Linkage Group Facilitators 2026 by Cork City Public Participation Network

Training Dates 2026

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Training to be organised for a date in late 2026. Training can only run if there is enough people registered. Training likely to be a day long event on a Saturday.

What positions are available?

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Linkage Group Facilitator for the following Linkage Groups:

Housing, Planning and Transport x2

Climate Action and Environment & Natural Heritage x2

Diversity, Disability and Inclusion x2

Arts, Community, Heritage and Sport (including International Relations and Tourism) x2

Community Safety x2

Some of these positions are already filled; however, there is at least one (1) vacancy on each Linkage Group.

Linkage Group Policy

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

What is a Linkage Group?

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

A Linkage Group is a space for communities from across Cork City to come together under specific themes that are important to them. Here, they work to assess the challenges they face and find solutions to these problems together. They develop policy positions that inform their work and the work of PPN Representatives on decision-making committees. They are a member-led space that is supported by the Linkage Group Facilitator, the staff and the Secretariat.

What is a Linkage Group Facilitator?

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

A Linkage Group Facilitator supports the work of the Linkage Group.

At meetings:
They chair the meeting and ensure the agenda is followed
They support "seldom heard" people to contribute in a way that they are comfortable with and is accessible to them.

In-between meetings:
Support the ongoing work of the Linkage Group, such as setting agendas, following up on correspondence, seeking support from staff, and feeding into other processes.

To find out more, go to our more in-depth policy on Linkage Groups: Linkage Group Policy

What kind of committment is involved?

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Linkage Group Facilitators serve for 3 years*

There are 4 Linkage Groups per year:
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and you would be expected to attend and support these meetings in collaboration with representatives, staff and linkage group members. There will be an element of planning for meetings and liaising with members, but this is all supported by staff.

There are 4 Representatives Forums per year:
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. These are opportunities to meet and network with other PPN Representatives and engage in CPD Training.

There are 2 Plenaries per year:
Summer and Winter. These are where the member groups make high-level decisions about the direction of the Public Participation Network Cork City. They are like AGMs for other organisations.

Develop the Workplan for the Linkage Group:
This is done in a consultative way in collaboration with representatives and linkage group members, with full support and guidance from the staff.

*Linkage Group facilitators are volunteers. Whilst the initial commitment might be 3 years, it is understood that circumstances change in people's lives, and it might be necessary to stand down from a role or take a step back for a time. This is why we are using a co-facilitator model for this role.
Equally, Linkage Group Facilitators will be supported to take on tasks and develop competencies in a supportive and scaffolded manner by staff and Secretariat.

What are the benefits of volunteering for this role?

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Personal growth and capacity building
Access to training and support
Networking and connecting to others
Engaging in collective community action to solve to issues Cork City communities face
Learning facilitation skills and applying them to group work
Learning about local & national government structures and who is responsible for what
Learning about policy and how it affects individuals, communities and the country as a whole
Learning more about human rights, equality, social justice and sustainable development

What exclusions apply?

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Exclusions

You may apply to be a Linkage Group Facilitator if you are already a CCPPN Representative. However, you cannot be a Linkage Group Facilitator for a Linkage group that you are also a Representative for. Please do note that you will be taking on more responsibility and time commitments on top of your representative role and be prepared for the extra workload.

Conflicts of Interest/Loyalty
Sometimes a conflict of interest or loyalty may arise. If you believe you may have a COI/L, you should mention this in your nomination form.

Linkage Group Faciliator Nomination Form

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Closing Date: 11 February 2026

Housing, Planning and Transport

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Themes and Areas Covered by this Linkage Group and its related SPCs:

Urban Development Fund, Local Area Plans/Master Plans/Statutory Area Plans City Centre Retail Policy, Cork Area Strategic Plan Policy Reports, Protected Structures, Derelict Sites Policy, Docklands, City Development Plan – Policies, Enterprise Development, Enforcement Policy, Noise Action Plan, Parking Policy, Speed Bye-laws, Cycling Strategy, Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, Capital Infrastructure Development, Transportation Planning, Public Transport Issues, Cork Road Safety Plan, Walking Strategy, Housing Strategies: Homelessness, Strategic Housing Developments, New Scheme Policy Adoption e.g. Affordability Housing, Allocation Schemes, Estate Management Policy, Anti-Social Behaviour Policy, Traveller Accommodation Plan

