Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024 – 2028 - North Tipperary Development Company (2024)

_

1. What is SICAP?

2. SICAP Goals

3. NTDC SICAP Supports

4. SICAP Social Enterprise Supports

5. Contact

6. Case Studies

7. Vacancies

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the European Union through the
European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills, and Training (EIST) Programme 2021-2027

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024-2028 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 2024-2028 is the successor programme to SICAP 2018-2023, which was the successor programme to SICAP 2015-2017.

SICAP is a targeted, holistic programme, for those who are most disadvantaged and less likely to access mainstream services, which provides supports directly to beneficiaries and links them into existing services. Programme Implementers/ Development Workers (PIs) engage with marginalised communities and service providers using a community development approach to address issues relating to social exclusion and inequality. SICAP also prioritises local engagement and partnerships, between SICAP Programme Implementers, disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.

SICAP GOALS

SICAP a variety of different and important features that provides supports to respond to individual and community needs, aiming to ensure that beneficiaries receive quality, tailored supports, while also allowing flexibility to adapt actions to local need. It enables bottom-up approaches within the framework of a national programme which provides targets, performance indicators and requirements.

GOAL ONE – Supporting Communities & Target Groups

This goal supports 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. The primary beneficiaries of Goal 1 are LCGs and social enterprises that have a remit in working with or providing services to SICAP target groups. Goal 1 includes providing supports for social enterprises.

GOAL TWO – Supporting Individuals

This goal supports disadvantaged individuals in improving 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 and children and families.

NTDC SICAP SUPPORTS

You are eligible to avail of SICAP supports if you:

People living in disadvantaged communities
People impacted by educational disadvantage
People living in jobless households or households where the primary income source is low-paid and/or precarious

People who are long-term unemployed
People with a criminal history
Refugees
International Protection Applicants
Disabled People/People with Disabilities
Heads of One-parent Families
Travellers
Roma
Island residents

NTDC offer a wide range of free supports to eligible persons, including workshops, courses and community training, which you can view here. If you are interested in signing up for one of our workshops or just looking to enquire about how we can support you, please click here.

The supports we offer are based on the following aims and actions–

Empowering Communities & Participation

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, inclusive and empowered communities.

Collective Action

This action focuses on SICAP team’s participating in collaborative networks to address key thematic areas, including older people & isolation, refugee and migrant rights and integration, climate action and the just transition, LGBTQI+, youth & gender.

Social Enterprise

SICAP’s Social Enterprise Action aims to support local communities to succeed by addressing local needs, creating employment/work experience opportunities and economic activity while addressing the Local Priority Target Groups (LPTG’s) and SICAP target group priorities.

Social Justice & Sustainable Development

This action addresses the pressing issues of social justice and sustainable development within our community. The difficult fabric of challenges identified will be met with a comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering positive change and inclusivity. By prioritising the needs of our diverse population, particularly the most vulnerable segments, we seek to create a more equitable and prosperous environment.

Bringing Learning to Life

This Action will provide community based formal and informal education, identified as a critical access point for new communities, older persons and disadvantaged communities experiencing social isolation, economic disadvantage, long term unemployed and low levels of educational attainment. A range of both accredited and non-accredited courses have been identified to foster the empowerment of the target groups to develop their confidence, improve their sense of belonging and enhance their skills and awareness of opportunities.

Child & Youth Development

This Action promotes social skills and abilities, strengthen decision making and independence, promote personal development and resilience and cultivate community connection and belonging for child/youth development.

Work Readiness and Career Supports

This action targets specific local priority target groups, including people who are long-term unemployed in disadvantaged communities and the Traveller community and target young adults who have completed the transition to adulthood supports and are ready to be supported to employment. The goal is to provide tailored employment and career support to address the target individuals’ challenges and personal circ*mstances. The action complements mainstream employment services while addressing the unique needs of vulnerable SICAP target groups. The Career Guidance/life coach methodology offers a personalised approach to help clients set goals and overcome barriers to employment.

Enterprise Supports for Jobseekers

This action assists SICAP eligible individuals in starting their own businesses. This action operates in collaboration with and takes referrals from local statutory services, including DSP, Employability, and the Local Enterprise Office. Businesses established through this action must be based in North Tipperary. This initiative serves as a primary support mechanism for people who are unemployed in the region aiming to establish businesses. The adaptable nature of self-employment has proven beneficial for those disengaged from the labour market, offering an alternative when full-time employment is not feasible.

English as a second Language Provision

This action provides complementary comprehensive English as a Second Language (ESL) support to refugees and individuals seeking international protection. It is designed to facilitate language acquisition, communication skills, and integration within the local community.

Human Rights, Equality & Anti-Discrimination

This action supports and advocates for individuals from the SICAP target groups experiencing discrimination. Refugees, International protection applicants, Roma, traveller, people with a criminal history, head of one parent families, and people with disabilities are the target of this work.

SICAP Contact Information

We have offices based in Nenagh, Thurles and Roscrea and our SICAP team are happy to help you with any queries you may have.

NTDC Nenagh | 067 56 676

Caroline Shanahan | 087 737 8724 | cshanahan@ntdc.ie
Joanne Mulqueen | 087 369 7922 | jmulqueen@ntdc.ie
Michael Ryan | 087 222 6298 | mryan@ntdc.ie
Inna Varytska | 087 253 2190 | ivarytska@ntdc.ie
Rachel O’Malley |087 0369807 | romalley@ntdc.ie
Jessica Masira | |jmasira@ntdc.ie

NTDC Thurles | 0504 90 289

Martina Phelan | 085 213 6716 | mphelan@ntdc.ie
Kevin Burrows | 087 335 0790 | kburrows@ntdc.ie

NTDC Roscrea | 0505 24 166

Margo O’Donnell Roche | 087 718 0382 | modonnellroche@ntdc.ie
Mark O’ Dwyer | 087 9280755 | odwyer@ntdc.ie