Galway City Council today announced the appointment of three new Urban and Community Development Officers to give targeted support to community and voluntary groups in the City. These pioneering roles will support the growth and empowerment of local communities, working closely with residents, community groups and other stakeholders to implement community development initiatives and enhance community cohesion.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard welcomed the appointments, saying, “I’m delighted to see the appointment of three new Urban and Community Development Officers to support the grassroots organisations in our city – the volunteers and community groups that are the lifeblood of our communities. Galway City has a vibrant and active community sector, from residents’ associations, and sporting organisations to environmental groups and community gardens. This dedicated resource will be a fantastic link between the community groups and the local authority, and will assist groups to develop and thrive with the local authority support”.
Each local electoral area (LEA) in the city (West, Central, East) will have a dedicated Urban and Community Development Officer, with the Officers also having thematic and programme responsibilities on a city wide basis including working closely with groups and organisations supporting older adults, ethnic minority groups, young people, people with disabilities and LGBT+ communities.
Chief Executive, Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary said, “In recognition of the major part played by volunteers in the development of our city, this new resource was agreed between Elected Members and the Executive as part of our strategic priorities. The roles are funded by the LPT (Local Property Tax) as a reinvestment in supporting the people assets of local communities. I look forward to seeing the community sector continue to thrive and develop with this support, and welcome the strengthened relationships and on-going dialogue and engagement that these new roles will facilitate.”
Director of Services, Derek Pender, commented, “Galway City Council has the primary responsibility for leading economic, social and community development in the city, as part of the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). These new roles will support the delivery of the LECP, and other initiatives, by building and maintaining strong relationships between Galway City Council and community members, local groups and stakeholders. This community development role is set in the context of the growth and development of our city as a modern urban place and community.”
Senior Executive Officer and Head of Function, Community Development, Dermot Mahon described the roles of the new Urban and Community Development Officers, saying, “Each local electoral area will have a dedicated officer working closely with communities in their area, to access funding and support from the local authority. The team will focus on community engagement; programme development and implementation; capacity building of community groups; advocacy and empowerment for the community and voluntary sector; resource mobilisation for community organisations; and reporting and documenting the impact of the work of community groups in our city. We look forward to working more closely with community and voluntary organisations, to develop the role and ensure that resources are targeted where they are most needed.”
The three new Urban and Community Development Officers (UCDO) are:
- East LEA: Oliver Lydon
- Central LEA: Natalie Coen
- West LEA: Deirdre Keaney Cunningham
The team will form part of the Community Development Department, and will support cross-directorate engagement with community groups.
The UCDOs will be out on the ground in their communities over the coming weeks, getting to know their communities. They will also attend their Local Area Committee meeting in September, to formally introduce themselves to Elected Members and provide a presentation on the new role. The UCDOs will also present to the Galway City Local and Community Development Committee in September 2025.
For more information and contact details on the UCDOs see Galway City Council’s website – www.GalwayCity.ie