Community Development

Strong community support creates communities that value the health and wellbeing of all.

In seeking to fulfil this vision, the Government commits itself to the following principles:

• strong community participation and leveraging the capacity within communities to make a difference, with community-led or community development approaches retained as integral features of local and community development
• a strong local government system securing and supporting individual and community engagement and participation in policy development, planning and delivery, and decision making processes in respect of local and community interventions and supports at a local level
• meaningful engagement with local communities, local development organisations and State bodies to ensure that the best outcome for the community is achieved
• robust local collaboration structures that encourage transparency, democratic legitimacy, accountability, participation and evidence-based decision making
• support for voluntary activity and active citizenship, underpinned by supporting the capacity of communities to pro-actively engage, as vital elements of flourishing communities
• economic development, training and education opportunities as key drivers in creating self-sufficient vibrant communities
• equality of opportunity and social inclusion, which prioritises the needs of communities experiencing social or economic disadvantage, including rural isolation

In order to create a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive society, communities need to be empowered to develop and sustain their own wellbeing.

The Framework Policy for Local Community Development is built around 5 core objectives:

• engaging with communities
• working with partners
• planning for local and community development
• delivery
• evaluating, monitoring, and reviewing the methods used

These will be implemented on a cross-government basis to create a collaborative approach to local and community development. The development and implementation of policies, programmes and other interventions will be carried out by central and local government in line with the core objectives.

This is all achieved through local development supports.

The Community Enhancement Programme(CEP) aims to make funding to communities in need more streamlined. Its mission is to provide funding to improve facilities available to communities.

The new Community Recognition Fund aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

It aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. The Fund is being delivered by local authorities.

Applications are now being sought from local authorities on the basis of engagement with local communities and clear targeting of proposed projects to areas with the highest level of need. Local authorities must submit their proposals to the Department by the 15th March.

The government seeks to provide a coherent policy framework to support the development of the social enterprise sector in Ireland. Promoting education and training programmes that will support economic stability is a key aim.

The Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) is a major source of funding for community initiatives and supports. These DAF funds will also be used to support Social Enterprise. A National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland is currently being drafted.

The Community Services Programme (CSP) provides local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model, providing a contribution towards the cost of staff in CSP organisations. It meets local service gaps and provides services and facilities that would not be available otherwise.

Public Libraries are a free, nationwide service for everyone. They deliver a national literacy and reading programme, Right to Read, and a national Work Matters programme for individuals and local enterprises. They also provide employment supports for locally-based entrepreneurs, start-ups and job seekers. You can access these services here.

A strong local government is a key to achieving thriving communities. Local governments facilitate engagement and public participation.

Giving citizens a greater say in local government decisions, that affect their own communities, is a function of Public Participation Networks (PPNs). PPNs aim to strengthen democracy by allowing diverse views and interests to be considered as part of the decision-making process.

Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) have been established on a statutory basis to bring a more co-ordinated approach to local and community development. LCDCs use the expertise and experience of public and private actors within the area to provide effective and efficient services, especially to those most in need of those services.

Local authorities cover local issues and regulations. Some of the issues local authorities handle include burial regulations and dog control.

See the full list of local authorities in Ireland here.

The government recognises that society becomes stronger through active citizenship and voluntary participation. Voluntary activity is an essential sign of a society where people are concerned for each other.

Voluntary activity is encouraged through:

• the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector (SSNO) is a key element of the State’s support for a strong and vibrant civil society and in improving outcomes for those most disadvantaged
• supporting Volunteering in Ireland as well as a number of national organisations such as Volunteer Ireland and Boardmatch
• a national strategy on volunteering that will build on and update the government’s White Paper Supporting Voluntary Activity (2000) and the subsequent Tipping the Balance (2002) report by the National Committee for Volunteering

However, it also recognises the worth of every type of volunteerism and voluntary activity, so it does not believe that it should seek to regulate or be involved with every type of voluntary activity.

Social inclusion is central to supporting communities and individuals. The government encourages communities and target groups to engage with relevant stakeholders in identifying and addressing social exclusion and equality issues.

This will develop the capacity of local community groups and support sustainable communities.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. It does this through local collaboration between the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority and the Local Development Companies (LDCs) who deliver the programme locally. The LDCs work with the most disadvantaged and the hardest to reach people in communities to help improve their life opportunities and access services such as personal development supports, life learning opportunities and to access employment.

Supporting the elderly is a major part of social inclusion. The objective of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities, so they can live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.

Winter readiness is a challenge for individuals and communities across Ireland each year. Be Winter Ready's mission is to make sure people are safe during the winter months. This involves winter preparations, first aid courses, and supports like the Senior Alerts Scheme and CLÁR.

The Peace IV Programme is a cross-border programme that supports peace and reconciliation and promotes social and economic stability in Northern Ireland and the Border regions of Ireland (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo). The Programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) on behalf of the Irish and UK Governments.