Donegal’s voting platform helps citizens shape Letterkenny’s Market Square

Making public consultation easier

Donegal County Council used a digital voting platform to help residents have their say on the future of Market Square in Letterkenny.

The good practice, called the Voting Platform for Civic Engagement, was developed to support public participation in an important town centre regeneration project. Instead of relying only on traditional public meetings or physical consultation events, the Council created an online platform where people could view design options and vote for their preferred proposal.

Giving residents more flexibility

One of the main challenges was making it easier for people to take part. Public consultations can be difficult to attend if they are held at a fixed time or place. The digital platform allowed residents to take part when it suited them, using their own device.

The platform presented six shortlisted design concepts in one place. This helped people compare the options clearly and make an informed choice before casting their vote.

Combining digital and traditional outreach

The project used existing ESRI GIS technology and an online voting tool to create a simple and secure process. The system allowed anonymous voting and helped prevent multiple votes from the same person.

The digital platform was supported by a wider communication campaign, including social media, local press, QR codes and a physical shopfront display in Letterkenny town centre. This meant that people could still see the design concepts in a public space, while also having the option to vote online.

Strong public response

The response from the public was much higher than expected. A total of 3,295 votes were cast, from a town with a population of around 25,000 people.

This showed that digital tools can help increase civic participation, especially when the topic is relevant to people’s everyday lives. The platform gave decision-makers a clearer picture of public preferences and helped support a more transparent process.

A practical model for other towns

A key strength of this good practice is that it did not require a completely new system. Donegal County Council reused existing digital infrastructure and adapted it for civic engagement.

This makes the approach useful for other municipalities and regions, particularly those with limited resources. It shows how simple, well-promoted digital tools can support public consultation, improve transparency and make it easier for more people to take part in local decision-making.

Supporting more inclusive local development

The Letterkenny Market Square voting platform demonstrates how digital innovation can strengthen the link between citizens and local government.

By making consultation more accessible, visual and flexible, the initiative helped residents influence the future of an important public space in their town. It offers a practical example of how digital tools can support more open, inclusive and citizen-centred planning.

📰 Explore the full collection of INCLUDE Good Practices and discover more inspiring examples: https://www.interreg-npa.eu/projects/include/home/outputs-results/