Kilkenny PPN Degree Scholarship Programme

Do you have experience in the community sector but lack formal qualifications? Or are you looking to transition into a career focused on community development and social enterprise?

Kilkenny Public Participation Network (PPN) is offering up to five scholarships that reward active citizenship will be awarded to individuals from our member organisations across county Kilkenny. We particularly welcome candidates who have worked as volunteers in the community, looking for a career change or who have experience in business or social enterprise. These individuals will need to prove that they are active in their community and willing to become PPN Champions in their area.

These scholarships are for a Level 7 BA Degree in Business, Social Enterprise, and Community Development, delivered by EQUAL Ireland and accredited by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). The course is starting in January 2026 and running for 18 months.

Information Session

To learn more, come along to our Information Session on Wednesday 5th November at 7pm at the Berkeley Suite, Pembroke Hotel Kilkenny. Attendance is encouraged but not required. Click here register for the information session.

About the Degree Programme – Level 7 BA Degree in Business, Social Enterprise, and Community Development

Delivered by EQUAL Ireland and accredited by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). EQUAL Ireland works to sustain the European social model of an inclusive, cohesive information and knowledge rich society for all. It operates a practical Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system taking into account knowledge, skills and experience of applicants. This 18-month programme starting January 2026 combines distance and independent learning. For more information about EQUAL Ireland, visit www.equalireland.ie

The following is an outline of the Degree Programme being offered by Kilkenny PPN.

The Level 7 Bachelor of Arts in Business, Social Enterprise, and Community Development, jointly delivered by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and EQUAL Ireland, is a strategically designed programme that addresses a critical and evolving need in Irish society: the empowerment of adult learners and the development of community and social enterprise leadership capacity at local and national levels.

The Level 7 Bachelor of Arts offered by TUS and EQUAL Ireland is not just a qualification – it is a catalyst for personal transformation, community empowerment, and social innovation. Its delivery model, content, and values make it uniquely suited to meeting the evolving educational, social, and economic needs of 21st-century Ireland.

 

The programme is built around three core themes:

  • Social
  • Community
  • Business

The programme aims to:

  • Meet the Needs of Non-Traditional and Adult Learners
  • Enhance Community Capacity and Social Enterprise
  • Deliver Academic and Practical Relevance
  • Align with National and EU Priorities

The programme consist of 7 Modules:

  • Applied Community Development – 10 Credits
  • Entrepreneurship for Social Enterprise – 10 Credits
  • Sociology, Social Change and Social Policy – 5 Credits
  • Professional Development for Community Leaders – 10 Credits
  • Community Education – 5 Credits
  • Legal Framework for Community Organisations – 5 Credits
  • Integrated Learning Project – 15 Credits

 

For further details on these modules click on the link below:

BA in Business, Social Enterprise and Community Development

Eligibility Criteria

To apply you must:

  1. Be a member of and be nominated by a Kilkenny PPN Member Organisation.If your group isn’t registered yet, please contact us.
  2. Genuinely have the time to be a PPN Champion
  3. Be over 18 years’ old
  4. Be a good communicator and abide by the PPN’s core values
  5. Have access to the internet/ computer
  6. Enthusiastic about Kilkenny PPN
  7. Voluntarily attend a whole day’s induction

An information session will take place on Wednesday 5th of November in the Berkeley Suite of the Pembroke Hotel at 7pm for all interested applicants. Attendance advised but not required. Applications open Wednesday 5th of November.

Successful applicants will attend a Kilkenny PPN Champions induction ran by the Kilkenny PPN Coordinator, receive support as and when you need it, and be part of a growing network of people supporting the PPN, including the Secretariat, Reps Network and overall Plenary.

Successful applicants will:

  1. Meet the minimum entry requirements and or have enough ‘Prior Learning’ to be accepted onto the programme (e.g. experience volunteering or business).
  2. Be able to provide evidence of sustained engagement in Active Citizenship and be willing to take on a role in their selected Municipal District that may include:
  • Facilitating the participation and representation of communities in a fair, equitable and transparent manner through the environmental, social inclusion, community and voluntary sectors on decision making bodies
  • Strengthening the capacity of communities and of the environmental, social inclusion, community and voluntary groups to contribute positively to the community in which they reside/participate, e.g. Promote networking and mentoring between groups to share best practice. Including the development and support of Activity/ Thematic Networks
  • Providing information relevant to the environmental, social inclusion, community and voluntary sector and acts as a hub around which information is distributed and received, e.g. Establish PPN as the recognised way of sharing information with the sector, and between member groups.

 

Application Process

1. Information Session:
Wednesday, 5th November 2025 at 7pm
Berkeley Suite, Pembroke Hotel (attendance encouraged but not required). Meet EQUAL Ireland and members of the PPN who have completed this degree for more information and to answer any questions you might have.

Click here register for the information session.

2. Applications Open

Wednesday, 5th November 2025 at 7pm

3. Application Deadline:
Monday, 1st December  2025 at 5pm

Benefits of Programme

This opportunity will benefit the successful applicants not only in academic terms but will enhance their personal, communication and organisational skills. It offers a unique opportunity to participate in a new government structure and fulfil a leadership role in their community.

Successful applicants will receive:

  • Funding of €2,000 (4/5 of overall cost) towards their degree from the Kilkenny PPN
  • Support from the PPN Development Officer
  • Networking opportunities with community and statutory organisations
  • A working knowledge of the PPN and Local Authority structures
  • Creditable work experience
  • Opportunities to take a lead role in community participation

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by the Kilkenny PPN and Equal Ireland selection panel. All applicants will be required to take part in a 1:1 Recognition of prior learning interview with Equal Ireland. This will determine the suitability of the candidate (note: volunteering experience is highly valued in this process).        EQUAL Ireland will make the final decision on the suitability of the applicant to obtain the qualification. Feedback on your application may be requested.

 

For Further Information

Contact Bortha – Kilkenny PPN

Email:

Phone: 056 7794255