Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP)

The primary aim of SICAP is to tackle poverty, social exclusion and long-term unemployment through local engagement and partnership between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations, public sector agencies and other stakeholders. Its vision is to improve the life chances and opportunities of those who are marginalised in society, living in poverty or in unemployment through community development approaches, targeted supports and interagency collaboration, where the values of equality and inclusion are promoted and human rights are respected.

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

Who funds SICAP?

SICAP is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with co-funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.

(The ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020 is co-financing SICAP in the years 2018-2020. PEIL’s priority areas for investment revolve around the activation of the unemployed, social and labour market inclusion, education and youth employment).

The SICAP Programme has two goals:

Goal 1: Supporting Communities - support communities and target groups to engage with relevant stakeholders in identifying and addressing social exclusion and equality issues, developing the capacity of Local Community Groups, and creating more sustainable communities.

Goal 2: Supporting Individuals - To support disadvantaged individuals to improve the quality of their lives through the provision of lifelong learning and labour market supports.

The two SICAP goals contain activities that are focused on the most disadvantaged groups and individuals in the county.

Following a procurement process Westmeath LCDC appointed Westmeath Community Development Ltd to implement the SICAP 2018 – 2022 programme in Westmeath. The contract for the SICAP programme will run until 31st Dec 2022 with an annual budget of the order of €750,000. The LCDC monitor and review the implementation of SICAP in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Further Information:

Further information on SICAP 

Department of Rural and Community Development

Left to right: (Back Row) Frank Murtagh, Assistant CEO Westmeath Community Development; Pat Gallagher, Chairman Westmeath Local Community Development Committee and Chief Executive Westmeath Co Council; Hugh O’Reilly, Chief Officer Westmeath Local Community Development Committee;  (Front Row) Joe Potter, Chief Executive Officer, Westmeath Community Development Ltd; Dermot Leavy, Chairman, Westmeath Community Development Ltd; Cllr John Shaw, Cathaoirleach Westmeath County Council; and Annette Barr Jordan, Administrative Officer Westmeath County Council.