Jennifer Donovan

Grateful for the opportunity to get involved in another PAI Review, this time exploring the human side of innovation and dissecting mental health challenges along the road to driving change. Check out the full edition below!

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✨ Marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women ✨ This week on Policy360: Unplugged, I had the privilege of speaking with Danielle Roberts, a passionate advocate for women’s rights and a driving force in policy reform. Our conversation dives deep into critical issues affecting women across Northern Ireland, including: 💠 The unique challenges facing women in Loyalist communities and their fight for representation. 💠 The intersection of gender and policy, and why women’s voices must be central to shaping our future. 💠 Practical steps policymakers can take to address violence against women and build safer communities. As we reflect on this important day, it’s vital to recognise the persistent barriers women face—domestic violence, economic inequality, and systemic discrimination. But it’s also a moment to shine a light on the incredible work being done by advocates like Danielle, who refuse to let these issues be ignored. 🎧 Tune in to the latest episode to hear Danielle’s insights, her call to action for policymakers, and the stories of resilience and courage from women who inspire change every day. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eHt3nX9t Let’s commit to ensuring no woman’s voice goes unheard. Together, we can shape a more equal, just, and violence-free future. #Policy360Unplugged #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #InternationalDay #PolicyInfluence #WomenInLeadership

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Our friends at Act Now NI have launched an important project, looking at the scale of influence wielded by the Loyalist Communities Council - a group which represents Loyalist paramilitary gangs - in the Northern Ireland Executive. They need to fund the research, and I've chipped in to help them at the link below. If you want to know more about the campaign, I've pasted their email below. ---- Matthew, this is outrageous. The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) - which represents the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando paramilitary groups - are putting pressure on Education Minister Paul Givan to halt plans for an Irish Language primary in East Belfast. It’s not acceptable that paramilitary groups which are responsible for so much misery in their communities can hold sway over politicians like this. So here’s the plan, Matthew. We’re going to submit a series of Freedom of Information requests to every Minister in the Executive to find out the scale of LCC’s influence at Stormont over the past five years. We know that government officials have information on when meetings took place and notes from meetings. It’s Act Now’s first piece of investigation work. They’re a great way to hold politicians and companies to account. But investigations take lots of time and effort – which means they’re also very expensive. So, Matthew , can you chip in to help us get this done? The average donation is £8.24, but anything you can chip in will help: https://lnkd.in/ebSg2DFr We all deserve to know who is in their ear of our Ministers. That’s why we have been busy making plans to make Stormont more transparent and expose the LCC’s influence on departments. Here's just some of the information we want: How many meetings LCC has had with each department and their respective Minister over the past 5 years What the reason was for the meeting(s) The minutes from those meetings Exposing lobbying can be hard. But we want to make sure that Stormont works in the interest of everyone in society, not just a bigoted few.  This is a big lift for us Matthew. They will use every trick in the book to keep this information away from us, but that's what's so special about Act Now: when we take action together, we’re more than a match for anyone. So, Roan, can you chip in so we can put resources into getting this done? The average donation is £8.24, but any amount you can chip in really helps. https://lnkd.in/ebSg2DFr Thanks for everything that you do, Roan and the Act Now team. P.S: Act Now doesn’t get money from the government, big corporations or political parties. To keep our independence, our aim is to be 100% funded by people just like you. Will you chip in something small today to keep Uplift going? Click here to donate securely.

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🚀 Redefining Community Engagement and Policymaking in Northern Ireland 🚀 In a world where data drives decisions, how do we ensure community voices are heard loud and clear? We’ve partnered with Northern Ireland Local Government Association to bring Citizen Led Impact (CLI) to local authorities across Northern Ireland. This groundbreaking approach empowers communities to take an active role in shaping policy, while leveraging the power of data insights to ensure those policies are effective and inclusive. 👥 The Problem: Too often, policies are designed without real input from the people most affected by them. This disconnect leads to ineffective solutions and eroded trust between communities and governments. ✨ The Solution: Our Citizen Led Impact model bridges the gap by integrating community input directly into the policymaking process. With powerful data insights, local authorities can now make decisions that reflect the true needs of the people they serve. Community-driven engagement: CLI ensures that policies are not only informed by data but also shaped by the community’s voice. Better outcomes: When communities and governments work hand in hand, everyone benefits. 👉 Read the full blog post here: https://www.impera-https://lnkd.in/ekN2zM8F #PolicyMaking #CommunityEngagement #DataDrivenDecisions #CitizenLedImpact #ImperaAnalytics #NILGA #InclusiveGovernance #SocialProgress #NorthernIreland

