Option 1 Case study of a Participatory Process – Assessing Engagement and Impact
For this option the student is asked to write an essay that outlines the participation/engagement process of a case study that involves community participation that has led to important local outcomes. Students may base their case study on any of the cases covered in the module e.g. the Dolphin House Regeneration process, the Our Balbriggan Project, or the Kingfisher Project in Kimmage, or they can use a case with which they are familiar ( if you chose this last option please consult the module co-ordinator for approval1.

Students should describe the nature of the project that they have chosen and reflect on what they have learnt about the impacts of community engagement from the implementation of the project. Students should assess the project using one of the frameworks for community engagement outlined in guidance and literature – two potential frameworks are either the CLEAR framework outlined by Lowndes et al2 or the Department of Rural and Community Development’s guide 3 for inclusive community engagement. The case study should – describe the case in detail, describe the type of engagement that has occurred over the period of the project and an

1 Remember it is not appropriate to simply rework or paraphrase existing published material, so make sure that you use your own words to describe the engagement process and try to go to the original documents from Public Sector organisations and community groups to provide details of projects.
2 Lowndes, V., Pratchett, L., & Stoker, G. (2006). Diagnosing and Remedying the Failings of Official Participation Schemes: The CLEAR Framework. Social Policy and Society, 5(2), 281-291. doi:10.1017/S1474746405002988 Link
analysis of the engagement, therefore there should be information on each of the following:

(1) What is the case, i.e. is it the preparation of a plan, a regeneration project, a neighbourhood project?

(2) What is the focus of the project – regeneration, redevelopment/development of physical infrastructure/environmental/ public realm improvements/ housing other?

(3) Where and when did it take place or is it still ongoing?

(4) Who were/are the various stakeholders involved?

(5) How is capacity and social capital being built in the community?

(6) What methods of engagement were/are being used (briefly describe them), there may be different methods being used over time?

(7) Analyse the process using the CLEAR framework (see footnote on page 1) or the nine principles of community engagement outlined in the Department of Rural and Community Development’s guide for inclusive community engagement 3

Please note that the above headings are simply a guide and students can add to these in order to fully describe the engagement process and the outcomes.

Option 2 Case Study Community Development, Local Development and Local Governance in Ireland

For this option the student is asked to produce a case study of the structures and processes for engaging local communities in local governance in Ireland.

As part of a European wide report on the links between community development and local government you have been asked by a European colleague to provide a critical case study of the relationship between community development and local government in Ireland.

In particular your European colleague has asked for information on the Local Community Development Committees and the Public Participation Networks and the

3 Department of Rural and Community Development, Pobal, Community Work Ireland and Irish Local Development Network (2023) A Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making, Department of Rural and Community Development and Pobal. Link effectiveness of these in providing a voice for local communities in local policy development, including planning.

Using the example of a specific County (e.g. Dublin City, Meath, Donegal etc.) and drawing on published academic literature and government reports provide a critical overview of the relationship between community and local government in Ireland. In this report you should describe the roles allocated to these institutional structures, outline examples of initiatives that the LCDC and PPNs have undertaken in your chosen case study county and provide an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of this structures as outlined in published reports and literature.

Answers to Above Questions on Community Development

Answer 1: 

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