Locals urged to make their voice heard

A pioneering initiative is being provided for communities in North Clare and South Galway to air their views and vision about the future development of the Burren.
Led by some key organisations representing interests as varied as heritage, tourism and agriculture, the Burren Charter project gives locals and interest groups an opportunity to take control of their own destiny.
Anyone with an interest in the Burren is being urged to attend a number of special events planned over the summer or alternatively have their say through dedicated web pages.
The Burren Community Charter aims to develop a collective vision for the future of the Burren and also look at practical steps through which this vision can be realised. 
“Instead of reacting to other people’s ideas and agendas as to what is best for the Burren, this locally-led project is working to build a proactive, community-led vision for the Burren and also striving to ensure that local communities take ownership of this vision,” according to project manager, Zena Hoctor.
“In essence, this is a new landscape movement through which local communities are being encouraged and empowered to become architects of their own destiny,” she explains.
Ms Hoctor and representatives from a core collective of organisations, Burren Farming for Conservation, Burren Connect, Burren IFA and Burrenbeo Trust, as well as heritage officers from Clare and Galway, are working together on this Heritage Council-funded project entitled ‘The Burren – What can you do?’
Ms Hoctor added, “Without the active engagement, energy and creative input of local communities, this Burren community charter will never succeed”.
In order to give everyone a chance to participate, the project will be present at different shows in the region including Ennistymon Agricultural Show on June 5, Ballyvaughan Farmers’ Market on June 18, Ardrahan on the July 10 and Corofin on July 23. There will also be family events on dates to be confirmed.
According to Ms Hoctor, “These events will only work if large numbers of local people show up and really start to engage with their future in the Burren and make their voices heard.
We really hope that as many local people come along as possible – to encourage a range of ages and ideas, the events will feature a mixture of activities for children, displays from local schools, a specially constructed ‘talk box’ so that people can tell their visions in private, a space for discussing ideas and sharing opinions with others.”  
For more information on the Burren Charter Project, contact Zena Hoctor on 091 637964 or Brigid Barry on 091 638096.