Training Links Programme

Lead Organisation: Safe Ireland National Social Change Agency CLG

Network Members:

1. Safe Ireland National Social Change Agency CLG
2. ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services
3. Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services
4. Bray Women’s Refuge Housing Association CLG
5. Adapt Kerry Women’s Refuge & Support Service
6. AMBER Women’s Refuge
7. Domestic Violence Response
8. Esker House Women’s Refuge
9. Donegal Domestic Violence Services
10. Wexford Women’s Refuge
11. COPE Galway
12. West Cork Beacon
13. Teach Tearmainn Housing Association
14. Cuan Saor Women’s Refuge & Support Services
15. DVAS
16. Saoirse Domestic Violence Services
17. Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service
18. Carlow Women’s Aid
19. Cuanlee Refuge
20. Longford Women’s Link
21. Aoibhneas Domestic Violence Support for Women & Children
22. Laois Domestic Abuse Service
23. Women’s Aid Dundalk
24. Sonas Domestic Violence Charity
25. Drogheda Women & Children’s Refuge
26. Oasis House Women’s Refuge
27. Inchicore DV Outreach Centre
28. Mna Feasa (Cork Antipoverty Resource Network)
29. Donegal Women’s Centre
30. Ascend Domestic Abuse Services
31. Clare Haven Services (Refuge)
32. Good Shepherd Cork (Support Service)
33. Lifeline Inishowen (Support Service)
34. OSS Cork (Support Service)
35. Roscommon Safe Link (Support Service)
36. SAVE (Support Service)
37. YANA, North Cork DV Project (Support Service).

Impact Summary

Safe Ireland’s Safe & Together Network aims to address key skills gaps among domestic violence service providers by enhancing their understanding and application of the Safe & Together Model. Training on the model will focus on trauma-informed engagement and fostering effective interdisciplinary collaboration and communication among professionals responding to families living with domestic violence & coercive control. The aim is to improve survivors' safety and well-being by ensuring perpetrators are held accountable while keeping children safe and together with their non-offending parent. The training program will establish a cascade training model, creating a network of local experts who will deliver ongoing training on the model within their communities. This initiative will drive long-term cultural change by embedding the model into professional practice across sectors.

Lead Organisation: Solas Cancer Support Centre

Network Members:

1. Kilkenny Cancer Support Centre (Cois Noir)
2. Mayo Cancer Support Association Ltd
3. CARE Cancer Support Centre
4. Dochas Offaly Cancer Support Group
5. Cuisle Cancer Support Centre
6. Cork Arc
7. Kerry Cancer Support Trust CLG T/A Kerry Cancer Support Group
8. Recovery Haven Kerry Cancer Support House
9. Hope Cancer Support Centre
10. Gort Cancer Support Group CLG
11. Tuam Cancer Support Centre
12. Sligo Cancer Support Centre
13. Éist Cancer Support Centre Carlow CLG
14. Childhood Cancer Foundation T/A Childhood Cancer Ireland
15. Circle of Friends Cancer Support Centre CLG
16. Hand in Hand
17. North Tipperary Hospice Movement
18. Canteen
19. Mayo Cancer Support Association
20. Purple House Bray, Co. Wicklow
21. Solas Cancer Support Centre Waterford.

Impact Summary

The Network of Community Cancer Support Centres and Services Training Links Programme will predominantly support the training needs of our centre managers. Managers in this sector have a diverse range of skills and come from many backgrounds and skills gaps have been identified by members. Training will also support our professional counsellors and facilitators, our volunteers and our trustees. While online sessions are time-effective and make attendance possible, the Network members would also like face-to-face sessions, and we will offer a blended approach with the training calendar.

Lead Organisation: Employment Development Information Centre

Network Members:

1. Employment Development Information Centre
2. Longford Renewable Energy SEC
3. Mullingar SEC
4. Drumlish Tidy Towns
5. Ballyleague Tidy Towns & Village Renewal
6. Ballyleague SEC
7. Lough Ree Access for All
8. Roscommon Transition Towns SEC
9. Durrow Tidy Towns & SEC
10. Geashill Tidy Towns.

