Minister Joe O’Brien Extends the Community Development Pilot Programme

Minister Joe O’Brien extends the Community Development Pilot Programme

  • Extension of two years approved for original seven projects

Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development has today (Sunday 3rd, November 2024) announced the extension of the Community Development Pilot Programme for the original seven projects.

The Community Development Pilot Programme aims to trial community led interventions that address poverty, social exclusion and inequality and promote human rights.

The extension of the programme applies to:

  • Clare Traveller CDP
  • Cultúr Migrant CDP
  • Donegal Intercultural Platform
  • Inner City Organisations Network (ICON)
  • Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILM/VOICE)
  • Kilkenny Traveller Community Movement (KTCM)
  • Longford Roma and New Communities.

The grant aid will be €125,000 per project, €875,000 per annum for the duration of the extension.

The programme was originally launched on 4th March 2021 and these seven projects were subsequently allocated €1m funding for the programme.

The extension of the Programme for these seven projects will allow them to continue to facilitate collaborative relationships between marginalised groups and main stream services.

Speaking today, Minister O’Brien said:

I am delighted to be in a position to extend the Community Development Pilot Programme for the original seven projects. The work they have undertaken over the last three years has had a significant impact within the communities they serve.

I was delighted to attend a showcase in Athlone in September this year which highlighted some of the fantastic work being carried out under the Community Development Programme.

The programme facilitates a community-led approach to addressing significant social challenges. It is important to tailor interventions to the specific context and involve the affected communities in the decision making processes. This is what the Community Development Programme is all about.”

The Minister concluded:

  • Ballinameela Community Centre CLG, Co. Waterford - €23,052 for boiler upgrade, lighting and internal painting
  • Trim Family Resource Centre CLG, Co. Meath – €20,360 for accessibility improvements, window replacements and facility enhancements.
  • Portarlington Community Centre CLG, Co. Laois - €25,000 for facility enhancement works.
  • Tulsk Action Group CLG, Co. Roscommon - €21,026 for installation of solar panels to improve the energy efficiency.
  • Dunkineely Community Centre Association, Co. Donegal - €24,700 to fund a disabled access toilet and refurbishment of existing toilets.
  • Woodview Community Resource Centre CLG, Co. Cork - €23,750 to fund window replacements, new fire exit door and heating upgrades in the hall.

I am confident that this extension will build on and enhance the work already done and provide an opportunity for further positive change within these communities.

Community Development Pilot Programme (CDP)

The Community Development Pilot Programme was launched on 4th March 2021 and seven projects were successful. To date, funding of €125,000 has been allocated to each of the 7 CDPs for Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3.

Additional funding was made available in 2023 for the expansion of the programme. Following a closed call for applications in 2023, three projects AMAL Women Ireland, AMACH! LGBTI Galway and Limerick Traveller Network (LTN)/ Exchange House Ireland (EHI) were approved under the programme for 3 years.

In October 2024 the Programme was extended for a further 2 years for the original 7 projects up to 2026.

Clare Traveller CDP

Aim to build the capacity and empowerment of Travellers in County Clare to participate and be central in designing a response to their key needs and issues to create a more equal society and to improve their quality of life.

Aim to widen participation, develop resilience and promote empowerment and self-determination of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and Travellers and to develop the capacity of local migrant groups to engage with decision makers and NGOs in the community.

Aim to tackle racism and promote inter-culturalism, human rights, equality and inclusion across county Donegal, using a community development approach, in solidarity with national and local organisations and local community and voluntary structures.

Aim to bring people with disabilities together in collective spaces. It is based on digital networking, peer mentoring support and activism with disabled people in the south of Ireland.

Aim to focus on women and the right to adequate housing in the private rented sector in Dublin’s north east inner city. This includes women’s pathways into and out of homelessness, interactions with housing services, and access to affordable and adequate housing standards, including the private market.

Aim to develop an effective community development response and process by the Traveller community of Kilkenny to address the social and economic factors which affect Travellers particularly in areas such as housing, education/employment, policing, discrimination, health/mental health, and general welfare.

Aim to develop of an autonomous community development project managed and run by members of Roma and new communities, so they can engage directly with decision making structures and work in partnership with service providers and other agencies.

Aim to provide culturally specific services for women and children from Muslim and non-Muslim backgrounds in Ireland. It is an organisation where all women, particularly Muslim women, can access the services they need and fully participate in society, free from the threat of violence, from poverty, racism, discrimination and stigma.

aims to reflect equally the diversity within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by encouraging positive participation from the community. They actively advocate to achieve a solid and safe support structure for the LGBTI+ community in Galway. They also aim to provide awareness, educational and training events and workshops, and endeavour to support and promote a socially inclusive society.

Aim to give Travellers in Limerick a voice, build up Travellers capacity to advocate and work towards improving; accommodation, education, mental health and discrimination and to build up working relations with existing structures, services and agencies.

Exchange House Ireland (EHI), which is a national organisation will act as a host for this project.

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