A five-year programme designed to improve the life chances and opportunities of those marginalised in society, living in poverty or in unemployment, has had six contracts worth €11.5m approved.
A FIVE-year programme designed to improve the life chances and opportunities of those marginalised in society, living in poverty or in unemployment, has had six contracts worth €11.5m approved. SICAP (Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme) is a national programme funded by the Department of Rural & Community Development and overseen by POBAL.
The programme is managed locally by the three Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in north, south and West Cork, and delivered by seven Local Development Companies under contract, namely Avondhu/Blackwater Partnership CLG, SECAD Partnership CLG, Comhar na nOileán CTR, West Cork Development Partnership CLG, IRD Duhallow CLG and Ballyhoura Development CLG.
County Mayor Declan Hurley explained: ‘The aim of SICAP is to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality through local, regional and national engagement and collaboration.’
The new five-year SICAP Programme begins this month and among others targets: lone parents; the unemployed; travellers; people living in disadvantaged areas.
Cork County Council chief Tim Lucey praised the positive work that has been achieved over the past three years and on behalf of all three LCDCs said he looks forward to working and achieving even greater results under the new five year programme with all six partners.