Banking on communities Targets v. Reality - Changing Ireland
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yea
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ppyn
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Banking on
communities Targets v. Reality
How to fund projects
without having to
offer your house
as collateral
__
to a bank
INSIDE: P5-8 A proper education
Ballyfermot pros
Start volunteering!
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This publication is produced by Changing Ireland Community Media Ltd, an independent, not-for-profit NGO, based in Moyross,
Limerick, core-funded through the Community Division of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
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6
4-6 SOCIAL BANKING 17-19 VALUE OF
NETWORKING
7 CROWDFUNDING
20 PROGRAMME REVIEW
8 LOCAL ECONOMIC &
contents
COMMUNITY PLANS 21 SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
22-23 ROSCREA’S
COMMUNITY PLAN
INDEPENDENT
‘Changing Ireland’ is an independent publication core-
funded by Government since 2001:
FRONT COVER
The cover photo features a leader on
an outing with members of the11th
Waterford Dungarvan Scouts.
There was an error in the translation of
the front cover headline in the Autumn
See page 11. edition which was meant to read “And
you are welcome”.
10-11 NEW GENERATION OF SOCIAL INCLUSION AND
VOLUNTEERS COMMUNITY ACTIVATION
PROGRAMME
12-13 REACHING PEOPLE V.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation
Programme (SICAP) is the main community development
REACHING TARGETS programme operated by the Department of the Environment,
Community and Local Government in support of the
voluntary and community sector. It has a budget of €28m
14 STUDENT HOUSING
from April-December 2015.
The programme tackles poverty and social exclusion
CO-OPERATIVES
through partnership and constructive engagement between
Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged
communities.
SICAP’s aim is to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion
15 VOLUNTEERING and equality through local, regional and national engagement
and collaboration.”
The Programme is
underpinned by a Community
16 ELECTION: VIEWS ON Development approach.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Most of the work on-
the-ground covered by this
magazine is funded through
the SICAP. In this edition, we
also focus on LEADER and
a number of other important
participatory initiatives.
If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days, you would
cup of coffee.
3 have produced enough sound energy to heat one
Editorial
Better than banks
T here are new ways for com-
munity organisations to con-
duct fundraising and to borrow
In Ballyfermot, Dublin, a new network supported by SICAP has
impressed. It ensures there is now a co-ordinated response locally
to young people’s needs and aims to stamp out any duplication. The
money. If turned down by main- most appropriate educational service is offered to the individual,
stream financial institutions, be they early school leavers, people in trouble with the law, people
there are two social finance snared by the lure of drugs and/or those with literacy difficulties.
banks in Ireland for starters. Hopefully, we will no longer have a situation where citizens in
There are also a range of options receipt of social welfare payments are obliged to attend courses
online, including crowdfunding that they can barely stay awake for in the classroom, while tutors
and crowdlending. go through the motions. There were many great people employed
These can work better than by FAS, but this was how many of their courses were described
banks in many cases. anecdotally.
A fundamental part of the response through SICAP is to offer
***** individuals meaningful courses and the most appropriate route that
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme puts them on a path that will improve their life-chances.
(SICAP) was launched on April 1st, last year. A mid-term review That doesn’t take away from the need to deal with stigmatisation
(see inside) found some targets were being exceeded. but others of whole areas based on address, ethnicity, age and other
were likely to be missed. stereotyping that exists in society. Community development has
However, the review did not blame the grassroots organisations always been about seeking social change, taking collective action,
on the ground, who are doing everything they can. In this magazine, involving people (as groups, not individuals) in having a real say in
we focus on what works best and we highlight best practice. We their collective future.
also provide a space for people at the coalface, who believe they Whoever is in power after the 2016 General Election should ensure
know how things could be done better. People such as Ian Dempsey community organisations continue to be supported to challenge the
who makes some very valid-sounding points in this issue. We look State on every occasion where people are discriminated against by
forward to responses to his article. its institutions.
*****
SICAP places an emphasis on making sure any young person
who is not in education or training is given the support they need Allen Meagher
and an opportunity. The programme seeks to offer people a clear
pathway towards employment or training.
FILE A REPORT FOR US!
If you believe in Community Development and enjoy writing, why not file a report for us about your community
project and what makes it unique. 300-400 words is plenty (and a photo if possible).
Certain criteria apply. Your first point of contact should be the editor.
Published By: ‘Changing Ireland’ is the most popular and Production:
widely-read magazine emanating from the Community & Editor: Allen Meagher.
Voluntary Sector. Focused on Community Development, Journalists: Ben Panter, Mark Quinn & Ray Lucey.
managed and published by Changing Ireland Community Editorial Team: Allen Meagher, Gearoid Fitzgibbon, Joe
Media Ltd., it is core-funded by the Department of the Saunders, Juan Carlos Azzopardi, Rosie Smyth and Viv Sadd.
