Local Development Social Inclusion Programme 

Pobal is a not-for-profit company with charitable status that manages programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU.

Trento, Italy

4th December 2006

Paper presented by Aileen Gilchrist Pobal Ireland

MISSIONPromote social inclusion, reconciliation & equality Integrated social & economic development

Within communities.  A not-for-profit company /charitable status Manage 17 programmes on behalf of the Irish Government & EU/7 Dept We support partnership approaches to decision-making

Engage communities in the development process at local level

POBALPOBAL We promote co-ordination –communities/State

agencies/ other stakeholders. Encourage piloting of new initiatives. Committed to contributing to policy development

through the lessons learnt / programmes we manage.

The Board is appointed by the Government of Ireland following consideration of proposals received from stakeholders of the Company & National Social Partners.

Economic & Social ContextEconomic & Social Context

Rapid economic growth /low unemployment.

Emerged as one of Europe’s wealthiest countries.

Not all have benefited proportionately in terms of income, status or access to basic services

Economic & Social ContextEconomic & Social ContextPoverty & social exclusion/social groups &

areas of the country. Agriculture is declining/out-migration &

poor transport and services infrastructure.

Low-income groups rented accommodation in inner cities, suburbs & towns, with inadequate local services.

Economic & Social ContextEconomic & Social ContextBalanced regional development/challenge.Women’s participation in the workforce/

growen/ still low.Increasing workforce participation has

raised pressures relating to work-life balance and care for older people.

Accessible and affordable childcare.

Economic & Social ContextEconomic & Social ContextInvest in knowledge-based skills.Challenge/reducing educational under-

achievement & early school leaving, & in widening access to higher &further Ed & Train .

 Skills shortages/ people moving into Ireland from other countries/ now a country of immigration/ cultural & ethnic diversity.

New concerns /inequalities & social exclusion.

PROGRAMMESPROGRAMMES Local Development Social Inclusion Programme

€48.8m Peace II Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme Dormant Accounts €60m Rapid Millenium Partnership Fund €2m Equality for Women €7m Rural Social Scheme Rural Transport Initiative € 9m 2007

PROGRAMMES PROGRAMMES Interreg P1M2 /Community CCTV Equality for Women MeasureEnhancing Disabilities Service ProjectIntegration Fund for Legally Resident

Immigrants €3mCommunity Services Programme/Social

EcGrants for Locally Based Community &

Voluntary Groups

Core ActivitiesCore Activities Evaluate Proposal & plans Allocate funding Monitor Performance & Expenditure Assist & Support Implementation at Local Level Support Analysis & Exchange of Experience Identify & Disseminate Good Practice Encourage Integration at Local Level of

Mainstream Programmes & Policies-add value Inform & Influence Policy at Local, National &

EU level

What is Social ExclusionWhat is Social Exclusion ? ?Multiple levels of Disadvantage Marginalised

–Unemployment–Living in Poverty/Low income–Limited Social Network–Removed from any Decision Making–Quality of Life

National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion

AIMAIMTo Counter Disadvantage To Promote Equality, Social & Economic

Inclusion Support for Partnerships & Community Gps Partnership Approach to Tackling Local Issues Basis of Comprehensive, Integrated, Local

Development Plans Designed to Counter Social Exclusion Equitably Target the Most Disadvantaged

Individuals & Groups Within Their Areas

Evolution of Partnerships

1991-’93 Pilot Area Based Response to Long-Term Unemployment – 12 Areas + Pobal

1994-’99 Major expansion + EU Financial Support Strategies to prevent unemployment Community Development

2000-’06 Continuation of Exchequer funding Social Inclusion Focus

2007 Expansion to all of country

PrinciplesPrinciplesTargetingPromoting EqualityCommunity Development Approaches &

PrinciplesPartnershipIntegrated, multi-sectoral responsesMechanisms to mainstream lessons and

contribute to policy

TARGET GROUPSTARGET GROUPSOlder

People Homeless Ethnic

MinoritiesMigrant Workers

Ex-prisoners

People with

Disabilities

Substance Abusers

Gays & Lesbians

Travellers Under Employed

Lone Parents

Ex -Offenders

Long term Unemployed

Low Income Smallholder Households

Young People at

Risk

Disadvantaged Women

FUNDED GROUPSFUNDED GROUPS38 Partnerships /18 rural32 Community Partnerships/25 ruralCompaniesStructureStrategic Plan 2000-2006

– Services for the Unemployed– Community Development– Community Based Youth Initiative

Services for the Services for the UnemployedUnemployed

• To improve the Options within the Labour Market for LTU/Most Distant

• To Support Access to Suitable Gainful Sustainable Employment & Self Employment

• To Support the Development of an Enteprise Culture/Community Enterprise/Social economy

• To Add Value to Mainstream Policies and Programmes

Practical SupportsPractical Supports• Information and Guidance• Mediation/Job Placement/Follow Up• Enterprise-Business Planning/Access

to Loans & Grants / Bookkeeping• Education and Training• Social Economy• Networks

Community DevelopmentCommunity Development• To Enhance The Capacity of

Disadvanategd Communities to Particpate in Local Development.

• To Provide Support for Small scale Improvements to the Local Environment & Community Infrastructure.

• To Add value to the Effective Delivery of Mainstream Policies and Programmes.

Community Based Youth Community Based Youth InitiativesInitiatives

To enhance the social & personal development of young people ESL/at risk ESL/underachieving.

To alert young people to the dangers of substance abuse.

To expand the range of community based education & Youth Dev. Opportunities.

Community Based Youth Community Based Youth InitiativeInitiative

• Formal School System/Out of School• Early Years Development/Pre School Age• Support for Parents• Homework Clubs• After School Activities• Access/Transistion Programmes 2nd/3rd Level • Training towards Employment/ Pre -

Apprenticeship

ManagementManagement

Monitoring PerformanceSupportInformationReportingResearchSupport Policy & Mainstreaming

EVALUATION OF PLANSEVALUATION OF PLANS• Profile of the area- socio economic/demographic.• Quality of the Plan.• Specific Targeting of the Strategy & Actions – places/

groups most disadvantaged.• Process of Preparation & Consultation.• Capacity of the Group to Implement the Plan &

Achieve its Objectives:- financial controls practices; ability to set targets and monitor performance; Board’s structures to enhance participation; Evidence of linkage with state organisations and other programmes; Value for money;

• Performance to date.

AchievementsAchievements

Quantitative Results 2000 – 2005.• 101,965 individuals support inder Services for the

unemployed.• 28,130 marginalized people were placed in

employment.• 12,188 established their own business.• 55,051 adults participated in education and training.• 257,345 young people participated in educational

initiatives.• 5,589 community based groups meeting the needs of

the poorest people were supported.• 1,267 Environmental projects were supported.

Benefits Of PartnershipBenefits Of Partnership• Targets areas of most disadvantage;• It identifies & focuses on the individuals & groups most excluded

and most at risk of exclusion.• Accurate profile of the area & it’s needs & a strategic approach to

the resolution of those needs;• Collective action at the local level in support of activities, which

benefit the local area & population;• Encourages the inclusion & participation of all groups/local areas;• Generates local involvement, ownership & use of local resources;• Encourages the identification of new opportunities for economic

activity;• Through the allocation of funds for the implementation of

Strategic Plans it adds value or complements existing services, it puts in place additional support services & tailors innovative projects to meet specific identified needs.

Future Post 2006Future Post 2006

NATIONAL COVERAGE

NEW NDP GUIDELINES

SUCCESSOR PROGRAMME

COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH PARTNERSHIPS