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

We assist collective community engagement and the development of strong, sustainable communities. This is achieved by providing direct supports to local community groups and supporting their capacity to represent the communities they serve and engage with stakeholders more effectively to address the social exclusion issues that affect their community.

Supports can be provided to any social enterprise where the work carried out is in line with SICAP objectives and benefits SICAP target groups. SICAP can support social enterprises to increase their capacity and assist them to engage with SICAP target groups.

Terms and Conditions

As Programme Implementer, STDC can allocate grants of up to XXXX to LCGs each year. One grant per year can be issued. For LCGs to be considered for a SICAP grant the following rules/criteria apply:

• The purpose of the Grant and its outcomes must be aligned with SICAP programme objectives.
• STDC will develop an LCG Support Plan for each LCG which will detail the outcomes that they wish to achieve and the actions SICAP will support them progress. As part of the Support Plan three actions will be identified that the LCG will focus on. These actions will identify what SICAP (and other) resources are required to implement the actions e.g. if a grant is required.
• Grants are ‘of last resort’- they should not duplicate any other sources of funding for the same costs e.g. Local Authority, RDP, Community Facilities etc.
• Supporting documentation will be provided to ensure that the money was spent for the purpose intended e.g. summary/evaluation report and evidence the expense was incurred. This report must be signed off by the chairperson of the LCG.

This support is monitored and evaluated by POBAL who administer an annual survey to those LCGs who have received SICAP supports, provide for qualitative data on the impact of SICAP support grant.