Supporting Communities

RTÉ is committed to supporting local communities in sharing their stories, developing their creativity and hearing their voices.

1. What in the World ?

The RTÉ television series What in the World? has filmed in over 50 countries across the globe. To mark that milestone, as well as almost two decades on the air, RTÉ and Irish Aid commissioned a brand-new travelling exhibition, 50 Countries, 50 Stories. It brought a wide range of stories together for the first time, from tales of hope and inspiration to stories of oppression and suppression. The exhibition examined lives lived amid serious and persistent poverty, and a wide range of complex social and political situations across the developing world.

2. Getting creative

In late 2020, RTÉ Supporting the Arts and Creative Ireland partnered to support 15 arts, cultural and community organisations, producing 24 television commercials and short films in support of the beleaguered arts sector. By year end the pieces has received over 1,000,000 views across RTÉ’s social media channels. In addition, RTÉ Supporting the Arts supported over 100 local community events, most of which went virtual in 2020.

3. Gaillimh abú

In 2018, RTÉ announced a major media partnership with Galway 2020, supporting events across all platforms and working alongside sister service TG4. In 2020 RTÉ produced and aired a wide-ranging consumer campaign, trailing the revival of Galway 2020 through the autumn as it navigated lockdown to present a series of safe and virtual activities.

4. Country life

The National Ploughing Championships were cancelled in 2020, but RTÉ travelled to the ploughing site in Carlow to produce a special one-off RTÉ Player original. Plough on with Nuala Carey talked to organisers and locals about the impact of the cancellation and hopes for the future.

5. Fleadhed out

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2020 was also cancelled; however, RTÉ, working closely with event organiser Comhaltas, launched the RTÉ Virtual Fleadh. Thousands of musicians and performers brought the spirit of the Fleadh to life online.

6. (Still) blooming amazing

As RTÉ could not return to Dublin’s Phoenix Park over the 2020 June Bank Holiday Weekend, RTÉ and Bord Bia co-created the virtual #BloomWithRTE and #BloomAtHome initiatives. Alongside the #RTEVirtualParade on St Patrick’s Day, these were among the biggest consumer social activations of the year.