Community Development
Community Development
is about enabling people to enhance their capacity to play a role
in shaping the society of which they are a part. The Community Development
team works with a range of "target groups" in the area that
have high levels of deprivation and disadvantage. The team assists
groups to build their own capacity through training initiatives and
direct actions, enabling them to become more confident to participate
in local development issues. The Community Development team works
closely with Community Fora and local groups in order to develop the
Community and Volunatry sector within the catchment area. The team
provides assistance and funding to disadvataged communities via the
Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (ADM) and have also successfully
sourced aditional funding from other bodies such as Comhairle, and
the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
DLDC's Community Development Strategy
DLDC's Community Development
Strategy was officially launched by the The Ambassador of the Republic
of Poland, His Excellency Mr. Witold Sobkow on 26th March 2004. The
strategy document was adopted by DLDC in order to strengthen the Partnership’s
approach to Community Development. The framework document outlines
a methodology or a structured means of working towards addressing
the social, economic and cultural disadvantage experienced throughout
the DLDC catchment area.
The overall aim of
the strategy is to provide a basis for working in partnership with
the local community, community stakeholders, groups and citizens,
to focus their activities, and provide support and direction relevant
to the work that is undertaken in these sectors. The strategy aims
to build the capacity of individuals to improve their quality of life,
and to provide them with the skills that will empower them to actively
participate in the development of their local community.
Objectives of the Strategy
- To tackle the issue of social
exclusion and disadvantage in the area
- Identify the most disadvantaged
groups in the area and increase inclusion for these groups
- Increase the capacity of these
groups to become involved in the decisions that affect them and
to increase their ability to voice their issues to the wider community
and social partnership structures
- Development of linkages/support
from other development staff and agencies working within the DLDC
area in order to provide a framework within which maximum use
is made of existing supports and resources
Eligibility Criteria for Groups Applying for Funds
The funding which
has been approved by the Company under the Local Development Social
Inclusion Programme will assist disadvanatged communities in the area
through the development of community group actions. Donegal Local
Developmeny Company Ltd continues to expand it's Community Development
inititaives and supports throughout the region, strenghtening the
firm's commitment in targeting socil inclusion as experienced by individuals
in Co. Donegal. Funding will be specifically targeted towards those
projects that are situated within disadvantaged areas and/or target
those who are socially excluded in the community.
Groups that are eligible
must be located within the Company's catchment area, which includes
all of Co. Donegal with the exception of Inishowen and An Ghaeltacht.
Actions aim to improve the capacity and resource capabilities of groups
in Donegal, building on existing communitarian structures, initiatives
and ideas. Building the capability and action potential of community
groups, has formed a critical component of Donegal Local Development
Company's "Community Development Strategy," from the foundation
of DLDC's Community Development Team in 1996.
