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

Health Care Forests

Inspire and support healthcare sites in transforming their green space for health, wellbeing and biodiversity. Ideas include beautiful gardens for rest and recovery; woodland, orchards and meadows that lock up carbon and create habitats for wildlife; and growing space for fruit and veg. https://nhsforest.org/ lots of evidence about the benefits linking nature and well being. Also lots of examples of projects in action to learn from. Can link into social prescription projects.

Monaghan, Louth

Securing a safe Footpath/cycle track between Dunfanaghy and Portnablagh - or better still - to Ards

Securing a safe Footpath/cycle track between Du...

As above - plans exist

Donegal

Greenway from Ballybay to Castleblayney

Challenge raised at Idea Generation Workshop for Ballybay - Greenway from Ballybay to Castleblayney - perhaps a Recreational Corridor?

Monaghan

Repurposing old buildings in the town

Challenge raised at Idea Generation Workshop for Ballybay - Repurposing old buildings in the town

Monaghan

Lack of youth activities in Ballybay

Challenge raised at the Idea Generation Workshop for Ballybay- Lack of youth activities in Ballybay

Monaghan

Communication and Marketing of Ballybay, or lack of it, for residents / potential residents / visito

Communication and Marketing of Ballybay, or lac...

Challenge raised at the Idea Generation Workshop for Ballybay- Communication and Marketing of Ballybay, or lack of it, for residents / potential residents / visitors and more How can we tackle this?

Monaghan

Designated disability changing toilets to suits kids and adults

Designated disability changing toilets to suits...

Idea from Monaghan Farmer's Market - Designated disability changing toilets to suit kids and adults

Monaghan

Airbnb for empty kitchens & Shared outdoor street food area

Airbnb for empty kitchens & Shared outdoor stre...

Ideas from Monaghan Farmer's Market - Airbnb for empty kitchens, Shared outdoor street food area. Could come under the broader theme of Food in the county *Image by Streatyard at Streatyard, a seasonal and temporary outdoor eating area in Corcaghan, outside of Monaghan Town

Monaghan

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

The Tain Walkway

Creating a Walkway from Ardee to Dundalk through Tallanstown, Louth Village and Knockbridge using the historic Tain Trail as a guide

Louth

Food Growers Network & Strategy in Monaghan

Connecting consumers with the county's growers, and connecting growers with one another. Expand on the existing (?) Monaghan Food Network between restaurants and food producers in the North Monaghan area https://localprevention.ie/monaghan-county-council-supports-monaghan-food-network/ and make it a county wide effort. Create a new strategy? - the last one was 2017-2020. A community supported approach to agriculture is required as many farmers do not have the time for the admin side of things. Food poverty needs to be addressed too. Could we introduce food subsidies similar to medical subsidies for those on social welfare? Offer social food credit, can only be spent on locally grown or produced food? Ensure balanced focus on veg growing alongside meat production; there's a lot of emphasis on meat and dairy. Promote seasonal consumption.

Monaghan

Better community integration

Moving to a different country is not an easy task. Once you arrive to your new country you can be faced with different barriers. One of the most common problem faced by families arriving to Ireland presently is that of language barrier and Culture shock. Culture shock can be experienced from difficulties of making new friends, worries of fitting in and finding job. You suddenly feels like the outsider. Your life has changed and your previous life seems so distant away. You become uncomfortable as you grow in different direction than what you have been used to. Life becomes stressful and tense. And you begin to look for clusters that reminds you of home in silo groups. Integrating becomes difficult. But remember you will not always feel this way. Our challenge is to use our unique skill set to bring together women from all the different nationalities living in Co Louth to work together with people they would normally not work with for better integration in our communities.

Louth

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

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

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

Develop Inclusive Shared Green/Blue Spaces in County Louth

Develop Inclusive Shared Green/Blue Spaces in C...

As a coastal county we have the opportunity to develop a fully accessible sea swimming point for people with disabilities. Louth has beautiful scenery and historic locations that could be connected by accessible cycle lanes. These amenities would benefit the environment and everyone living in County Louth.

Louth

Promotion of positive mental health in lockdown.

Lockdown has been hard for most of us and now more than ever communication, conversation and a pair of listening ears are so important.

Donegal