Community Forum Overview

The County Wexford Community Forum provides a platform for community and voluntary groups to network, build linkages, and be involved in the delivering of issues relating to the economic, social and cultural development of the county. 

All Community & Voluntary Groups active in County Wexford are invited to join the Forum.  These are almost 600 member groups illustrating the diversity of the community sector in the County.  

Why the Need for a Countywide Community Forum?
The Irish public sector is large and complex, delivering many essential and varied services.  Wexford County Development Board (CDB) is the mechanism for local government, local development, the state agencies, and the social partners, to work out an agreed vision for the development of County Wexford.  

The Community Forum is one of the four social partner pillars in the County Development Board.  This ensures that the views of the community/voluntary sector are co-ordinated and channeled into the formulation of strategies which meet the needs of the community. 

Participation and Consultation
Consultation and participation are an effective way of giving the community and voluntary sector an input into policy and service development.  The County Development Board works with the Community Forum to facilitate input and participation.

Role of the Community Forum
The Community Forum plays a major role in voicing and inputting the views of the wider Community.  It is important that the forum is as inclusive as possible and that it has a broad-based representation that can reflect society at large and also that there is equality in representation.