Local Development Social Inclusion Programme

1. Local Development Social Inclusion Programme  • Trento, Italy • 4th December 2006 Paper presented by Aileen Gilchrist Pobal Ireland Pobal is a not-for-profit company with charitable status that manages programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU.

2. MISSION Promote social inclusion, reconciliation & equality Integrated social & economic development Within communities.  A not-for-profit company /charitable status Manage 17 programmes on behalf of the Irish Government & EU/7 Dept  We support partnership approaches to decision-making Engage communities in the development process at local level

3. POBAL • We promote co-ordination –communities/State agencies/ other stakeholders. • Encourage piloting of new initiatives. • Committed to contributing to policy development through the lessons learnt / programmes we manage. • The Board is appointed by the Government of Ireland following consideration of proposals received from stakeholders of the Company & National Social Partners.

4. Economic & Social Context • Rapid economic growth /low unemployment. • Emerged as one of Europe’s wealthiest countries. • Not all have benefited proportionately in terms of income, status or access to basic services

5. Economic & Social Context • Poverty & social exclusion/social groups & areas of the country. • Agriculture is declining/out-migration & poor transport and services infrastructure. • Low-income groups rented accommodation in inner cities, suburbs & towns, with inadequate local services.

6. Economic & Social Context • Balanced regional development/challenge. • Women’s participation in the workforce/ growen/ still low. • Increasing workforce participation has raised pressures relating to work-life balance and care for older people. • Accessible and affordable childcare.

7. Economic & Social Context • Invest in knowledge-based skills. • Challenge/reducing educational under-achievement & early school leaving, & in widening access to higher &further Ed & Train . • Skills shortages/ people moving into Ireland from other countries/ now a country of immigration/ cultural & ethnic diversity. • New concerns /inequalities & social exclusion.

8. PROGRAMMES • Local Development Social Inclusion Programme €48.8m • Peace II • Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme • Dormant Accounts €60m • Rapid • Millenium Partnership Fund €2m • Equality for Women €7m • Rural Social Scheme • Rural Transport Initiative € 9m 2007

9. PROGRAMMES • Interreg P1M2 /Community CCTV • Equality for Women Measure • Enhancing Disabilities Service Project • Integration Fund for Legally Resident Immigrants €3m • Community Services Programme/Social Ec • Grants for Locally Based Community & Voluntary Groups

10. Core Activities • Evaluate Proposal & plans • Allocate funding • Monitor Performance & Expenditure • Assist & Support Implementation at Local Level • Support Analysis & Exchange of Experience • Identify & Disseminate Good Practice • Encourage Integration at Local Level of Mainstream Programmes & Policies-add value • Inform & Influence Policy at Local, National & EU level

11. What is Social Exclusion ? • Multiple levels of Disadvantage • Marginalised • Unemployment • Living in Poverty/Low income • Limited Social Network • Removed from any Decision Making • Quality of Life National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion

12. AIM • To Counter Disadvantage • To Promote Equality, Social & Economic Inclusion • Support for Partnerships & Community Gps • Partnership Approach to Tackling Local Issues • Basis of Comprehensive, Integrated, Local Development Plans • Designed to Counter Social Exclusion • Equitably Target the Most DisadvantagedIndividuals & Groups Within TheirAreas

13. Evolution of Partnerships

14. Principles • Targeting • Promoting Equality • Community Development Approaches & Principles • Partnership • Integrated, multi-sectoral responses • Mechanisms to mainstream lessons and contribute to policy

15. TARGET GROUPS

18. FUNDED GROUPS • 38 Partnerships /18 rural • 32 Community Partnerships/25 rural • Companies • Structure • Strategic Plan 2000-2006 • Services for the Unemployed • Community Development • Community Based Youth Initiative

19. Services for the Unemployed • To improve the Options within the Labour Market for LTU/Most Distant • To Support Access to Suitable Gainful Sustainable Employment & Self Employment • To Support the Development of an Enteprise Culture/Community Enterprise/Social economy • To Add Value to Mainstream Policies and Programmes

20. Practical Supports • Information and Guidance • Mediation/Job Placement/Follow Up • Enterprise-Business Planning/Access to Loans & Grants / Bookkeeping • Education and Training • Social Economy • Networks

21. Community Development • To Enhance The Capacity of Disadvanategd Communities to Particpate in Local Development. • To Provide Support for Small scale Improvements to the Local Environment & Community Infrastructure. • To Add value to the Effective Delivery of Mainstream Policies and Programmes.

22. Community Based Youth Initiatives • To enhance the social & personal development of young people ESL/at risk ESL/underachieving. • To alert young people to the dangers of substance abuse. • To expand the range of community based education & Youth Dev. Opportunities.

23. Community Based Youth Initiative • Formal School System/Out of School • Early Years Development/Pre School Age • Support for Parents • Homework Clubs • After School Activities • Access/Transistion Programmes 2nd/3rd Level • Training towards Employment/ Pre -Apprenticeship

24. Management • Monitoring Performance • Support • Information • Reporting • Research • Support Policy & Mainstreaming

25. EVALUATION OF PLANS • Profile of the area- socio economic/demographic. • Quality of the Plan. • Specific Targeting of the Strategy & Actions – places/ groups most disadvantaged. • Process of Preparation & Consultation. • Capacity of the Group to Implement the Plan & Achieve its Objectives:- financial controls practices; ability to set targets and monitor performance; Board’s structures to enhance participation; Evidence of linkage with state organisations and other programmes; Value for money; • Performance to date.

26. Achievements Quantitative Results 2000 – 2005. • 101,965individuals support inder Services for the unemployed. • 28,130marginalized people were placed in employment. • 12,188 established their own business. • 55,051adults participated in education and training. • 257,345 young people participated in educational initiatives. • 5,589 community based groups meeting the needs of the poorest people were supported. • 1,267 Environmental projects were supported.

27. Benefits Of Partnership • Targets areas of most disadvantage; • It identifies & focuses on the individuals & groups most excluded and most at risk of exclusion. • Accurate profile of the area & it’s needs & a strategic approach to the resolution of those needs; • Collective action at the local level in support of activities, which benefit the local area & population; • Encourages the inclusion & participation of all groups/local areas; • Generates local involvement, ownership & use of local resources; • Encourages the identification of new opportunities for economic activity; • Through the allocation of funds for the implementation of Strategic Plans it adds value or complements existing services, it puts in place additional support services & tailors innovative projects to meet specific identified needs.

28. Future Post 2006 • NATIONAL COVERAGE • NEW NDP GUIDELINES • SUCCESSOR PROGRAMME • COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH PARTNERSHIPS