Community Services Programme

The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. The CSP aims to tackle disadvantage by providing a co-funding contribution towards the cost of employing a manager and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.

Three sub-programmes are supported under the programme:

Sub-Programme 1: Spaces and Services

The main aim of this sub-programme is to support organisations that are addressing existing or emerging local need (responsive), increasing inclusiveness and alleviating disadvantage by:

• Maximising the utilisation of community assets
• Provision of local services
• Or both of the above

Sub-Programme 2: Supporting Individuals

The main aim of this sub-programme is to support organisations with a focus on the provision of “employment” for specific target groups of the Programme or where the level of long-term unemployment is high in a specific local area. In this sub-programme there will be an expectation that organisations will focus on the personal progress for individuals.

• Opportunities for progression within or outside the organisation
• Provision of skills or training
• Linkages with other relevant local supports
• Facilitating training and supports with employment

Sub-Programme 3: Innovation and Growth

The aims of this sub-programme are to:

• Support the scaling up of specific types of services and activities of social enterprises i.e. accelerate their growth.
• Promote and encourage social enterprises to become self-sustainable.
• Enable innovation i.e. new solutions to local problems; address climate change and improve the circular and green economy.

The CSP is currently not open for new applicants. While there are no further calls for proposals anticipated at this time, the Department can hold contact details on file should the programme open for new applicants in the near future. Contact details for a nominated person can be provided to the email address csp@drcd.gov.ie

The Pobal website provides more information on the Community Services Programme. You can access the Pobal website here.

In March 2023 (read Press Release here), eligible organisations were invited to submit a Concept Note to Pobal under two strands of a new call for CSP Applications 2023.

• Strand 1:  Organisations operating in the circular economy owned and led by Traveller organisations or provide employment primarily to members of the Traveller community.  14 Concept Notes were received under Strand 1.
• Strand 2: General community services that demonstrate they meet the strategic objectives and the principles of CSP. 183 Concept Notes were received under Strand 2.

Funding of €1 million was made available under this call, in order to provide new organisations with an opportunity to access support to employ additional staff in line with the programme’s re-defined sub-programmes and new vision. The purpose of this funding is to support social enterprises and community and voluntary organisations.

Result of the 2023 call for applications

As a result of this Open Call 14 new applicants were approved entry to the Community Services Programme (read Press Release here), supporting 13 new manager positions and 23 additional full time equivalent positions, valued at approximately €1 million. There are a number of organisations in the pipeline for support, however, any additional new entrants will be considered in light of available resources.

Additional funding Call 2023 for existing CSP supported Organisations

An application window for funding for additional staff posts to existing CSP funded organisations was opened in September 2023. The aim of this call was to support existing CSP services with additional funded posts to enable expansion and growth within these hugely important social enterprises and community organisations.

Pobal, who manage and administer the programme on behalf of the Department, received a huge volume of applications from CSP supported organisations under the call for applications for additional funding.

As a result of this Call for Additional CSP Funding Minister Joe O'Brien announced in June 2024 (read Press Release here) that 32 CSP supported organisations would benefit from approximately €1 million, supporting 42 additional positions under the Community Services Programme.

The Department and Pobal are restructuring the CSP, in consultation with stakeholders, following an independent review by Indecon International Economic Consultants. The redesigned programme was introduced from January 2023 with a new funding rate allocation model, to replace the previous flat rate model.

Information on funding allocated under the programme can be found here: <strong>Community Services Programme - Funding Allocations</strong>

Community Services Programme

Address: Libraries Development and Community Policy Unit, Department of Rural and Community Development Government Offices, Ballina, Co Mayo, F26 E8N6

Email: csp@drcd.gov.ie

Phone number: +353 1 7736934