Healthy Ireland Local Government

14/10/2026

The first Healthy Ireland Local Government Newsletter is now available to download.

We are delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural Autumn/Winter edition of the Healthy Ireland Local Government (HILG) Newsletter, the first of two editions to be published each year.

This edition is an opportunity to reflect on the 2025/26 year: the progress made across our programmes, the achievements celebrated across the network, and the developments that continue to strengthen the role of local government in improving health and wellbeing in communities across Ireland.

It also marks a milestone moment, with a reflection from our outgoing National Lead, Vinne O’Shea, on four years of progress, including:

✔️ The Healthy Cities & Counties Programme and Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme embedded within local government, with strong governance, national frameworks and a permanent Administrative Officer workforce providing long-term leadership and capacity
✔️ Ireland's strengthened position within the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, including our largest-ever Irish delegation at the 2026 WHO Annual Business Meeting and the continued accreditation of Irish Healthy Cities and Counties
✔️ Locally led, place-based approaches that reduce health inequalities, build community capacity and respond to local priorities

In this issue, you can explore and read more on:

→ Highlights of Healthy Ireland Local Government Activity 2025/26
→ Healthy Cities & Counties Programme in Focus
→ WHO European Healthy Cities Network
→ Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme within Local Government

Thank you to every Healthy City & County Coordinator, Local Development Officer, local authority colleague and partner organisation for your unwavering commitment to advancing community wellbeing. Your dedication has laid strong foundations for the future.

📥 Download the newsletter 🔗 https://hilocalgov.pulse.ly/3ondayvqmq

12/10/2026

05/10/2026

02/10/2026

The publication of the National Process Evaluation of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme provides an important opportunity to reflect on what has been learned so far and, importantly, an evidence-based roadmap for the future.

We welcome the findings of the report, and in particular its recognition of the importance of approaches that are responsive to local context, build lasting community capacity and strengthen cross-sector collaboration.

For Healthy Ireland Local Government, this is a report that provides a strong platform to continue to build on this approach, supporting communities to shape the work taking place locally and to address the wider determinants of health in ways that reflect the needs and strengths of each community.

We look forward to incorporating the recommendations across the six domains into our work practices and relationships with our colleagues in the wider stakeholder group as we continue to make a meaningful and enduring contribution to the reduction of health inequalities across the 31 local authority areas.

Access and download the full report 🔗 https://hilocalgov.pulse.ly/fsbgtp53tw

18/09/2026

The WHO European Healthy Cities Conference in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, marked the 40th anniversary of the Ottawa Charter and the start of Phase VIII (2026–2030) of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network.

During Business Meeting 1, which focused on Phase VII accreditation and provisional accreditation, Cork City Council, Carlow County Council and Waterford City and County Council were formally granted Phase VIII accreditation to the WHO European Healthy Cities Network.

Galway City Council also received provisional accreditation, as it enters the final stage of the process towards full Phase VIII accreditation.

The achievement represents a significant commitment by these local authorities to embedding health and wellbeing, equity and sustainability into local policy, planning and decision-making.

Together, these achievements demonstrate the strength of Ireland’s participation in the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and the important role of local authorities in advancing health and wellbeing at a local level.

16/09/2026

Roscommon Community Resilience Toolkit: Embedding Recovery-Oriented Preparedness within Healthy Cities Action

Delivered at the 2026 WHO European Healthy Cities Conference held in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, Aisling Dunne, Healthy County Coordinator and Paul Clabby, Public Participation Network Coordinator, presented their poster on behalf of Roscommon County Council .

The Roscommon Community Resilience Toolkit was developed through a community-led, intersectoral approach that brought together local authority, community groups and partner organisations and demonstrated how a recovery-oriented approach can complement existing emergency management structures by bringing preparedness, community participation, coordination and wellbeing into the same conversation.

The full poster provides an overview of the development process and the key learning emerging from the initiative, including the principles underpinning the Community Resilience Toolkit.

Access and download the Roscommon Community Resilience Toolkit poster 🔗 https://hilocalgov.pulse.ly/xk5ziqadad

04/09/2026

With the initial fieldwork completed in 2024, the newly published Research Paper from DCU School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Science and Health, in collaboration with Sláintecare Healthy Communities in Dublin City Council & Mayo County Council titled “Using an experience-based design approach to advance health literacy in Ireland” has been approved for publication and is now available to download.

This research report focuses on making strategic, effective recommendations for the improvement of health literacy within communities, comprising:

➡️ Early Intervention
➡️ Improved Health Infrastructure and
➡️ Community Engagement

The full research paper is available to download online 🔗 https://sciencedirect.pulse.ly/s3jhf5m73h

Congratulations to DCU Dublin City Council Mayo County Council on this publication! 👏

27/08/2026

Healthy Ireland Local Government is delighted to announce our participation in the One Health Festival, taking place between November 20th and 27th, 2026, during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Working in association with the All-Ireland One Health Collaborative Network, the One Health Festival brings together colleagues and partners from universities, local authorities and other organisations, all committed to advancing One Health, an integrated and collaborative approach that highlights the deep interconnections between human, animal, plant and ecosystem health.

We are encouraging local authorities to take part in the One Health Festival. With real influence across key One Health areas, from biodiversity and environment to planning and education, local authorities are well placed to showcase their work and its impact to a wider audience.

Applications are now open and welcomed for the One Health Festival for anyone looking to host & contribute.

If you would like to submit an event, you will find more information at: https://ucd.pulse.ly/qb2xxoqgxr

The application closing date is September 11th, 2026.

28/04/2026

The National Healthy Cities & Counties of Ireland Network is guided by the Phase VII framework of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, using it as a strong foundation to drive meaningful action and collaboration across government, local agencies, and communities.

👉 Promote health and wellbeing for all while reducing inequalities
👉 Lead by example at every level, local to global
👉 Support the implementation of WHO strategic priorities

Read & learn more about European Healthy Cities 🔗 https://hilocalgov.pulse.ly/pdyw8ti2e7

22/04/2026

What is Rural Health Promotion?

Rural health is about more than access to services, it's shaped by the everyday factors that influence wellbeing in our communities: transport, digital connectivity, local services, and community infrastructure.

Join the EUPHA webinar next week to explore the models and methodologies driving rural health promotion forward.

📅 Webinar: Models & Methodologies for Rural Health Promotion

🗓 23 April 2026 | 10:00–11:15

Register now to be part of the conversation 🔗 https://eupha.pulse.ly/wzranyv4ij