Laois Community Forum was established in 2000 as  part of the process of setting up the County Development Board.

The Community and Voluntary Sector is one of the Social Partners within the structure of the Board, and two of the Community Forum Members sit on the Board. A democratically elected Community Forum of 18 members (who represent the 5 electoral areas within the county) operates at a county level. There are close to 500 Community & Voluntary groups registered to date with the Forum . 

Laois County Community Forum was established to promote the participation of the community and voluntary sector in local decision-making in Co. Laois.

In 2000 all community and voluntary groups in the county were asked to register with Laois County Community Forum and consulted on how to constitute the Forum and hold elections.  Eighteen members were elected to form an executive representing the five electoral areas in the county - Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Emo, Borris-in-Ossory and Luggacurran.

Groups are registered in two clusters:-
Cluster 1:-  Groups with a focus on economic / social / development and anti-disadvantage.
Cluster 2:-  Groups with a focus on cultural / sporting / recreational / residents associations.

Representation on other Bodies
Members of the Community Forum are affiliated to a wide range of groups and committees including the following:
Laois County Development Board
Strategic Policy Committees of Laois County Council
Joint Policing Committees
The Social Inclusion Measures Working Group
Laois County Childcare Committee
Laois Partnership
Laois Sports Partnership Ltd.
Laois Heritage Forum