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 through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.  This programme is administered by Pobal.  

For more information at a national level see:

https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/social-inclusion-and-community-activation-programme-sicap-2024-2028/

SICAP Explained:

SICAP addresses high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches. It supports disadvantaged communities and individuals including unemployed people, people living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income, members of the Traveller and Roma community and other disadvantaged groups.

The programme is managed at a local level by 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from local authorities, and actions are delivered by Local Development Companies (LDCs).  

SICAP in Wicklow:

In Co. Wicklow, these bodies are represented by the Wicklow LCDC, Wicklow County Council and the two Local Development Companies of Bray Area Partnership and Co. Wicklow Partnership.

The LDCs work with marginalised communities and service providers using a community development approach to improve people’s lives. For example, helping people to find work or to upskill, providing CV training or a personal development course, helping them onto a work placement programme such as CE or Tύs.

You can find out more about SICAP by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4dzyQriKGs&t=6s

SICAP target groups:

· People impacted by educational disadvantage

· People living in disadvantaged communities

· 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

Following a competitive tendering process, Wicklow LCDC contracted the following two organisations to implement the programme from 2024-2028. These are referred to as Local Development Companies (LDCs):

· Bray Area Partnership operates the programme in the Bray & Greystones Municipal District Areas (referred to as Lot 15-1)

See www.brayareapartnership.ie for more information

·   County Wicklow Partnership operates the programme in the Wicklow, Arklow & Baltinglass Municipal District Areas (referred to as Lot 15-2)

    See www.countywicklowpartnership.ie for more information