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

Low Cost Activities for Children of all Ages Needed in North Co. Louth

Low Cost Activities for Children of all Ages Ne...

This challenge came out of the North Louth Idea Generation Workshop held on the 30th June 2021. The purpose of this Design Thinking workshop is to bring like minded people together who are passionate about creating a better community experience for families who would like to see more choices of low cost activities for children of all ages in North County Louth. This group will come together and generate ideas and solutions on how to achieve this goal.

Louth

Artisan Foods of Monaghan

Establishment of a Collective Food Network of Micro and Artisan Food Producers in County Monaghan with the aim of developing, aiding and supporting the artisan food sector in County Monaghan

Monaghan

Attracting new Board and Committee Members

I hear from a lot of community groups and organisations they find it hard to attract new members and new people to come onto Boards and committee and take on responsibilities for the running of the group! How can they overcome this challenge?

Monaghan

Men's shed

Setting up a men's shed in muirhevnamor

Louth

Knowledge and Skills for Circular Economy

Educate about why we need to transition from linear to circular economy. Develop a market place for materials for the circular economy.

Cavan

West Cavan Revitalisation

Attracting people to live and work remotely in West Cavan.

Cavan

Learn Irish Sign Language

We would love to see ISL classes delivered locally in Monaghan. They would give deaf and hard of hearing people the opportunity to mix in the community

Monaghan

Restoring hedgerows for climate and biodiversity benefits

Restoring hedgerows for climate and biodiversit...

Hedgerows are homes for birds and mammals, support pollinators, shelter livestock from cold and heat, absorb carbon, prevent sediment entering watercourses, and are often last spots where you will see spring woodland flowers. Widespread removal and intensive management is reducing their coverage and benefits. Challenge is to find a way with landowners, communities and others to join together to create a real network of healthy hedgerows stretching across the region.

Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth

Wells for Community Connection

To develop exsisting and new places /opportunities for social connection in meaningful ways. Traditionally communities where more dependent on each other and more curious to connect (less distractions) The local community well was a meeting spot for clean water. Meeting at the well and other meeting spots created strong connections. As did the mode of transport ie walking and cycling created opportunities to stop and acknowledge each other. Recreating this type of transport initiative in rural Ireland like electric bikes initatives would help the actions to reduce climate change / and involve tech solutions re the security and charging points as secondary aims. The primary simple aims are social engagement in health promoting initiatives through meeting places as a result of meaningful regular activity.

Louth

Build Compassionate Connected Communities

Build community with training in Asset Based Community Development or similar model Promotion of compassionate connected community including groups and organisations and help them realise their potential to promote health and wellbeing ( 8 dimensions of wellbeing: intellectual wellbeing, occupational wellbeing, environmental wellbeing, relational wellbeing, physical wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, spiritual wellbeing, financial wellbeing)

Louth

Mental Health space

to create a space where people experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety or depression can go to just "be". A safe space with a calming relaxing atmosphere, where people can just sit and be relaxed or complete a jigsaw, read a book, do some colouring in a colouring book, listen to some relaxing music on headphones or interact and chat with another person, their choice, no pressure. No professionals or therapists, just ordinary people who can listen without judgement or advice.

Sligo

Funding for dedicated Eating Disorder services

more dedicated treatment services for people with eating disorders and more funding for these services. better awareness of the services that do exist too. during covid19, it's reported that there's been a 66% rise in eating disorder hospital admissions.

Monaghan

Farm to Fork

To provide support to evaluate the possibilities for small farmers to reposition their value in the rural community. To add value to existing farm produce, to share resources to ensure ongoing and shared production of local produce with an outlet for sales, marketing, research and development.

Donegal

Village regeneration through infrastructure improvement

Village regeneration through infrastructure imp...

To create community cohesion, participation and buy in from the wider community. To create a shared vision to address local dereliction, parking, walking, birdwatching, by implementing an economic priority for the local community first.

Donegal

River and lakeshore amenity development

Development of walkways around river and lakeshore areas. Incorporating biodiversity and water protection measures

Cavan

Celebrating and Safeguarding our Ancient Landscapes and Histories

Celebrating and Safeguarding our Ancient Landsc...

It's been widely reported that vandalism of Neolithic tombs is an increasing problem across Sligo. A visitor centre on our ancient landscapes could serve a variety of purposes - job creation, education opportunities for local schools, drawcard for tourists, and a way to publicise the importance of the sites and the need to protect them. It could be both a way fundraise for action and a central hub for the groups that are working towards greater education about, and protection of, Sligo landscapes and all its associated stories.

Sligo

Kiltyclogher - A vibrant and sustainable future - Kilty Alive

Kiltyclogher - A vibrant and sustainable future...

This challenge will help to develop and sustain the many unique aspects of Kiltyclogher village, its community, and surrounding rural area.

Leitrim

Social Enterprise - Reducing Costs and Generating Income

Social Enterprise - Reducing Costs and Generati...

This Course will support and mentor social enterprises throughout Donegal to plan and develop for sustainability in the wake of the COVID pandemic. It is vital but challenging for social enterpises to generate income while doing the most with what they have available. The restrictions potentially offer time to plan and strategise methods and new routes for operating, generating income, focussing resources and planning for the future. Design Thinking will help you approach these matters in a new way, allowing you to generate creative solutions and problem solve efficiently. The process can also be applied to other challenges in the future.’

Donegal