National Philanthropy Policy: Invitation to input on national "frameworks for public/private engagement on philanthropic initiatives"

The Department of Community, and Rural Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCG) is implementing the National Philanthropy Policy, which includes a commitment to develop frameworks for collaboration between Government, philanthropists, and beneficiary organisations. It is crucial that the views of the sector be included in this exercise.

The National Philanthropy Policy 2024-2028 was launched in December 2023. The purpose of this Policy is to deepen understanding and knowledge, create an enabling environment and accelerate engagement with philanthropy in Ireland for social good.

The policy commits to promote understanding and collaboration between philanthropy and  government. In particular, Action 17 commits to: “Agree frameworks for public/private  engagement on philanthropic initiatives”.

The Framework will put in place a mechanism for government, philanthropists, beneficiary  organisation and stakeholders of the sector to collaborate together on social issues of  mutual interest. The Framework will enable all parties to engage and agree on key areas  such as funding principles, decision-making, roles, responsibilities, learnings and  accountability. 

Research commissioned by the Department identified many of the elements that will form the design of an effective framework, so we are now looking to build on that work and codify these elements to create a Framework for practical application. 

The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) will be holding a suite of events, online and in-person, as follow:

• Online session – Information session and early engagement
  Tuesday 10 February (11am to 12pm.)
  
  This session will:
  • put the Framework design into context,
  • provide an overview of the research completed to date,
  • outline the programme, goals and expectations of the multi-stakeholder
  • workshops, and
  • include a Q&A for attendees. 
     
• In-person Multi-Stakeholder Workshops
  • Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25, Thursday 26 February
  • Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5 March
  • Morning sessions- attendance at only one workshop is required. 

These workshops will provide an opportunity to every actor of the sector to input into the Framework design to ensure shared insights are captured to directly inform the design of a practical and realistic framework. These sessions will:

• use exercises that explore decision-making, risk, pace and governance across 
  the sector,
• surface opportunities, tensions and practical needs raised by participants,
• gather examples of where cross-sector collaboration succeeds or struggles,
• and shape the risk-handling section of the Framework.

The in-person multi-stakeholder workshops will take place in Dublin, Cork and Athlone  (location TBC), to ensure appropriate representation from all stakeholders interested in participating in the process. The workshop will be highly engaging, dynamic and will encourage discussion and sharing of experience. 

This is a unique opportunity for representatives of Government, local Government,  philanthropists, community organisations and all stakeholders from the philanthropic sector to play an active part in designing the Framework. This approach will ensure that the final outputs are practical and usable across the diversity of collaborative scenarios anticipated under the Policy. 

You are invited to join the online information session on Tuesday, 10 February at 11 am via the 
link below:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/35126630962544?p=U0KOmJVuYqoU0X2TPt
Meeting ID: 351 266 309 625 44
Passcode: Jj9T6N5U

Details of the multi-stakeholder workshops and how to register your interest to participate will be provided during the online event.  If you have any queries, please contact philanthropy@drcdg.gov.ie.