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.
Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP)
What is SICAP?
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 is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF+ Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training Programme 2021 to 2027.
See also www.eufunds.ie
Programme Aim
The aim of SICAP is to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality in Ireland through supporting communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration.
Programme Goals
The programme has two goals that focus on supporting communities and individuals:
Goal 1: Contribute to building more sustainable, inclusive and empowered Communities.
Empower groups of individuals, local community groups, networks and social enterprises to address collective community needs.
Goal 2: Empower disadvantaged people to improve the quality of their lives.
Support disadvantaged individuals, children and families to progress their formal education and participate in lifelong learning, to progress into employment/ self-employment, and to improve their soft skills and wellbeing.
Delivery Structure
SICAP is managed locally by Waterford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) with support from Waterford City & County Council. Waterford LCDC is the key decision-maker in terms of annual planning, monitoring and oversight of SICAP services in County Waterford.
Programme Implementers (PIs) deliver SICAP at a local level as per their annual plan. They engage with the programme target groups and report to the LCDC on their progress. Waterford Area Partnership (WAP) is the current PI for SICAP services across County Waterford.
Pobal acts as the agent of the Department of Rural and Community Development with respect to national management and oversight of the programme. More information about SICAP can be found on the Pobal website here.
Waterford Area Partnership SICAP Case Study 2024: The People’s Transition – Larchville & Lisduggan
This video details the collaborative process between Waterford Area Partnership, the Thinktank for Action on Social Change (TASC) and the residents groups of Larchville & Lisduggan on a community led climate action project.