Impact Summary

The Midlands Sustainability & Biodiversity Network is a grouping of community organisations with a common interest in Sustainability and Biodiversity. Led by the EDI Centre in Longford, the Network includes Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC’s) and Tidy Towns groups in Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, and Westmeath. Our main objective is to develop capacity and create synergies among the extensive network of Tidy Towns groups and SEC’s, initially through a series of workshops. Expected impacts include: Increased capacity of Tidy Towns groups and SEC’s to deliver Sustainability/Biodiversity projects; higher marks for these categories in Tidy Towns’ adjudications; increased numbers of SEC’s; and ongoing knowledge sharing.

Lead Organisation: ENCLUDE

Network Members:

1. ENCLUDE
2. Amber Women's Refuge 
3. Teach Tearmainn Housing Association Company Limited
4. Meath Women's Aid Housing Association
5. West Cork Women Against Violence Ltd
6. Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service
7. Esker House Women's Refuge
8. ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services Limerick
9. Bray Women’s Refuge Housing Association
10. Saoirse Domestic Violence Services
11. Oasis House Women’s Refuge
12. Women’s Aid
13. Aoibhneas Women and Children's Refuge
14. Women’s Aid Dundalk.

Impact Summary

The eSAFE Training Network aims to enhance the effective use of eSAFE, customised information management system used by 27 DV services in Ireland. Through a blended training approach - including online webinars and in-person sessions – it will build staff capacity to generate reports, monitor data quality, foster collaboration and optimise service delivery. Tailored sessions will be offered to frontline staff, system administrators and service managers. The intended impact is a more efficient, data-driven domestic violence support network, enabling better decision-making and ultimately improving outcomes for women and children supported by DV services in Ireland.

Lead Organisation: Irish Ocean Literacy Network 

Network Members:

1. Irish Ocean Literacy Network 
2. Fanad Coastal Group 
3. Leave No Trace Ireland 
4. Corrib Beo 
5. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group 
6. The Environmental Forum 
7. Fenit Coast Conservation 
8. Cuan Beo Environmental CLG 
9. The National Youth Council of Ireland 
10. Cumann Na Daoine 
11. Fondúireacht an Bhlascaoid Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta.

Impact Summary

The Irish Ocean Literacy Network aims to improve the capacity building and collaboration of the IOLN Members ‘Ocean Citizens’ community to achieve a common vision – an ocean literate society across the island of Ireland. Supporting Ocean Literacy is a key pillar of improving green and blue environmental health, and supports climate resilient communities. Identified through a Training and Capacity Building Needs Analysis, a series of expert-led seminars and peer-to-peer best practice sessions on campaigns and advocacy, finance and funding, developing practical skills and evaluating and building impact are designed to strengthen and enhance skills in the community and voluntary sector. 

Lead Organisation: Irish Hospice Foundation

Network Members:

1. Irish Hospice Foundation
2. A Little Lifetime Foundation
3. Anam Cara Parental and Sibling Bereavement Support CLG
4. Barnardos Children’s Bereavement Support Service
5. Bethany Bereavement Support Group
6. Cancer Care West (Galway Cancer Support Centre)
7. Children’s Grief Centre
8. Embrace FARM
9. Hope Cancer Support Centre CLG
10. HUGG – Healing Untold Grief Groups CLG
11. Irish Childhood Bereavement network
12. Kilkenny Bereavement Support
13. Rainbows Ireland
14. St Francis Hospice Dublin (Hospice representative]
15. Turas Le Cheile Bereavement Support Services.

Impact Summary

Our first Training Links project (2022-24) addressed the need for a National Core Competence Framework for Level 2 Bereavement Support Providers. In collaboration with a Bereavement Training Network, we developed an evidence-based, standardized set of core skills and knowledge for the Level 2 service providers). These core competencies represent the essential skills that all providers at this level should possess. Following the development of the Competency Framework, we developed an eLearning Programme designed to provide learners with an initial pathway to meeting these competencies. 

The eLearning course was officially launched in February 2025. During this process, we identified that some Level 2 service providers required additional competencies beyond the core set. To address this, our project will develop two standardised, evidence-based and high-quality training courses for staff and volunteers who operate at Level 2 of the Adult Bereavement Care Pyramid and (1) work with bereaved children and/or (2) support bereaved adults in a group setting.  By creating accessible bereavement training resources, this project aims to equip service providers with the necessary skills to meet the evolving standards of bereavement care. Ultimately, this will enhance the quality and consistency of bereavement support across Ireland.

