Challenge Bank

Do you have a challenge in your area that you think could be solved through Design Thinking?

Your training will be based on the Challenges that people across the region feel need fresh, innovative thinking. To do this, we’re asking everyone to submit the Challenges that they’d like to tackle collaboratively with others using Design Thinking. So go on, deposit your challenge in the bank and see if you and other communities could tackle this through Design Thinking.

Roll over a Challenge for more details. Click to access it.

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E Governance

Utilise digital technology to transform governance by increasing transparency, accountability and public participation

Digitalisation / Technology, Education / Training

National Cycling Centre - Coolaney

Coolaney Development Company’s objective is to become a focal point for Ireland’s cycling community and cycling tourists. As a result Coolaney is pursuing development of a National Cycling Centre in our village. This vision is similar to Strandhill Co. Sligo's one of developing a National Surf Centre and, like Strandhill’s surf amenity, Coolaney’s cycling amenity is both unique and world class. Coolaney is already an important location for cycling in the North West: We have fantastic cycling routes in the Ox Mountains and in 2018 these hosted the Irish National Cycling Championships. Our National Mountain Bike Centre is a fantastic resource for Mountain Bikers. Coolaney is located on EuroVelo 1, which is an 11,000 km signposted Atlantic Coast Cycling Route starting in Norway and finishing in Portugal. A Greenway may also pass through Coolaney at some point (Sligo Greenway). Combined we believe these to amount to an ideal National Cycling Centre location & resource.

Health and Wellbeing, Transport and Infrastructure, Tourism

Clear & prevent litter on our roadsides, parks and waterways.

Clear & prevent litter on our roadsides, parks ...

There is a big problem in Monaghan with litter along the roadsides in both the town and the more rural areas. The canals and along the greenways have become stagnant and filled with rubbish too and these are great features of our town that have been developed in recent years but have since declined a bit. We really need to work on maintaining the work that has already gone into the area! The greenway being extended will be wonderful too but I believe this is already in the plans.

Development Group, Natural Resources, Biodiversity, Youth Opportunities, Town Centres, Tourism

Insurance Costs for community groups and social enterprises

Insurance Costs for community groups and social...

There is a lack of competitive insurance provision for community groups and social enterprises. Small Community groups and charities could be forced to cease operations as a result. There may be an opportunity for a social enterprise to meet this need.

Social Enterprise, Development Group, Local Services, Tourism

Help Sustain Social Enterprises using alternative local energy like hydro or wind alternative

Help Sustain Social Enterprises using alternati...

Investigate Natural Resources available locally

Social Enterprise, Smart Villages, Development Group, Natural Resources, Climate Action, Space, Tourism

Local Climate Dialogue

Bringing climate action down to local (county or regional) level, empowering community and individual ownership of the problem.

Climate Action, Biodiversity, Health and Wellbeing, Circular Economy, Tourism

Health and well being

Encouraging self care, eating well and learning to look after our own mental health. Healthy body, healthy mind..

Health and Wellbeing

Improved accessibility for people with disabilities

Improved accessibility for people with disabili...

Improved accessibility for people with disabilities to towns, villages, transport, businesses, etc.

Business, Children and Families, Local Services, Space, Town Centres, Transport and Infrastructure

Irish Cultural Activities

Provide opportunities for all generations to participate in Irish cultural activities - language, song, dance, recitation, drama

Children and Families, COVID, Education / Training, Health and Wellbeing, Youth Opportunities

Inclusivity & Sustainability of a New Community Sports & Physical Activity Hub

Inclusivity & Sustainability of a New Community...

We wish to generate a myriad of activities that adequately meets the need of everyone in the community and beyond. In particular we want to address inactivity and social isolation, particularly among the older and younger generations, as well as those with additional needs. We want to explore how to motivate people to become more physically active in pursuance of health and wellbeing.

Health and Wellbeing

Create New Community Woodlands

The Covid 19 2km and 5km restrictions further highlighted the the need for woodland in and near our towns. People of all ages have a renewed appreciation of the importance of woodlands to our health and well-being. We have a great opportunity to bring more woodland into our towns, making them healthier, more attractive places to live, work and visit, while also helping to improve biodiversity.

Biodiversity, Business, Children and Families, Climate Action, COVID, Development Group, Education / Training, Health and Wellbeing, Local Services, Natural Resources, Space, Town Centres

Migrant Community Strategy

Plans of action for integration into the community. Long term goals in each county to achieve inclusion of migrants arriving and living in their county. Taking action leading to education of both Irish and migrants living together. Reducing discrimination of a minority group. It would be great to develop a Multicultural Centre as a means to provide services to incoming migrants and for events related to integration. A fabulous way for Irish and migrants to come together.

Children and Families, Development Group, Tourism, Health and Wellbeing, Local Services, Social Enterprise, Town Centres, Youth Opportunities

Exclusive Design thinking community

The challenge is to bring together government agencies, social groups,business and individuals within our communities of all levels of understanding in relation to design thinking in an exclusive environment to recognise the value each has to offer in the development of our communities. To share and learn from each other, together.

Business, Circular Economy, Development Group, Education / Training, Health and Wellbeing, Local Services, Natural Resources, Social Enterprise, Youth Opportunities

Positive mental health through life-enhancing activities

Positive mental health through life-enhancing a...

Havin' a Laugh's mission is to assist with the promotion of positive mental health through life-enhancing activities, connecting to people and Havin’ a Laugh. They believe that life-enhancing activities will be acknowledged as a legitimate and essential part of mental health recovery in the near future and that those who are ‘up for it and at it’ have a platform from which they can support those who do not yet have that drive. Their values include teamwork, respect, fun, creativity, pro-activity and being an inspiration to others

Development Group, Health and Wellbeing

Services for young adults with an intellectual disability

Services for young adults with an intellectual ...

Rosses Sheltered Workshop and North West Parents and Friends want to examine changes to their day services to allow for more social involvement and community engagement

Development Group, Youth Opportunities, Local Services, Health and Wellbeing, Children and Families, Tourism

Festivals - evolving to work in a new environment

Festival groups looking at the challenges brought by COVID restrictions, BREXIT, inflexibility of funding to meet these changes, new ways of delivery.

Social Enterprise, Business, Development Group, Brexit, COVID, Digitalisation / Technology

Men's Shed Development

Men's Sheds from around the county addressing challenges around governance, membership recruitment, sustainability and succession planning

Social Enterprise, Development Group, Local Services, Health and Wellbeing

Kilglass Village development

Kilglass Community Council generating ideas to repurpose vacant buildings in the community to address local needs and services

Social Enterprise, Business, Development Group, Digitalisation / Technology, Connectivity / Broadband, Space, Local Services, Children and Families