Environment, Community and Local Government. Packing & Distribution: Speedpak, Dublin.
Printed by: Davis Printers, Limerick.
Postal address: ‘Changing Ireland’, c/o Community Enterprise
Centre, Moyross, Limerick.
Voluntary Board of Directors: Claire Gallery, Ellen Duffy,
Office base: Unit 3, Sarsfield Gardens Business Centre, Gearoid Fitzgibbon, George Clancy, Jude Meaney, Kay
Sarsfield Gardens, Moyross, Limerick. Flanagan, Seamus McGiff and Viv Sadd.
Tel. Editor: 061-458011. E: editor@changingireland.ie Thanks To . . .
Tel. Journalist: 061-458090. E: mark@changingireland.ie, ‘Changing Ireland’ thanks everyone involved in the
ben@changingireland.ie or raylucey@gmail.com production of Issue 52.
W: www.changingireland.ie Also find us on: Twitter,
in moyross
Youtube, Facebook, Blogger, Linkedin and Issuu.com
Made
Disclaimer limerick
The views expressed in this magazine are those of the author concerned. They do not, by any means, necessarily reflect the views
of the editor, the editorial team, the voluntary management board of Changing Ireland Community Media Ltd, or the Department of
the Environment, Community and Local Government.
A Blue Whale’s heart beats six times a minute. 4
WINTER 2015/2016
SOCIAL BANKING
New funding options now open
to community organisations
- Latest phenomenon is crowdlending and it’s not a fad
BY MARK QUINN
& ALLEN MEAGHER
A t some stage almost every person
working in the community and voluntary
sector finds themselves starting a sentence
with: “If only we had the money, we could...”
In a recent report on social banking
conducted by Clann Credo, Minister of
State for Rural Economic Development
and Social Enterprise, Ann Phelan spoke of
the importance of social finance provision,
“without which many valuable community
projects simply would not happen.” She said:
“It is sobering to reflect the report’s finding
that 59% of groups surveyed failed to secure
loan finance from conventional financial
outlets, with a number having been asked to
provide personal guarantees for what was
anything but personal benefit.”
Nowadays there are a range of funding
possibilities available to projects that are of
a benefit to the wider community, but do not
get support from banks.
It can also work for sporting or charitable com is an US based website that allows users
MICROFINANCE
projects, but it is important to spend time to buy into a company through crowdfunding.
choosing the right site to run your campaign
Under a partnership between the Local
Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and Microfinance
on.
CROWDLENDING
‘KEEP IT ALL’
Ireland, business loans are now available Crowd Lending is a real alternative sort of
through the Local Enterprise Office. half-way house between crowdfunding and
By applying through an LEO you will get:
• Assistance and feedback on
OR ‘ALL OR NOTHING’ lending. A business publishes their project
proposal online along with the figure they
There are generally two kinds of hope to raise. Members of the public register
application. crowdfunding: ‘All or Nothing’ or ‘Keep it All’.
• Business advice and support. as lenders and then offer to invest their sum
With ‘All or Nothing’ crowdfunding, the of money in the project, in exchange for an
• Reduced interest rate 7.5%. total amount must be raised before any
• Flexibility on repayment terms. annual interest return.
credit card payments are processed. With Around the world, crowd lending is
The loans are provided and administered All or Nothing the project owners needs to
by Microfinance Ireland and applications are becoming a massive industry and people are
be confident that they can reach their target. beginning to consider it as a viable way of
made through the LEO. With Keep it All crowdfunding projects,
Unlike some of the other financial supports borrowing money at lower interest rates.
the amounts pledged at the end of the project Linked Finance is an Irish-based crowd
available from the LEOs, various kinds of period are processed.
organisations can apply for a Microfinance lending firm. They offer everyday people the
Keep it All, sometimes referred to as chance to become investors for as little as
loan. Sole traders, partnerships and limited Flexible Funding, may be a safer option for
companies with fewer than 10 employees €50. The investors then bid on the interest
most projects. The project owner needs rate they want to receive, from between five
and an annual turnover of less than €2m to convince supporters of the campaign
can apply. Loans may be used to fund the and 15 percent.
that part of the project can proceed with At the end of the bidding process, the
start-up of a business, the purchase of stock, whatever money is raised.
equipment, machinery and business vehicles borrower is offered a loan based on the
Depending on the type of project, lowest percentage rates offered. The
and are also available to existing enterprises. crowdfunding can be donation based or borrower can decide to accept or reject the
rewards can be offered to people who pay
CROWDFUNDING
loan at this stage. Linked finance claims to
in certain amounts. For example, a branded have more than 10,000 bidders, who have
Crowdfunding involves raising funds mug or T-shirt might be offered in exchange bid over €13m on various company projects.
