People, Power and Policy: Reevaluating the Role of Civil Society in Irish Democracy

You are invited to an ICCL conference: People, Power and Policy: Reevaluating the Role of Civil Society in Irish Democracy  

When: Thursday, 27 November, 9am – 4.30pm  

Where: F2 Centre, 3 Reuben Plaza, Rialto, Dublin 8  

Join us for a series of panel discussions and keynote contributions on the current civil society landscape in Ireland and abroad, including the threats and barriers to full participation, the role the sector plays in upholding democracy, and what the future looks like for the Irish community, voluntary and non-profit sector. 

A key-note address will be provided by Michael McGrath, Irish Commissioner responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection in the European Commission

Speakers and panelists also include: 

• Akiko Hart, Liberty 
• Edel McGinley, Hope & Courage Collective 
• Liam Herrick, IHREC 
• Madeleine Delaney, Charities Regulator 
• Oonagh Breen, UCD Sutherland School of Law 
• Rachel Doyle, Community Work Ireland 
• Shana Cohen, TASC 
• Sophia Hoffinger, European Legal Support Centre  

With more to be announced. Download the full conference agenda here.

By bringing together colleagues from the community and voluntary sector, as well as regulators, politicians and policymakers, we hope to foster an open dialogue and enhance understanding of the Irish civil society and democratic environment, and particularly the systemic issues facing the sector and how these fit into broader international trends. 

Panelists will explore the role that civil society plays in Irish democracy and how it can be better communicated and protected, the regulatory issues facing civic space in Ireland and solutions to overcoming them, and the importance of strengthening the relationship between the State and the community, voluntary and non-profit sector, while also recognising and supporting the sector’s independence. 

Background  

In 2024, ICCL published a report on the advocacy and stakeholder engagement landscape for community, voluntary and non-profit organisations in Ireland. Based on a survey of 248 organisations, the report identified worrying trends such as self-censorship. There was a strong belief among participants that the State uses funding restrictions as a lever to silence dissenting voices 

The report also found that almost three-quarters of participants reported missing a consultation or stakeholder engagement because they found out about it too late, while nearly half of participants told us that the efforts put into submissions and consultations are not worth the effort.  

The relationship between the non-profit, community and voluntary sector and the State is one which is fundamental to the maintenance and strengthening of Irish democracy. Too often, the sector’s role is underappreciated or contested. 

Ireland and Europe are facing a rapidly shifting social and political landscape. Liberal democracy is in decline, and autocrats are deploying a familiar playbook: media censorship, election manipulation, civil society suppression and erosion of the rule of law.  

The Irish government and state bodies have a duty to respond to these challenges. As a global champion of civil society and as a hub for Big Tech, Ireland has an outsized role  to play in protecting democratic norms both online and offline, in addition to playing a critical role in shaping policy in Brussels (e.g. upcoming EU Presidency in 2026, the forthcoming Civil Society Strategy and the Democracy Shield.)

Earlier this year, ICCL held an event on the resilience of Irish democracy against this backdrop of rising global authoritarianism. Speakers explored challenges and emerging vulnerabilities for Ireland — which highlighted the need for further coordination between representatives of the community, non-profit and voluntary sector, regulatory bodies, politicians, academics and domestic and international experts. This event represents the furtherance of this conversation.  

Now more than ever, we must affirm the indispensable role of the community and voluntary sector in safeguarding democratic values, promoting social cohesion and contributing expertise to policy formation and debates. 

Download the full conference agenda here.