European sustainable development rural actor database

Rural Community Network is a regional voluntary organisation established by community groups from rural areas in 1991 to articulate the voice of rural communities on issues relating to poverty, disadvantage and equality.

Rural Community Network adopts a community development approach to its work and employs a team of staff with a broad spectrum of skills in areas such as rural community development, action research, policy analysis, community planning, peace building, consultation, mediation facilitation and technical support.

RCN, as the regional rural voluntary organisation for rural communities in Northern Ireland, is committed to a rural community development and networking approach to the planning and development of rural communities in order to address poverty, social exclusion and equality and to support work towards ‘A Shared Future’.

Empowering the voice of rural communities: to provide rural people with the skills required to engage effectively with decision makers

Championing excellence in rural community development practice: to promote rural community development practice as an agent for change

Developing civic leadership in rural communities: to promote volunteering and, in particular, focus on encouraging volunteers from the most excluded sectors of rural society

Actively working towards an equitable and peaceful society: to support rural communities in making a contribution towards ‘a Shared Future’ through community relations and good relations work

Promoting the sustainable development of rural communities: to support rural communities in exploring what sustainable development means in a rural context