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| 1 May 2025 | |
| Charity Sector News |
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has launched Rochtain, a powerful new initiative designed to build advocacy capacity across Ireland’s community and voluntary sector. Funded by the St. Stephen’s Green Trust, Rochtain aims to empower smaller organisations to engage more effectively with political systems and decision-makers. The word Rochtain means “access” or “attainment” in Irish
The initiative will support grassroots groups in navigating the political landscape, crafting effective messaging, and influencing policy on issues that matter most to their communities.
Many smaller non-profits in Ireland lack the capacity to hire advocacy staff or consultants. As a result, important community voices often go unheard at national level. Rochtain seeks to address this imbalance by offering training and one-to-one support to organisations working with minoritised communities, those without dedicated policy staff, or those unable to afford this kind of support elsewhere.
The initiative offers workshops exploring key aspects of political engagement — from understanding the Irish legislative process to drafting effective communications for TDs and Senators. Sessions will also cover how to submit parliamentary questions, prepare compelling budget proposals, and track lobbying activities. All training is complemented by easy-to-access support materials and expert advice for advocacy queries.
Two online Rochtain training sessions are now open for registration:
The “New” Oireachtas: Understanding Irish Political Structures and Where to Find Information
Thursday, 29 May | 11:00 – 13:00
Register Here
Effective Political Communications for NGOs
Wednesday, 4 June | 11:00 – 13:00
Register Here
While all non-profits are welcome to apply, ICCL will prioritise participation for organisations that do not have dedicated advocacy staff, are working with marginalised communities, or would not otherwise be in a position to access similar training. At its heart, Rochtain is about ensuring more equitable access to power. ICCL believes that by investing in the advocacy skills of smaller organisations, we can build a stronger, more inclusive civil society — and ensure that policy reflects the lived realities of all communities in Ireland.
For more information visit https://www.iccl.ie/activism-protest/rochtain/