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Most corporate and local trust/foundation donors fund projects for just a year at a time. Although there are a few notable exceptions, the majority of international donor trusts and foundations also restrict their giving to a year. It’s frustrating for fundraisers, CEOs and programme and project managers who want the security of sustained funding for projects via which services are delivered to those in need. https://lnkd.in/e57CzuVS

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Why attend a Regional Networking Event? Whenever I have any one-to-one meetings I often get asked. How do I get a chance to find out /talk to either: *Social Enterprise sector *Corporate sector *Public sector Well, this is your chance to DIRECTLY ENGAGE with any/all of the above whichever is your target audience, through our Social Enterprise Northern Ireland regional networking meetings that are open to EVERYONE!! These are very informal 2-hour sessions located each time in a differing social enterprise across the region. It includes a best practice visit and overview on that business from the sector. The format is broadly the same: 💥 Update of any current opportunities and events from SENI over the next few months 💥 An overview of the support you can get from the Go Succeed programme including a small grant (if you fit the criteria) 💥 Six Degrees of separation activity. Believe me when I say you NEED to attend for this activity alone. The last networking event we held a few weeks ago in Stepping Stones NI Lisburn was outstanding.  There was a great mix of social enterprises / private sector and public sector organisations. Everyone in the room got a chance to give a 3 min overview of their organisation to the room, ending with an "ask" / "issue" they have been trying to resolve. Lots of knowledge was shared and new connections and relationships were started by the end of the meeting. Connecting, supporting and brokering relationships is one of my core strengthens. We have had fantastic feedback from that event and many have rebooked for our next event, in The Workspace Group in Draperstown on Tues 10th September. You do not have to be based in the local area to be able to attend. You only need to want to make new connections with other businesses from all sectors to help you achieve your business goals. REGISTER NOW - Regional Network Meeting https://lnkd.in/em9uG_tt Don’t forget - The Social Enterprise NI-wide directory is also live on our website but is being formerly launched at our Meet the Procurer event on 24th September by Minister Murphy. 💥 This new brokerage service means you can direct message either a social enterprise or into a social value partner (corporate and public sector organisations) directly on the platform.   💥 Jump onto our website and sign up if you aren’t already a member to gain access to this member only area. Access to Social Enterprise NI wide Directory https://lnkd.in/euVaZmyJ Meet the Procurer https://lnkd.in/eZb8s9sN David Hunter John McMullan Colin Jess Jenny Irvine Chara Clarke Roy Bell Dave Linton Catherine Burns Rachel Creagh Invest Northern Ireland nibusinessinfo.co.uk FSB Northern Ireland Kirsty McManus Dip IoD, MBA Construction Employers Federation (CEF)

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The power of National Voices membership in how issues that impact people everyday can be identified and used to influence change - right here!

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🌟 At Daughters of Charity Child and Family Services we are standing strong together with the coalition of Tusla-funded agencies, who are championing a brighter future for the community and voluntary sector! 🙌 Today, groups representing charities that provide essential services on behalf of the State have called on the Taoiseach to address pay shortfalls and secure sustainable funding. 💼 In their letter to Simon Harris, they’re advocating for a long-term funding model for vital services in housing, health, and disability support. These services, critical to so many, have been under-resourced due to cuts since the economic crisis, threatening their very existence. ⚠️ We appreciate the government's approval in October 2023 of an 8% wage increase, which helps address pay disparity in Section 39, 56, and 10 organisations. However, more is needed to ensure that our teams and the people we serve aren’t left behind. That’s why we’re pushing for the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 to be applied and for a cross-departmental, whole-of-government approach that ensures multi-annual funding—bringing stability to staff, services, and communities alike. 💙 Together, we can make lasting change! #CommunityFirst #SustainableFunding #TogetherWeThrive #StrongerTogether #DOCCFS #SimonHarris #TheWheel #Paydisparity Dr. Tracey A. Monson MBA

