Sligo LEADER Partnership marks the launch of new name and vision for the representative body for local development companies throughout Ireland

Sligo LEADER Partnership marked the launch of the Local Development Companies Network, LDCN, formerly known as the Irish Local Development Network at an event in Buswells Hotel in Dublin today (12.02.2025).

LDCN, which is the national representative body for the 45 local development companies throughout Ireland, including Sligo LEADER Partnership, has updated its name, visual identity and tagline to better reflect the important role that local development companies play in Irish society. The new tagline for the network, “Collective Vision, Fairer Society”, represents the collective strength of the 45 local development companies in building a fairer society in Ireland through providing on-the-ground services supporting rural development, social inclusion, climate change and integration, amongst others.

Speaking today, CEO John Feerick said:

“Sligo LEADER Partnership is delighted to mark the launch of the Local Development Companies Network. The new name is an opportunity for us here in Sligo, along with our colleagues from around the country, to reflect on and demonstrate the collective impact of the work of local development companies throughout Ireland.”

Also speaking at the launch was Dr. Carol Baumann, CEO of the Local Development Companies Network, who said:

“We are delighted to officially launch the Local Development Companies Network and our new identity. Local development companies are critical to communities throughout Ireland – they have been leading out on the integration of Ukrainian refugees into Irish society since the war in Ukraine broke out; and they run services tackling issues like food poverty, long-term unemployment and many more issues that are prevalent throughout the country.  Local development companies provide local solutions to local problems. However, these local problems are often caused by systemic issues that must be addressed at a national level. Through the Local Development Companies Network we are a strong representative voice for all local development companies and we look forward to working with the new Government and with policy makers to address these systemic issues to create a fairer society.”