Lead Organisation: Waterford Volunteer Centre

Network Members:

1. Wexford Volunteer Centre
2. Waterford New Communities Network
3. BRILL FRC
4. Tinteán Housing Association CLG
5. Waterford Disability Network
6. The Shona Project
7. Responders on Call CLG “Kilmore Area CFR”
8. Mary's Meals
9. Treo Port Lairge CLG
10. 50 Shades of Exceptional Social Club
11. CUMAS New Ross
12. Cottage Autism Network Wexford CLG
13. Enniscorthy Community Alliance
14. Taghmon Action Group
15. Waterford Volunteer Centre.

Impact Summary

Volunteer Centres in Waterford and Wexford work with many small organisations who struggle to replace retiring board and committee members, leading to a loss of organisational memory and a widening skills gap. Development in the sector is being held back by a perception that leadership of organisations is too onerous a role, and many people who might otherwise have gotten involved have chosen not to. This training network will focus on equipping existing and prospective board members in the Southeast with the skills needed to address these gaps. By increasing knowledge and improving competence and confidence, it will support the long-term sustainability and resilience of volunteer-led organisations.

Lead Organisation: Local Link Limerick Clare

Network Members:

1. TFI Local Link Waterford
2. Longford Westmeath Community Transport CLG
3. Cavan Monaghan Transport Coordination Unit CLG
4. Kerry Community Transport CLG
5. County Limerick and North Cork Transport Group CLG
6. Seribhís Iompair Tuaithe CTR
7. Bantry Rural Transport Partnership CLG
8. Carlow, Kilkenny & South Tipperary Rural Transport CLG
9. Wexford Local Link CLG
10. Bealach na Gaillimhe CTR
11. Laois Transport for Rural Integration CLG
12. Meath Accessible Transport Project CLG
13. Mayo Community Transport CLG
14. Tipperary Transport Coordination Unit CLG
15. Kildare Local Transport Link CLG.

Impact Summary

The Local Link Network training project aims to streamline and standardise skills development across the companies managing the Rural Transport Programme.  By sourcing off-the-shelf and customised training collaboratively, it ensures consistency in learning outcomes, fosters team building, and enhances knowledge exchange. The project addresses new contractual demands, regulatory requirements, and industry growth by providing targeted training for both new and existing staff, as well as board members. Identified through audits, stakeholder regulations, member feedback, and network discussions, this initiative supports operational efficiency and governance compliance, ensuring all members are equipped with the skills needed for evolving sector demands.

Lead Organisation: Cork Nature Network

Network Members:

1. Cork Nature Network
2. StreamScapes
3. Oxfam Ireland
4. Green Skibbereen CLG
5. The Environmental Forum
6. The North Kerry Environmental Forum
7. Native Woodland Trust
8. Hedgerows Ireland
9. The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland
10. Irish Peatland Conservation Council
11. An Bhri Nua
12. Irish Association of Youth Orchestras
13. De La Salle Brothers (Education)
14. ECO-UNESCO.

Impact Summary

‘Encouraging and Sustaining Green Networks’ aims to enhance skills for our charity and NGO partners in digital transformation, environmental advocacy and green transition, and business sector priorities. By tailoring training to evolving sector needs, our programme will equip partners with expertise to drive long-term impact and sustainability with outcomes including improved digital confidence and leadership, and project management skills. It aims to address key skills essential for organisational resilience and environmental sector growth.

Lead Organisation: Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation

Network Members:

1. Glencree 
2. Afri 
3. New Horizons 
4. Hands4Unity 
5. Irish Rule of Law International 
6. GORM 
7. Sport Against Racism Ireland 
8. Louth Local Development Company
9. Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services Clg 
10. Akina Dada wa Africa (AkiDwA) Limited.

