
The twin objectives that GCCN pursues are to:
- Advance the values of sustainability, equality, culture, community, empowerment and inclusivity and embed these in the policies, programmes and practice of local government, state organisations, national government and civil society.
- Develop and implement progressive models of and approaches to representation, participation and engagement for civil society in informing and shaping policy development and implementation.
The role of Galway City Community Network is:
- To act as a platform for the groups/organisations engaged in the community, voluntary and environmental sectors in Galway City to develop policy and positions on issues of common concern to the sectors and to communities and to advocate for these policies and positions to be implemented.
- To facilitate the representation of the community, voluntary and environmental sectors on the Local Community Development Committee, the Strategic Policy Committees, the Joint Policing Committee, other local government and local development bodies and any local, regional, national or international body deemed appropriate by the Galway City Community Network.
- To contribute to the development and achievement of a vision for the well-being of this and future generations.
Where did Galway City Community Network come from?
As part of the Reform of Local Government Act 2014, local authorities were required to establish Public Participation Networks in each local authority area. Galway City Council designated Galway City Galway City Community Network as the Public Participation Network for Galway City.
Following a series of public meetings and an information campaign, which included advertisements in the local papers and extensive coverage on local radio, a new registration process was initiated and groups/ organisations wishing to become members of the PPN were required to register using this process. The Public Participation Network for Galway City was established in September 2014, hereafter to be known as the Galway City Community Network.
Galway City Community Network acts as the representative, collective voice of community, voluntary and environmental organisations in Galway City. Galway City Community Network will engage as an equal and independent partner and will assert the rights of the sector to organise and structure its own participation in arenas of social partnership.