New Council project to target the most disadvantaged individuals and communities across Kildare

PICTURED ABOVE: Back Row from Left to Right - Breda Stewart County Kildare LEADER Partnership, Karl Duffy County Kildare LEADER Partnership, Marian Higgins LCDC Chief Officer & Director of Services, Kildare County Council;

Front Row: Pat Leogue County Kildare LEADER Partnership, Sonya Kavanagh Chief Executive, Kildare County Council;

Kildare County Council has appointed County Kildare LEADER Partnership (CKLP) the contract to implement the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) following an open procurement process.

SICAP targets the most disadvantaged individuals and communities across the county.  It provides support directly to communities and individuals and links the most excluded into existing services.  The SICAP Programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with co-funding from the European Social Fund Plus with a budget in Kildare of at least €8 million over the next five years. Kildare LCDC will oversee the implementation of SICAP across the lifetime of the Programme.

CKLP will also implement the EU-funded Rural Development LEADER Programme, following the recent approval of the Kildare LEADER Local Development Strategy by the Department of Rural and Community Development.  The Kildare LEADER plan focuses on promoting growth economically and socially in rural Kildare across five areas: 
building social capital, social infrastructure, social innovation, social cohesion, and sustainable climate resilience through grant aid.
 
Funding of €5.44 million has been allocated to Kildare over the lifetime of the Programme. Details on the process and how to apply for and access LEADER grant aid is currently being finalised by the Department.

Kildare LCDC will oversee the implementation of this programme.

CKLP have significant experience of delivering social inclusion and rural development programmes over many years across Kildare. This is the third SICAP and second LEADER programme overseen by Kildare LCDC.

Chief Executive of Kildare County Council, Sonya Kavanagh said “Kildare County Council and Kildare LCDC enjoy an excellent working relationship with County Kildare LEADER Partnership CLG and their capacity to deliver these ambitious programmes is evident in their stellar record of local service delivery.    We look forward to further collaboration between Kildare County Council, Kildare LCDC and County Kildare LEADER Partnership over the lifetime of these significant programmes.”

Following the signing of both contracts, Chairperson of Kildare LCDC, Councillor Suzanne Doyle, said she welcomed the appointment of County Kildare LEADER Partnership as the implementing partner to deliver both of these ambitious programmes in Kildare.  She added that she looks forward to working on a multi-stakeholder approach on both programmes to improve the lives in our communities and particularly those experiencing social exclusion.