Clare Public Participation Network is the voice of community groups in County Clare. We are a publicly-funded, independent network of more than 400 not-for-profit organisations throughout the county.

Our core mission is to make sure community groups have a say in how the county is run. We offer training and support for our member groups, act as an information and networking hub, and facilitate the election of community representatives to committees of Clare County Council and other policy-making bodies.

Clare PPN was established in 2015 and is managed by a voluntary board known as the Secretariat, nominated and elected by the PPN’s member groups. Our diverse membership is divided into three pillars, or ‘Colleges’ – Community & Voluntary, Environmental and Social Inclusion. Membership of Clare PPN is free and we encourage all eligible groups to register. Find out more about joining here.

Our goals also include:
• Creating and working towards a vision for the wellbeing of this and future generations in Clare.
• Identifying issues of collective concern and working to influence policy locally in relation to these issues.
• Enabling and encouraging members to engage in public consultations.

Flat structure
Clare PPN has a horizontal or flat structure. This means that all member groups of the PPN have an equal voice and an equal input into decision-making. The PPN is a collective, accommodating a wide range of diverse views and perspectives. It supports each member to develop new skills and contribute in an equal way to the organisation.

The main decision making body of Clare PPN is the Plenary. This is a meeting that’s open to all member groups and should take place at least twice a year to review the workings of the PPN and set the agenda for the coming period.

The Secretariat, a voluntary board elected by the membership, is responsible for overseeing the work of Clare PPN between Plenary meetings.

Influence policy
Members of Clare PPN can influence policy in several ways, including by electing representatives from among our members to policy committees and other decision-making bodies; and by participating in public consultations.