Impact Summary

Over the past two decades, Ireland has become an increasingly diverse community, with people of many different ethnicities, cultures, languages and religions. With the rising numbers of refugees fleeing conflict and seeking asylum in Ireland and across Europe, we’ve seen the rise in far-right and anti-immigrant sentiment. Through the Women’s Mediation Network, women from the Women’s Peacebuilding Network will be upskilled in using mediation and conflict resolution skills to navigate community tensions, facilitate difficult conversations and to support and progress community initiatives that promote inclusion, diversity and community cohesion. By connecting experienced and certified mediators and trainers in with in the Network, Glencree will establish mediation practice sessions and peer supported action learning groups where women can be supported in responding to emerging challenges and conflict in communities.

Lead Organisation: Rehab Group

Network Members:

1. Rehab Group
2. Enable Ireland
3. Saint John of God
4. Sunbeam House Services
5. ABI Ireland
6. Brothers of Charity
7. Vision Ireland
8. MS Ireland
9. Parkinson Ireland
10. St. Michael’s House
11. Muiriosa Foundation
12. Independent Living Movement Ireland.

Impact Summary 

The Digital and Assistive Technology (DAT) Training Network aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of people with disabilities and frontline staff in using assistive technology (AT). The network will develop and deliver customized training modules, quick reference guides, and accredited programs. By hosting these resources on the "AT and Me" platform, it ensures scalability and sustainability. The initiative seeks to improve service delivery, boost confidence in AT use, and create a knowledgeable workforce capable of advocating for and effectively utilizing AT, fostering collaboration, promoting lifelong learning, and addressing key skill gaps in AT across various sectors.

Lead Organisation: Irish Rural Link

Network Members:

1. Truagh Spirit Community Food Service
2. Brickens MoW
3. Millennium Family Resource Centre
4. Knocknagoshel MoW
5. Tipperary Community Council MoW
6. Kenmare Community Care
7. SWEETS Kilbeggan
8. Senior Citizens Concern
9. Knockmore Rathduff Recreation & Resource Centre
10. Ballyroan Community & Youth Centre
11. Sona Sasta Meals on Wheels
12. Ballyheigue Community Centre
13. St John’s Caring Centre
14. Tullow Day Care Centre
15. St Fiaccs House MoW
16. Lady Lane House
17. Castlebar VSS MoW
18. Tearmann Eanna
19. Ballycommon TTC MoW
20. Baldoyle Family Resource Service
21. Ranelagh Community Response MoW
22. Shankill Day Care Centre
23. Croom Family Resource Centre
24. COPE Galway
25. Irish Rural Link
26. Ballyfermott Resource Centre
27. Banada Tourlestrane Housing Assoc MoW
28. St Coleman’s Community Centre
29. Trustus We Care
30. St Catherine’s Community Services MoW
31. Westgate Foundation
32. Kilmovee Housing MoW
33. Kilmainham Wood Area Development Association
34. Fermoy Community Centre
35. Caherdaniel Community Care
36. Ballyduff Family & Community Support Forum
37. Our Lady of Lourdes Community Services Group
38. Gleann Fhinne Teoranta
39. Drogheda Homeless Aid MoW
40. Carnew Community Care
41. Easkey Meals on Wheels
42. Beara West Family Resource Centre
43. Sligo Social Services
44. CLASP
45. Millstreet Day Centre
46. Cashel & District Social Services Ltd
47. St Gabriels Meals on Wheels.

Impact Summary

The Meals on Wheels sector is struggling to cope with rapidly growing demographic led demand and the need to expand service into rural areas. This requires significant capacity development across the sector. External training resources will be required.  However, the National Meals on Wheels Network membership holds a vast range of experience and knowledge which can also help address these challenges. The main goal of the National Meals on Wheels Learning Network is therefore to provide effective structures to enable members to share their knowledge, learn from each other, and collaborate to overcome financial, geographic, and organisational challenges.

Lead Organisation: Community Resources Network Ireland

Network Members:

1. CRNI 
2. Charity Retail Ireland 
3. Carrickmacross Toy Library 
4. Tait House 
5. Frontline (part of Inchicore Community Drug Team Limited) 
6. Rediscovery Centre 
7. Cloth Nappy Library Ireland 
8. Roscommon Women's Network 
9. Revamp Longford (part of Employment Development and Information Centre (Longford0 Limited) 
10. Enable Ireland Disability Services.