Climate Action and Environment & Natural Heritage

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Themes and Areas Covered by this Linkage Group and its related SPCs:

Flood Relief Policy, Flood Defence Strategy, Environmental Impact Studies, Waste Management Plans, Burial Grounds and Cemeteries Policy, Recycling Strategies, Sustainable Development Policy, Street Cleaning Policy, Litter Control Policy, Drainage and Waste Water Treatment Plans, Parks & Open Spaces Policy, Agricultural Policy, Climate Chang

Diversity, Disability and Inclusion

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Themes and Areas Covered by this Linkage Group and its related SPCs:

Social inclusion and Equality, community development, citizen & community engagement, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), Local Economic & Community

Development Plan (LECP) (Incorporating the 17 SDGs and Climate Action, Learning Cities, Health Cities, Rainbow Cities Networking). Community Enhancement Programme Funding, Healthy Ireland Funding, and community-based services.

Arts, Community, Cultural Heritage and Sport Linkage Group (including International Relations and Tourism)

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Themes and Areas Covered by this Linkage Group and its related committees:

Arts Policy, Arts Grants, Community Grants, Sports Grants, Creative Ireland Plan, Library Service Policy, Fire Service Policies and Strategies and Public Safety, Safety of Structures and Places, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, Arts and Culture Development, Sports Facility Policy, Event Management Policy, Street Trading and Markets Policy, Development Contributions Scheme, UNESCO Learning Cities, Events - Glow Reports from Visits, Twinning requests, Events, Christmas Celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day, Fleadh Cheol, SeaFest, EU Funding Programmes, Tourism Development, Marketing and City Promotion

Community Safety

rwccppn — 2026-01-06 15:52:00 UTC

Themes and Areas Covered by this Linkage Group and its related committees:

Consultations, discussions and recommendations on policing and crime issues within Cork City administrative area, Review levels and patterns of crime and related underlying factors, Establish and coordinate Local Policing Fora.

Linkage Group Facilitator Briefing Document

rwccppn — 2026-01-21 11:07:03 UTC

swccppn — 2026-01-22 10:15:52 UTC

Contact Marta via info@corkcityppn.ie or 085 1382 718 if you are considering and want to have a chat about this.

Housing, Planning and Transport LG

swccppn — 2026-01-22 10:17:30 UTC

Climate Action and Environment & Natural Heritage LG

swccppn — 2026-01-22 10:17:54 UTC

Community Safety LG

swccppn — 2026-01-22 10:18:22 UTC

Diversity, Disability and Inclusion LG

swccppn — 2026-01-22 10:19:15 UTC

Arts, Community, Heritage and Sport (including International Relations and Tourism) LG

swccppn — 2026-01-22 10:19:37 UTC

CCPPN Code of Conduct

swccppn — 2026-01-22 10:20:51 UTC

Representatives Charter

swccppn — 2026-01-22 10:21:46 UTC

Which Committees are linked to each Linkage Group?

swccppn — 2026-01-22 12:22:19 UTC

January 2026 note below with update on content in Linkage Group Policy for the purpose of supporting Linkage Group facilitators. Policy will need to be reviewed/updated and ratified by Plenary at a later date.

Arts, Community, Cultural Heritage and Sport Linkage Group (including International Relations and Tourism)

- Community, Culture and Placemaking Strategic Policy Committee (SPC)

- International Relations & Tourism SPC

- Heritage Forum

Climate Action and Environment & Natural Heritage Linkage Group

- Environment, Water & Amenity SPC

Community Safety Linkage Group

- Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP)

Diversity, Disability and Inclusion Linkage Group

- Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)

- Revitalising Areas through Planning Investment and Development (RAPID) Area Committees

- Cork Local Drugs & Alcohol Task Force (CLADTF)

Housing, Planning and Transport Linkage Group

- Transport & Mobility SPC

- Housing SPC

- Strategic, Economic Development, Enterprise & Planning SPC

FAQs for Linkage Group Facilitators

swccppn — 2026-01-27 16:24:13 UTC

PPN Induction

rwccppn — 2026-08-12 10:54:08 UTC

Anyone who is interested in becoming a Linkage Group facilitator must also attend PPN Induction - you can register and find induction dates here: https://form.jotform.com/corkcityppn/ccppn-induction-registration-form