2024
Ireland
The EirGrid Community Forums foster early and meaningful community involvement in grid infrastructure projects across Ireland. Independently facilitated and democratically elected, the Forums ensure inclusive representation, transparent dialogue, and shared decision-making from project inception to implementation. This engagement strategy promotes social acceptance, resulting in successful project delivery and long-term community benefits.
Highlights
01
The Community Forums include diverse members, ensuring balanced discussions and reflecting a wide range of community interests.
02
Neutral facilitation allows for open dialogue, enabling communities to voice concerns and shape project outcomes.
03
The Forums play a key role in developing Community Benefit Schemes, directly involving communities in deciding how funds are allocated.
Main Information
The EirGrid Community Forums were established to enhance community engagement and social acceptance of grid infrastructure projects. Launched as part of EirGrid’s Public Engagement Strategy, the Forums provide a platform for early and consistent dialogue between EirGrid and local communities, promoting transparency and building trust. Each Forum is democratically elected, independently facilitated, and geographically representative, ensuring balanced and diverse perspectives are included from the earliest stages of project development.
The Forums meet quarterly and are involved in multiple phases of project delivery. From the initial consultation, where project scope and routes are discussed, to post-consent stages, the Forums provide critical local insights and guide the development of the Community Benefit Schemes. This collaborative approach ensures the schemes are tailored to the unique needs and priorities of each region.
A notable feature of the Forums is the role of independent facilitators, who maintain neutrality, foster balanced discussions, and create a safe space for members to express their views openly. EirGrid’s decision to hold meetings without their representatives further strengthens this environment of trust and transparency.
Through these Forums, EirGrid has achieved increased social acceptance and reduced opposition to grid projects. This has been evident in key projects such as the Kildare-Meath Grid Upgrade and the Celtic Interconnector, where community collaboration led to consensus on project design and successful planning submissions with minimal public opposition. By centring community voices in decision-making and promoting shared ownership of infrastructure development, the EirGrid Community Forums demonstrate a scalable, transferable model of public engagement.
other practices
