Are you involved in a community or voluntary group and looking for practical support to help your group grow, access funding and work more effectively?
SECAD’s Community Group Development Programme is now underway – and there is still time to join!
This free programme is designed to give community groups and organisations the practical skills, knowledge and support they need to strengthen their organisations and build capacity and resilience.
The programme combines:
- Practical online training
- Peer networking and shared learning
- Expert mentoring and support
Whether you are part of a well-established organisation or a new community group finding its feet, you can choose the training and support that is most useful to you.
Free Online Workshops
A series of free online workshops takes place on Wednesday evenings from September to November 2026, covering key topics to support the effective management, growth and development of community and voluntary groups:
| 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. | 15th Sept – Tuesday, Maighréad Kelly | Click here to watch the recording of the session |
| 2. Sources of Grants, Funding & Fundraising LEADER, SICAP, Community Foundation, Local Authority schemes, Dormant Accounts, lottery and social finance options for community projects, | 23rd Sept – Wednesday, Evelyn | Click here to watch the recording of the session |
| 3. Writing Successful Application of Grant Funding What funders look for, budgets, common pitfalls, and practical fundraising for larger community projects | 30th Sept – Wednesday, Evelyn | |
| 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. | 7th Oct – Wednesday, Evelyn | |
| 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. | 14th Oct – Wednesday, Evelyn | |
| 6. How to Find out What Your Community Needs? Community surveys and consultation and turning findings into a community plan. | 21st Oct – Wednesday, Agnes O’Shaughnessy | |
| 7. How to Establish Your Community & Voluntary Group Structures, first committee, constitution basics, opening a bank account, insurance. | 28th Oct – Wednesday, Evelyn | |
| 8. Strategic Planning for Community Groups Vision, priorities, simple action plans and keeping volunteers engaged in delivery. | 4th Nov – Wednesday, Evelyn |
Join All Workshops – or Just the Ones You Need
The programme is designed to be flexible.
You can attend all of the workshops or simply choose the ones that are most relevant to your group.
Different members of your group can also attend different sessions. For example, your treasurer might be interested in financial management and funding, while another committee member might attend governance or strategic planning.
All workshops are delivered online, making it easy to participate without the need to travel.
Over 60 Community Groups Already Engaged
The programme kicked off with launch and networking events in Midleton and Macroom, bringing together representatives from over 60 community groups.
If your group didn’t attend one of the launch events, you haven’t missed your chance to take part. Registration is still open, and new groups are very welcome to join the online programme.
It’s free, flexible and practical – so why not register and see what your group can gain from it?
Register your community group today and join the upcoming online workshops.
