€5.2m is being invested in the work of community organisations and public sector agencies in tackling poverty and social exclusion across Clare over the next five years.
The Clare Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), a sub-committee of Clare County Council, signed a contract with Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) to deliver the next Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP).
SICAP 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. The Programme aims to address high and persistent levels of deprivation, unemployment and disengaged communities and people, through targeted and innovative locally-led approaches. It targets supports at those who are disadvantaged in Irish society and less likely to use mainstream services.
Andrew Dundas, who recently succeeded Councillor Bill Chambers as Chairperson of the Clare Local Community Development Committee, congratulated CLDC on securing the contract and complemented the quality of the submission.
Speaking at the contract signing, Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said, “This is one of the many Programmes that are successfully delivering on the objectives of the six year statutory Local Economic and Community Plan. It targets resources to those most in need and is an important enabler of social inclusion, community engagement and personal development.”
SICAP is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with co-financing from the European Social Fund in Ireland and is managed locally by Clare LCDC with support from Clare County Council.