Building Community Power Through Sport: The Promise of Community Wealth Building
Seán McCabe is the Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability at Bohemian Football Club (Bohemians FC) in Dublin, Ireland. He works at the intersection of football, community development, and climate action, focusing on how clubs can act as catalysts for Community Wealth Building (CWB) and broader social change.
In his talk, he will explore how football clubs can serve as anchors for Community Wealth Building (CWB), an approach that redistributes wealth and power to local communities while supporting a just transition—tackling climate change alongside inequality and community resilience. Drawing on Bohemian FC and the SPARK Initiative in Ireland, he will argue that CWB is not about quick wins but about building durable foundations through governance, culture, and collective ownership. Using Bohemians as a case study, he will highlight efforts to develop cooperative economic activity in areas such as food, renewable energy, and retrofitting. He will also reflect on structural barriers in Ireland and outline practical steps to better support community-based enterprises.
Seán McCabe is Project Lead of The Bohemian Cooperatives and brings over 20 years of experience in climate justice, policy and community-led development. He leads climate justice and sustainability at Bohemian Football Club and is the author of 'The People’s Transition', developed through his work with TASC/FEPS. His background includes Mary Robinson – Climate Justice, the Children’s Environmental Rights Initiative, the UNFCCC, UNICEF and Renaissance Reinsurance.
Arrivals from 3.45pm for a 4pm start. After the talk finishes at 5pm, there will be further time for informal socialising.
Contact and booking details
- Name
- Jenny Amann
- Email address
- j.amann@lboro.ac.uk
- Cost
- Free