Impact Summary

Community Resources Network Ireland (CRNI) is the representative body for community based reuse, repair and recycling organisations in Ireland. Our members make an important contribution to Ireland’s Circular Economy efforts, and our Training Network will boost their position. Called ‘Building Capacity through Impact for community-based circular activities’, the bespoke programme of training aims to improve participants’ ability to measure and communicate the social impact of their organisations. Participants will gain a set of tools and knowledge relating to this discipline, boosting their organisations’ ability to effectively navigate sectoral challenges and capitalise on opportunities in this rapidly developing sector.

Lead Organisation: Family Resource Centre National Forum

Network Members:

1. Family Resource Centre National Forum
2. Southend Family Resource Centre Maudlintown
3. Tullamore Family Resource Centre
4. Ballyboden Family Resource Centre
5. Focus Family Resource Centre Killashandra
6. West Clare Family Resource Centre – Kilrush
7. Dunmanway Family Resource Centre
8. St. Brigids Pre-School & Family Centre, Tralee
9. Ballinrobe Family Resource Centre
10. Cara House Family Resource Centre, Letterkenny.

Impact Summary

The FRCNF will be the lead organisation in partnership with 121 FRC in Ireland to develop the National Capacity Building, Mentoring and Coaching network. Our Training network aims to improve Family Resource Centre member’s access to relevant training needs to improve the quality of governance, policy and best practice programme implementation in Family Resource Centres nationwide. Included in our project is to also meet the training needs of the Voluntary Board of Management members to ensure that they have all the skills and knowledge they need to fulfil their roles.

Lead Organisation: Inishowen Development Partnership Ltd

Network Members:

1. Inishowen Development Partnership
2. Colgan Hall
3. Sliabh Sneacht Centre
4. Muff Community Forum
5. Fort Dunree
6. St Bridget’s Clonmany Youth & Community Centre
7. Malin Head Community Association Ltd
8. Greencastle Community Centre
9. Artlink
10. Explore Inishowen Company Limited.

Impact Summary

IDP in collaboration with Inishowen Social Enterprise Network (ISEN) will provide a peer learning framework for Social Enterprises across Inishowen supporting and developing organisational sustainability. Core focuses identified are succession planning, leadership, management, digital development and efficiencies in the workplace. Alongside this, reaching out and collaborating with others from the Not for Profit and Commercial Sectors, to build alliances that will drive forward actions on corporate and social responsibilities and a just transition, aiming to ensure long-term impact. This will be strengthened through ongoing partnerships, peer learning networks and events, and potential policy recommendations, solidifying the project's legacy and continued relevance.

Lead Organisation: Culture Connect CLG

Network Members:

1. Culture Connect CLG
2. African Advocacy Network, Dublin
3. Linking Ireland’s New Communities
4. Drogheda Filipino Community
5. Ezinwanne Association
6. Sudanese Community
7. Dundalk Muslem Community
8. Romanian Community
9. Udug Association of Ireland
10. Sisters Next Door
11. Waterford New Communities Network.

Impact Summary

The training programme is designed to train up to 50 participants over 12 months, split across three terms: June–September 2025, January–April 2026, and June–September 2026. It consists of five modules, blended delivery via interactive workshops that incorporate case studies, role-playing, and peer discussions to ensure the practical application of knowledge.

Lead Organisation: Rape Crisis Ireland

Network Members:

1. Rape Crisis Ireland
2. WRSAC 
3. Donegal Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre 
4. Mayo Rape Crisis Centre 
5. Midwest RCC 
6. Carlow & South Leinster RCC 
7. KRSAC 
8. Safe Ireland 
9. West Cork Beacon (formerly West Cork Women Against Violence CLG) 
10. Dignity 4 Patients.

Impact Summary

Sexual violence counselling is a specialist branch of counselling. Rape Crisis Ireland Training Network will be making available specialist sexual violence psychotherapy training over 2025 and 2026 with this funding. This is an additional qualification for counselling qualifications recognized by the range of professional bodies. RCI have recently reviewed, updated and evaluated the course content. This review was informed by specialist NGO’s and extensive feedback from survivors and counsellors. This is critical to maintain workforce specialist skills for the sexual violence sector.