Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme 2018-2022

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Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme 2018-2022

This programme is funded by:

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.
SICAP is administered by Pobal and funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development, it also receives funding from the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.
 
SICAP addresses high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches. It supports disadvantaged communities and individuals including unemployed people, people living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income, members of the Traveller and Roma community and other disadvantaged groups.

Social Inclusion

Social Inclusion is a process which ensures that those at risk of poverty and social exclusion gain the opportunities and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social, political and cultural life and to enjoy a standard of living that is considered normal in the society in which they live. It ensures that they have a greater participation in decision making which affects their lives and access to their fundamental rights. Social inclusion works for a fairer future that benefits everyone. SICAP supports and promotes social inclusion and inclusive development.

Programme Aim

The aim of SICAP is to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality in Ireland through supporting communities and individuals using development approaches, engagement and collaboration.

Delivery Structure

SICAP is managed in County Louth by the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and programme actions are delivered by Louth Local Development.

Goal 1

Supporting Communities

To support communities and target groups to engage with relevant stakeholders in identifying and addressing social exclusion and equality issues, developing the capacity of Local Community Groups and creating more sustainable communities.

Goal 1 Summary

Work under Goal 1 is designed to support collective community engagement and the development of sustainable, stronger communities. It aims to empower communities to play a greater role in addressing social inclusion and equality issues with communities and target groups using community development, bottom-up approaches. This is done through providing direct supports to local communities and developing the capacity of Local Community Groups, which represent or work within disadvantaged communities and target groups. This is to ensure that they can better engage with other stakeholders, actively improve the lives of people in their communities, and address the social exclusion issues that affect them.

What is Social Enterprise?

Social enterprise is an enterprise:

    • That trades for a social/societal purpose
    • Where at least part of its income is earned from its trading activity
    • Is separate from government: and
    • Where the surplus is primarily re-invested in the social objective

Social Enterprise Activities and Supports

Louth Local Development can support social enterprises to increase their capacity and assist them in linking with SICAP target groups through services or by providing training, volunteering and employment opportunities. The types of activities that could be undertaken with social enterprises include providing training/supports to:

  • Increase the level and /or type of services delivered to SICAP target groups;
  • Increase the sustainability of the enterprise and their ability to contribute to the social and economic development of disadvantaged areas;
  • Develop or explore developing new social enterprises.
Supporting Back to Work Enterprise
 
In partnership with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Louth Local Development support individuals who are unemployed and are looking to start their own business. We provide a range of supports including:
 
  • Business mentoring
  • Small grants
  • Training
  • Form filling 
 
 

Goal 2

To support disadvantaged individuals to improve the quality of their lives through the provision of lifelong learning and labour market supports. The primary beneficiaries of Goal 2 are disadvantaged individuals aged 15 years upwards, children and families.

Goal Summary

Work under this Goal is focused on supporting the individual to support people who have been identified as in need of one-to-one, intensive support. This can be achieved through lifelong learning, providing labour market supports to improve work readiness, or engaging with employers to ensure better quality jobs. It can also mean working with people in broader, more holistic ways so they can improve their quality of life and wellbeing. Engagement can be carried out on a one-to-one basis or using group-based work with individuals and should be person-centered. Broadly speaking, it can be categorised as providing help in three ways:

  • Lifelong learning supports
  • Employment supports
  • Personal development supports

For more info on the SICAP Programme please contact
Maeve Harkin, Social Inclusion Manager.

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