September 7 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
The Community Group Development Programme is a free SECAD-led initiative designed to give community groups and organisations the connections, skills and support needed to build up capacity and resilience.
Facilitated and delivered by industry experts, the programme consists of three elements:
- Peer networking
- Targeted training
- Expert mentoring and support
Our targeted training includes a series of free online workshops delivered over September – November 2026:
| Online training — Wednesday evenings (recorded for SECAD’s learning platform) |
| 1. Governance for your community group Roles and responsibilities of committees/boards, legal structures, required policies, financial controls, the Charities Governance Code and Charities Regulator compliance. |
| 2. Sources of Grants, Funding & Fundraising LEADER, SICAP, Community Foundation, Local Authority schemes, Dormant Accounts, lottery and social finance options for community projects, |
| 3. Writing Successful Application of Grant Funding What funders look for, budgets, common pitfalls, and practical fundraising for larger community projects |
| 4. Tools for greater efficiency in Community Groups Cash flow & financials, practical, easy-to-use tools to help volunteers and staff save time and work more efficiently. |
| 5. Community Group Health Check & Audit A practical self-assessment tool for new and existing groups across people, purpose, money and compliance, and producing a simple action plan. |
| 6. How to Find out What Your Community Needs? Community surveys and consultation and turning findings into a community plan. |
| 7. How to Establish Your Community & Voluntary Group Structures, first committee, constitution basics, opening a bank account, insurance. |
| 8. Strategic Planning for Community Groups Vision, priorities, simple action plans and keeping volunteers engaged in delivery. |
Come along to our launch evening in Midleton. Register below: