Challenge Bank

Do you have a Challenge in your area that you think could be solved through Design Thinking? Take the next step in your Challenger journey by adding it to the bank!

Courses will be based on the Challenges that people like you, across the region, feel need fresh and innovative thinking. To do this, we’re asking everyone to submit the Challenges that they’d like to tackle collaboratively.

Like and comment on other people's Challenges to show support and increase its chance of being included in a Course. You can filter Challenges by county or category.

Roll over a Challenge for more details. Click to go to the Challenge and like it or leave a comment.

Click to go to the Challenge and like it or leave a comment.

add new challenge

Digital Divide

increase in eServices leaving people behind

Louth

Integration of residents from Direct Provision Centre Ardee

Integration of residents from Direct Provision ...

A present around 60 residents with little or no English language skills reside in Setanta House Ardee. Currently plans are underway to establish a buddy volunteer programme to match local residents with the same interests with a resident from the DP centre. Plans are also under way to establish a Fáilte Isteach hub which will enable the residents to practice their English conversation. The challenge will be to engage interpreters, volunteers and carry out social events within the current climate and Covid restrictions. Plans are already in motion with Louth Volunteer Centre, Louth LEADER and the hosts DEEhub.

Louth

To set up an Independent Artists Studio Space in Drogheda

To set up an Independent Artists Studio Space i...

The Borrowed Ground Arts Collective was formed over three years ago with the support of and in association with the Droichead Arts Centre, with the mission to establish Artist Studio Spaces in Drogheda. The Collective consists of ten professional artists based in Drogheda. The collective has been searching for a suitable and secure building that could be used as artist studios. There is a vital need for designated studio spaces for artists in Drogheda. We intend to set up an independent artist’s space, which will allow us to work, and develop our professional practice, and ultimately this space will contribute to the vibrant Art scene in Drogheda. This will be the first independent artist studios in Drogheda and Droichead Arts Centre will continue to provide support in kind and in funding on the establishment of the studio space.

Louth

Be a Welcoming Community

Moving house is considered one of the most stressful life events. Imagine trying to settle into your new neighbourhood during a global pandemic and national lockdown. I know all about this challenge as I faced it when I moved into a new estate in August 2020. I also know community services are striving to develop new ways to reach marginalised individuals and communities safely, as we emerge out of a lockdown as restrictions are being lifted. COVID has highlighted many of the inequalities that existed pre-COVID 19, for example, the digital divide is acutely felt by those who experience social isolation. Aim: The aim of this project is to reduce the digital divide, combat loneliness and social isolation for marginalised communities as we move towards recovery from the impact of COVID on our economic and social life. The benefits will enhance education, health and wellbeing and other opportunities for marginalised individuals / communities.

Louth

EV Electric Vehicle Interpretive Centres joint funded by vehicle manufactures'/government

EV Electric Vehicle Interpretive Centres joint...

Ireland is banning the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles by 2030.In less than nine years from now motorists will be asked to embrace new technologies in a new form of transport most have never used before. To help this transition E.V. centres are needed to assist the motoring public in becoming familiar with the use of such vehicles. Here they can test drive different models by hiring and taking them on a circuit provided by the centre. In doing so such fears as range anxiety can be addressed and the advantages of owning such vehicles can be shown in a hands on experience. I feel this could speed up the interest in such vehicles by familiarising the public on a need to know basis. These centres could also help in making the transition to E.V.s less challenging as we approach the 2030 deadline. These centres would arguably be the first of their kind in Ireland and bring other benefits such as tourism. Here visiting families can experience the future of travel.

N/A, Sligo

Art & information hiking Trail over the peaks of the iron Mts. Co. Leitrim

Art & information hiking Trail over the peaks o...

Development of a hiking trail from- either 1; the Cuilcagh ’stairway to Heaven’ to Drumshanbo. Or 2; Blacklion to Drumshanbo via the Cavan Burren, the Shannon Pot, up to Glangevlin, over Sliabh na Cille, then join the Leitrim way/Beara-Breifne way to Drumshanbo. Along the route there could be sculptures, murals , and various other art installations that make the journey more memorable, inspiring, and educational as to the area's local history, wildlife, and the Tuatha de Danann. I have mapped out possible routes but would like a team to help develop the initiative. Another asset that can be developed along this route is the dis-used old cottages along the way. These cottages are often in excess of 300years and are a monument to Irish history. Forgotten and left to crumble these cottages can be restored as 'museum' type locations/destination that can be preserved, used as resting/ information points, café, and even accommodation to generate income to the landowners.

Leitrim, Cavan

Tackling Plastic Waste Locally Via a "Precious Plastic" Project

Tackling Plastic Waste Locally Via a "Precious ...

The Precious Plastic project (https://preciousplastic.com/universe/how-does-it-work.html) is a global programme to tackle plastic waste on a local level by setting up local volunteer led workshops and social enterprises to turn plastic waste back into usable products. The programme has developed in the last few years to focus on creating an ecosystem of training and supports that can give people a wide range of new skills and bring economic and environmental advantages to local communities.

Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo

Communities Working Together for Everyone's Benefit

Communities Working Together for Everyone's Ben...

To gather community groups together to garner support for each other community's project in a positive and procative way

Leitrim

Regeneration and Employment

Develop an apprenticeship program in construction that allows derelict buildings in the village to be used for on site practical learning allowing the application of building and craft skills. Engage the older generations that have the experience and other generations who want to learn creating employment across generations and encouraging people back into the community.

Sligo

Town Vitality, How to increase population & visitors

Town Vitality, How to increase population & vis...

Increase town residents = more evening-trade, activity, life, vibrancy, save retail! Your ideas..? Imagine walking through the Savoy Cinema doors (shut 30+ years) into a #CultureQuarter, a hidden village of ...? Craft making, Arts, Studios, 3Dprinting resident’s waste plastic. Affordable indigenous commercial units like 'Donegal Village'. Older generations; could we see a return of reLearning-old-trades before they're lost forever? Mixed-income, multi-generational community-led housing is a norm in many countries. Until more learn Cohousing is not CoLiving, we'll never catch up with other UK/EU towns/cities. or does Sligo continue w 'flats' where nobody needs know their neighbour, or community. Sligo's Courthouse Block ..still ignored, Dereliction has compounded vacancy. #NormalPeople want to live in warmer communities. Down-sizers deserve better options than retirement or nursing village. We can build better stuff in better places!

Sligo

Harmful Chemical Free Communities

I propose the phasing out of harmful toxic chemicals used by County Councils in grounds keeping (parks, flowers, green areas etc). Harmful chemicals include pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and artifical fertilisers etc. Now is the time to take action. We are in an unprecedented time of environmental and human degradation. The health of both systems is intrinsically linked and if we act now we can change our current path.

Cavan

E Governance

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

Sligo, Cavan

Irish Cultural Activities

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

Donegal

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.

Monaghan

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.

Monaghan

Development of Traditional Music and Culture

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann groups considering new ways of developing and promoting Irish Traditional Music and engaging with the diaspora

Sligo

Community Centres - a new way to work

Idea generation for new services and service delivery in community centres around the region

Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth

Sligo Communities Action Planning

Bringing Sligo Community groups together to identify priorities and actions for the area

Sligo