Mayo Community Futures is marking 20th anniversary
The Community Futures Management Committee and administrators of the programme. Back row, from left: Norita Clesham, Gerard Mulherin, Justin Sammon, Vincent McHale, Cllr Adrian Forkan. Front row: Eileen O’Connor, John Cannon, Geraldine Leneghan, Mary Blowick and Marie Reilly-Davey.
Mayo Community Futures is a bottom-up, community-led planning programme coordinated by Mayo County Council that empowers local communities across County Mayo to shape their own long-term development. The programme supports towns, villages, and rural areas in creating five-year Community Action Plans that identify local priorities, key projects, and strategic aspirations, ensuring that every member of the community has an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the process.
Through a highly participative approach, each community establishes a Community Futures Steering Group, drawing together representatives from local clubs, organisations, and community stakeholders. With guidance from trained community support workers, the steering group leads an extensive community consultation - gathering household views, stakeholder input, business insights, and youth perspectives - to produce an action plan rooted firmly in shared local vision and needs.
The programme strengthens local capacity, supports civic participation, and results in a community-endorsed plan that informs strategic planning at local, county, and national levels. It also assists funding agencies by clearly demonstrating community-identified priorities, supporting efforts to secure investment and services that matter most to residents.
To date, more than 40 communities in Mayo have taken part in the programme, benefiting from enhanced collaboration, stronger local organisations, and renewed community ambition. Mayo Community Futures continues to invite new communities to participate, promoting inclusive local planning and ensuring that every area has a meaningful voice in its future. If you think this is something your village or area is interested in, Mayo Community Futures is now inviting new communities to submit an application. For further information or for an application form please contact by email gleneghan@communityfutures.ie or telephone 087-2585957.
2026 marks the 20-year anniversary of Community Futures in Mayo, with celebrations planned for October.
The Mayo Community Futures Management Committee provides programme-level oversight, strategic direction, and governance to ensure the Community Futures process is implemented effectively and consistently across all participating communities.
