Who can join the PPN
Membership of South Dublin County Public Participation Network (SDC PPN) is open to community groups and not-for-profit organisations that are active in South Dublin County and work for the benefit of their community.
Member organisations are expected to:
- Operate on a not-for-profit basis
- Be community-based and active in South Dublin County
- Be independent and not part of a statutory or political body
- Be open to participation and engagement
- Operate in a transparent and accountable way
- Align with the values of inclusion, equality and community participation
Groups may be volunteer-led, staff-led, or a mix of both. Having paid staff does not prevent membership, provided the organisation operates for community benefit. Groups of all sizes and at all stages of development are welcome.
Types of membership
South Dublin County PPN recognises two types of membership.
Full membership
Full Members meet the membership criteria and can take part fully in the work of the PPN. This includes:
- Participating in PPN activities and Linkage Groups
- Nominating and voting for community representatives
- Standing for election to the Secretariat
Associate membership
Associate Membership is available to newly formed or developing groups that do not yet meet all the criteria for full membership.
Associate Members can:
- Engage with the PPN
- Receive information, updates and supports
Associate Members cannot nominate or vote for representatives or stand for election to the Secretariat. This form of membership is intended to be supportive and to allow groups time to develop towards full membership.
Pillars within the PPN
As part of registration, groups are asked to register under one of three pillars. Pillars support balanced and representative participation across the network.
Registering under a pillar does not limit a group’s involvement in activities, consultations or Linkage Groups.
Community pillar
For groups focused on local community life, participation and wellbeing, including residents’ groups, community associations, sports, arts, youth and other place-based initiatives.
Social Inclusion pillar
For groups working to address inequality, poverty and social exclusion, and to improve access, participation and equality for communities and groups who experience disadvantages.
Environmental pillar
For groups whose primary purpose is environmental protection, environmental sustainability or climate action.
Additional criteria for the Environmental pillar
Groups seeking to register under the Environmental pillar must meet specific criteria and complete an Environmental Eligibility Form as part of the registration process.
To be eligible:
- Environmental protection, sustainability or climate action must be the group’s primary purpose
- Environmental work must be central to the group’s mission, not a secondary or one-off activity
- Single-issue protest groups and short-term project groups are not eligible for registration under the Environmental pillar.
As part of the process, groups complete an Environmental Eligibility Form, which is submitted to the Environmental Network of Ireland for approval. Membership under the Environmental pillar can only be confirmed once this approval is received.
Groups not eligible for membership
South Dublin County Public Participation Network is committed to inclusion, equality and respect for diversity. Membership is open to groups whose activities are lawful and consistent with these values.
The following are not eligible for membership of South Dublin County PPN:
- State or semi-state bodies
- Political parties
- Groups whose interests are already represented through other formal social partnership structures, such as trade unions, farming or business organisations
- Groups that promote discrimination, hatred or exclusion towards individuals or communities
- Groups that restrict participation on the basis of protected grounds such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or other grounds covered by equality legislation
- Groups whose activities are inconsistent with the PPN’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Faith-based or religiously affiliated groups may be eligible for membership where they meet the general membership criteria and operate in a non-discriminatory way for the benefit of the wider community.