The Local Development Companies Network (LDCN), the new name for the Irish Local Development Work, was launched at an event in Dublin. 

LDCN is the national representative body for local development companies in Ireland, and updated its visual identity and tagline to better reflect the important role that local development companies play in Irish society, a notable example being in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.

The new tagline for the network, “Collective Vision, Fairer Society”, represents the collective strength of local development companies in building a fairer society in Ireland through developing and providing on-the-ground services supporting rural development, social inclusion, enterprise and employment, climate change and integration, amongst others.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Carol Baumann, CEO of the LDCN, said: 

“Local development companies are critical to communities throughout Ireland – many of the services delivered in local communities to help older or marginalised communities are run by local development companies. These services tackle issues like food poverty, long-term unemployment, childcare, and many more issues that are prevalent throughout the country.

“In recent weeks alone, local development companies demonstrated their leadership by providing on-the-ground responses to crises, visiting and caring for the vulnerable and older people in isolated areas who were left without power or supplies following Storm Éowyn.

“They have been leading out on the integration of Ukrainian refugees into Irish society since the war in Ukraine broke out; and are central to building inclusive societies. Local development companies provide local solutions to local problems; however our new name and tagline reflect the collective power and strength of local development companies.

The LDCN was launched at an event in Buswells Hotel in Dublin where local development companies met with members of the new Dáil and Seanad. Commenting further, Dr Baumann said: “The local issues we are addressing are often caused by systemic issues that must be addressed at a national level. Through the Local Development Companies Network we are a strong representative voice for all local development companies and we are looking forward to working with the our new public representatives and policy makers to address these systemic issues to create a fairer society”