Donegal Travellers Project, in partnership with Donegal County Council’s PEACEPLUS Partnership, has officially launched a new cross-community initiative under the theme Celebrating Cultural Diversity.
The ‘Diversity in Decision Making’ project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and is funded through Donegal County Council’s PEACEPLUS Local Co-Designed Action Plan.
Featured Photo: Seated from left are Hugh Friel, Chairperson, Senator Eileen Flynn, Cllr. Paul Canning, and Anna Scully. Back from left Garda Catherine Callaghan, Cllr. Donal Mandy Kelly, Kyle Quill, Francine Blaché-Breen, Speaker Interculturalism, Balume Dube, Participative Democracy, Cllr. Gerry McMonagle, James O’Donnell and Pauline Smyth, Peace Plus Partnership. Photo Clive Wasson
This countywide project forms part of Donegal’s €7.6m PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan, and aims to support inclusive leadership, cross-community engagement, and cultural understanding in Donegal. It seeks to build a more peaceful and cohesive society by enhancing the participation of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities – including Travellers and Roma – in local decision-making and public life. It is one of thirteen transformative programmes being delivered through the Council’s PEACEPLUS Action Plan, which is designed to facilitate connection, cooperation, and respect among diverse communities.
Speaking about the event, Siobhán McLaughlin, Project Manager with Donegal Travellers’ Project, said: “This project is about creating real, lasting change. It’s about ensuring that voices from all communities are not just heard but valued in the spaces where decisions are made. We’re so proud to work with Donegal’s communities to build leadership, promote equality, and support a future where everyone belongs.”
Donegal County Councillor Paul Canning, Chair of the Donegal PEACEPLUS Partnership, also welcomed the launch, saying: “The Diversity in Decision Making project is a cornerstone of our work under the Celebrating Cultural Diversity theme. It brings forward a practical, community-led approach to peacebuilding, inclusivity, and leadership development. We are proud to support this initiative through our PEACEPLUS Action Plan and look forward to seeing its positive impact across the county.”
The project was officially launched at the Radisson Hotel in Letterkenny on Thursday, 29th May 2025. The event began with a moving short drama performed by Margaret and Anda which set the stage for a day focused on empowerment and inclusion.
Community Development Worker with Donegal Travellers Project, Anna Scully, delivered an overview of the initiative, which will provide 265 participants with 15 hours of intercultural, anti-racism and diversity-aware training. Ten cross-community and cross-border events will take place throughout the project’s two-year lifespan, building bridges across cultural divides.
Donegal County Councillor Paul Canning, formally launched the project, speaking of the Council’s commitment to an inclusive Donegal and the importance of elevating voices that have been historically under-represented in decision-making forums.
A keynote address followed from Francine Blaché-Breen, a respected expert in community development with over 40 years’ experience in Ireland and the United States. Francine highlighted the crucial role of intercultural training in changing attitudes and promoting meaningful engagement across communities. She praised the importance of peace funding in enabling projects that challenge discrimination and build equality from the ground up.
Human rights advocate and community development practitioner Balume Dube then addressed the audience. Drawing on more than 25 years of international experience, Balume explored how diversity strengthens participative democracy. He encouraged local committees, PPNs and statutory bodies to engage with this training opportunity to foster representative and equitable local governance.
Senator Eileen Flynn, the first Traveller to be elected to the Seanad, concluded the panel. A lifelong campaigner for marginalised groups, Senator Flynn shared her personal journey and emphasised the vital importance of Traveller and BME inclusion in public decision-making. Her message was clear: diverse representation makes society stronger. The event concluded with Kyle Quill presenting an overview of Traveller Pride Week, a celebration that highlights the Traveller community’s unique contributions to Irish society while addressing the discrimination and prejudice they continue to face. The session was followed by a networking lunch.
The Diversity in Decision Making project is grounded in a vision of a more inclusive Donegal – one that recognises and celebrates cultural and religious diversity as a strength. By increasing skills, changing behaviours, and breaking down barriers to participation, the project aims to help build a county where everyone feels they belong.
For more information on the Donegal’s PEACEPLUS Local Action Plan, visit https://www.donegalcoco.ie/en/services/community/community-development/peaceplus
