Donegal

Donegal County Council

  • Presentation of your region and organisation:

-Key-characteristic of your region in regard to population/migration patterns (if available and relevant).

County Donegal is a county of Ireland in the province of Ulster and in the Northern and Western Region. Donegal has a population as per the 2016 census of 159,192, with 5 Municipal Districts. Donegal has changed radically within one generation, the 2016 census indicated that 7.2% of the population of the county, or 11,477 people were born outside the state and this population continues to grow. This statistic really highlights the diverse nature of the current population of the county. 

– Brief description of your department.

The Social inclusion Unit of Donegal County Council is to raise awareness about social inclusion and poverty and how they impact on the lives of people in Donegal so that we will be better equipped to deliver more inclusive services. This role is currently being achieved through the involvement of Council in multi-agency structures and through projects.

  • Presentation of your ongoing work on integration: 

What has your regions accomplished in terms of in integration policies so far? 

(make reference to any policy, strategy, project, action meaningful for integration in your region). Have you adopted the Intercultural Approach already?

 

The Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion: A Strategy for County Donegal 2021 – 2026 was launched on the 25 March 2022 it is such an important milestone in the history of Donegal. This Strategy seeks an inclusion based on equality and human rights and reflects values shared across all stakeholders. Donegal is a developing intercultural county but with that comes a responsibility to ensure the inclusion of Black and minority ethnic communities, including Traveller and Roma communities in the county.

 

  • Your role and expectations for the EU-BELONG project:

-What does your region aim to do/learn/test with EU-BELONG and what do you think the benefits of this European project will be for your region and for Europe? (1 sentence is fine 😊)

Donegal hopes to implement actions from their Strategy to make their region a mover inclusive space to work, live and play. 

  • Contacts for your region 

Christina O’Donnell, Social Inclusion Unit, Donegal County Council

Charles Sweeney, Social Inclusion Unit, Donegal County Council

  • Any picture you want to share: