Social Inclusion
The Local Community Development Programme is managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. It forms part of the National Development Plan 2007-2013. The LCDP aims to counter disadvantage and to promote social inclusion. It does so through funding and supporting companies including Avondhu Blackwater Partnership following the development of local plans which respond to the needs of those experiencing social exclusion. In line with the programme guidelines, these plans target:
- The most disadvantaged individuals, e.g. individuals who are very distant from the labour market or who cannot access mainstream supports.
- The most disadvantaged areas, such as districts with high levels of deprivation in both urban and rural areas.
- The most disadvantaged groups – socio-economic groups that experience high rates of social exclusion (e.g. Travellers, lone parents, ex-prisoners).
Avondhu Blackwater Partnership currently has three target areas for the delivery of theLocal Community Development Programmee and these include:
1. Community Development
2. Services to the Unemployed
3. Community Youth Initiatives
Principles
The following principles are central to the way in which the programme is rolled out:
- Targeting - focusing on the greatest disadvantage
- Flexibility at local level - allowing local solutions to local needs
- Community development - empowering socially excluded groups
- A strategic, catalytic role - using limited resources to lever wider change
- Partnership - collaborative approaches
- An integrated, multi-sectoral approach - holistic responses
- Equality, respect for diversity, and the recognition of human dignity
Linkages and Complementarity
Throughout all actions there is a commitment to the development of linkages and networks with other agencies and organisations to ensure that the work of the programme is dynamic and effective. The programme aims to complement and add value to the services and supports of other mainstream organisations. In doing so, it levers funding from national and EU sources which otherwise might not be available to disadvantaged communities.
For further information on the programme, guidelines etc go to publications.
