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.

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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

Reuse of unused buildings for dedicated community hubs

Reuse of unused buildings for dedicated communi...

Many groups are desperately in need of dedicated meeting spaces. Men's Sheds, Hen's Sheds, Baby and Toddler Groups, Youth groups are struggling to secure cost effective meeting spaces - even in pre-covid times. Alongside that many public buildings remain due to closures eg. HSE, Post Offices, Council Buildings. This would apply to all counties although at present I am particularly interested in finding premises for Dunleer Men's Shed. Could there be a scheme that matches groups to suitable premises?

Louth

Cycle and Pedestrian lanes for Ballybofey-Stranorlar

Cycle and Pedestrian lanes for Ballybofey-Stran...

Ballybofey-Stranorlar has a population of approx 2000 children in schools and creches. We also have many people involved outdoor activities including walking, running and cycling in the community. The towns need to be developed to make it easier for school children and our community to move around safety without cars. Our town centres are walkable and easily accessible, but the pre-dominance of cars in the main streets, inadequate pavement width and lack of cycle lanes make it unsafe for non-car road users in most areas. Establishing proper cycle and pedestrian lanes would - link the heart of the towns with areas of recreation on the town boundaries - support the development of wellbeing activities for people of all ages and abilities - reduce the number of cars on the road, and congestion, especially at the start and end of the school day.

Donegal

A Recreation Corridor from Donegal's heartland to the Coast

A Recreation Corridor from Donegal's heartland ...

Establish a networked recreation corridor through the area of scenic beauty from Ballybofey-Stranorlar to Donegal Town, in Co. Donegal. Creating a visitor friendly route between these two key towns in Donegal would - provide a resource for tourists and residents, encouraging year round wellbeing and outdoor activities - stimulate small communities and craft businesses along the route - create a pathway for visitors along the wild atlantic way into the heart of Donegal drawing them further north on their journeys The Wild Atlantic Way has been brilliant for bringing visitors to the West Coast of Ireland, but areas without the attractions of beaches are losing out as visitors congregate along signature points. Failte Ireland also recognise that the WAW north of Galway is underperforming and attracting fewer visitors than the southern route. this project would increase economic and tourism sustainability for the North West of Ireland.

Donegal

Keeping towns and villages viable

Finding new uses for closed up buildings attracting more people to live work and spend time locally

Cavan

Diversification opportunities for farmers

What non-agricultural or novel enterprise opportunities available to farmers

Cavan

Rural decline

Rural isolation and decline in areas of disadvantage due to lack of jobs and poor infrastructure.

Leitrim

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

Stop pollution of Lough Muckno

Ensure Lough Muckno goes from 'most polluted' to 'moderately polluted''

Monaghan

Creating infrastructure to develop sustainable craft enterprises in rural communities

Creating infrastructure to develop sustainable...

The last factory within the village was a guinness bottling facility that closed in the 1990s. We identified a pressing need for collective workspaces for the many creatives that live in the village. Creatives include; ceramic artists woodworkers, bakers, designers, furniture makers, antique restorers, textile workers, web designers. Despite living in a small village covid-19 lockdown has highlighted the massive potential of online sales and the support that is shown to Irish businesses by buying local. Creating a craft quarter in kiltyclogher could not only drive light manufacturing but also supply back to the local tourism industry. With higher footfall, ancillary services would be needed, including a cafe and craft shop that would also greatly benefit the community in its social aspects.

Leitrim

Services Outreach Centre for communities of Ray, Rathmullan and surrounding areas

Services Outreach Centre for communities of Ray...

Services for young people such as CAMHS, JIGSAW, RAINBOW, Donegal Youth Services are available in Letterkenny only. For older people services such as renewal of driving licenses, eye/ear appointments, chiropody, insurance could be made easier by bringing these services to Ray by way of pop-up clinics or consultations.

Donegal

Glass recycling bin areas in the town of Drogheda should be re-imagined spaces

Glass recycling bin areas in the town of Droghe...

Instead of people perceiving the glass recycling bins that are positioned around the town, as areas to dump stuff, they should be transformed into areas that invite/encourage people to think sustainably/ about the environment. These spaces could fit a small sustainable type business- be that a place where people brought products to be refilled, some sort of area for growing fresh herbs/plants/veg or simply some tasty local produce could be sold. Currently they attract vermin due to rubbish strewn all over the areas which is really unfortunate because they are in interesting spaces with a lot of potential.

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

McGahern Trail - South Leitrim

Interpretative trail for John McGahern fans with a number of interpretative centres along the way. Between Mohill Fenagh Ballinamore and Aughawillan, the area where he grew up and lived for many years, that inspired a lot of his writing. It could be in conjunction with the development of a greenway based along the old Cavan Leitrim railway which stretches along this route.

Leitrim

De Cuellar Trail

linking Streedagh Sligo with Glencar Manorhamilton Dromahaire and Kinlough

Leitrim, Sligo

Omeath's forgotten History

Omeath has a unique history and potential for a cultural tourism destination as the village was the home to the first recorded Gaelic match, the first Galteach, a summer residence of Padraig Pearse, the famous blind poet Seamus dall Mac Cuarta, The Fadgies . However, none of the buildings associated with Pearse and the first Gealtach were preserved and neither the heritage or tourism potential has been recognised by either the local authority or failte Ireland, Support and resources are required to promote the history and unique culture and promote the area as a cultural tourism destination.

Louth