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Calling all #Sustainability Professionals! If you are a Sustainability Officer / Manager or Operations Manager, or are otherwise involved in corporate sustainability reporting, I would be very grateful if you would help contribute to my research into corporate sustainability reporting behaviour in Irish companies and how it impacts environmental performance. This research is part of my Masters dissertation in Management for Sustainable Development in Dublin City University (DCU), and this short, anonymous survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Please feel free to share with any relevant sustainability connections who may be able to contribute. 🔗 The link to the survey is here: 👇 https://lnkd.in/ebhZVvHe Many thanks! #sustainability #reporting #CSRD #CSRreport #ESG #EnvironmentalPerformance

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PEACEPLUS is designed to invest in areas as that contribute to peace and prosperity, this includes the health and well being of our citizens. Access to essential services for our citizens in the border counties is a question of equality of treatment and we are delighted to make this important investment in health care services . Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) - European Funding

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A new report launched today by The Migraine Trust outlines the significant barriers to #Migraine care for those living in Northern Ireland. Some of the key findings include: • Four of five Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) do not have a headache nurse. • Out of 25 neurological specialists in Northern Ireland, only three are headache specialists. • Two of five HSCTs do not directly provide calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (CGRP mAbs), a newer class of medication developed specifically for people with migraine. • Half of Northern Ireland’s neurological specialists are concentrated in Belfast. Now that the Northern Ireland Executive has been restored, we want to see swift and positive changes that will allow people with migraine in Northern Ireland to access the care they need. You can find more detail about the key findings and the report here: https://lnkd.in/eTn8qr6f https://lnkd.in/eJ4i8_jR

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Such an opportunity. 

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Great opportunities

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Powerful analysis here from the Institute of Health Equity. In this new report they find: “…since 2010, central government spending cuts to local authorities were highest in areas with lower life expectancy and more health inequalities, further harming health in these places.” Read it here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dKm3QKab #health #equity #publicpolicy

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New report from Carers NI Carer Poverty Commission looking at international evidence. Recommends 3 measures which reduce poverty, save the state money & support the economy: 1. Statutory paid leave & flex working policies. 2. Reform Carers Allowance. 3. More paid care. https://lnkd.in/eVDwkpQ3

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listen to the last episode in the current series #CloseToHome which looks to the future and the strategies we need to develop community and policy responses to Domestic Violence . Department of Justice Denise Charlton

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The latest Pivotal report on economic inactivity in NI is well worth a read. Personally I don't like using the term "economically inactive", we must remember that behind every statistic there's a person with their own barriers to employment. With the right pre-employment engagement and in work support we will see many more people move into paid jobs but orgs in the 3rd sector need backed to make this happen. It just won't work otherwise. With over 250 people with disabilities supported into jobs with a future last year alone, NOW Group and other amazing orgs in our sector can do much more. NIUSE (Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment) Read the report here https://lnkd.in/eWh5vnwx

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https://lnkd.in/et8ECyyC Ministers McEntee and Burke welcome agreement on actions to increase the competitiveness of Ireland in attracting key skills. The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD, today (Wednesday) announced that they have secured Government agreement for a number of key actions to increase the competitiveness of Ireland in attracting the skills and talent the economy needs. These include enabling all eligible spouses and partners of employment permit holders to work if they are already in the State and are granted permission to live in Ireland with their family member. They also include agreement to begin to roll out a single permit to both work and live in Ireland. Implementing a single permit will eventually allow Ireland to opt into the EU’s Single Permit Directive. Both of these measures will significantly enhance Ireland’s ability to compete internationally to attract talent, addressing skills shortages in our economy and promoting economic growth. Arrangements for eligible spouses/partners who already hold a ‘stamp 3’ permission Spouses and de facto partners of persons who are currently resident in Ireland on Stamp 3 conditions do not need to attend their local immigration office and do not need to apply online to obtain a permission to reside on Stamp 1G conditions without the need for an employment permit. A new Irish Residence Permit on Stamp 1G conditions will be issued to eligible persons when they seek to renew their current permission upon its expiry. Further information regarding these arrangement is available here

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