for a new project by raising many small for a donation over €20, or naming rights to While neither Linked Finance nor Grid
amounts of money from a large number of the project might be offered to a generous Finance, Ireland’s two main crowdlenders,
people. This is done through established benefactor willing to pay the entire cost of are currently offering their services
crowdfunding websites such as icrowdfund, the project. specifically to community groups, the
fundit.ie or for sporting projects, ntrai.com. When listing a project, you have full seeming success of the concept is a good
Crowdfunding is suitable for a range of creative licence to decide on the types of indicator of where things are going in the
projects, including capital projects such award you will offer and at what cost. future.
as the purchase of equipment, building Equity-based finance is also emerging as a
renovations or product design / creation. new way to invest in companies. Equitynet.
It’s possible for a cow to climb a stairs, but not to
come back down. 5
Changing Ireland
FUNDING FIXES
Banking – but not as we kn
BY MARK QUINN Sister Magdalen Fogarty and it acts as a • Match funding loans, where a
lending bank for organisations that have condition of a grant or other payment is that
N owadays banking is a taboo subject in
Ireland. Nobody wants to talk about
doing it, we feel ashamed about it and many
a social purpose, but may not want or get
funding from the private sector banks.
the organisation must come up with a part
of the overall funding themselves.
Clann Credo CEO Paul O’Sullivan said: • Capital equipment loans that can
of us wish we didn’t do it. “The essential idea was to see if you can get buy a minibus, kayaks, a marquee, a lifeboat
But there is good news for community finance working in a way that has positive - virtually any gear that will add to the social
development workers who want to get social outcomes and that it’s not just about impact of your organisation.
project funding without having to resort to making more money for itself.” • Property loans are available for
banking. In the 20 years since they were set up, buying, building or refurbishing your
There are two main social finance Clann Credo has provided €75m to more premises.
providers in Ireland now. than 500 different organisations. Customers According to Paul, Clann Credo were
One is Clann Credo, a social investment have included: sea and mountain rescue instrumental in helping a number of
fund that provides low interest loans to services, Family Resource centres, men’s LEADER funded projects become a reality
community organisations, charities and sheds, film and arts groups and sports clubs. after the banking crisis hit: “They would not
social enterprises. They work primarily in The types of loans Clann Creedo offer are: have been able to access either the bridging
the Republic of Ireland but have customers • Bridging loans in cases where a loans or the match finance term loans
as far afield as Cambodia. grant has been approved, but is not yet that were required. It would have been a
The group was established in 1996 by available to draw down. disaster. Something like 80% of our clients
How we borrowed to buy kayak
and not from a mainst
- Scout leaders would have had to give person
BY MARK QUINN
T he 11th Waterford Dungarvan Scouts were
founded in 1968. Currently they have 100 youth
members from six to 16 years old.
In 2012 they set out to build a new Scout Hall, the
“Scouts Den”. They sought, and were approved for,
grant funding for 75% of the cost of the “Den” from
Waterford LEADER Partnership.
A condition of the grant was that it could not
be drawn down until half of the work was paid for.
Since the Scouts only had a quarter of the cost of
the building, this left a temporary shortfall of 25%
that they would need to find before they could draw
down the grant.
Group Leader with the unit Tom Power explains
what happened next:
“The interesting thing about
the loans we got from Clann
Credo is that they were
unsecured loans.”
“We met with [Clann Credo] and they said to us:
‘When do you see the project being completed?’
and we gave them a date. In fairness to them, they
said: ‘We will give you a bridging loan, but not to
put you under pressure, we will give it to you for
nine months and if you get your grant early then you
can pay us off early.’ Which is what we did.”
Dungarvan Scouts had their loan repaid within 7
months. They found the experience so positive that
they returned to Clann Credo again the following
year and bought twenty kayaks, life jackets and
The 11th Waterford Dungarvan Scout Troop now has 20 kayaks and are at sea in summer and winter. paddles.
The strongest muscle in proportion to its size in the human 6 body is the tongue.
WINTER 2015/2016
SOCIAL BANKING
now it...
said that their project would not have gone
ahead without Clann Credo’s support.”
An application can be submitted to Clann
Credo on their website, or by calling the
number listed there. They will appoint a
dedicated staff member to help with the
process. Their evaluation team will look at
your ability to repay the loan and also at the
social payout the project itself will have. Like
in a Credit Union the team meets every month
to look at applications and make decisions on
them.
Paul believes that social sector groups return
to Clann Credo for finance again and again not
just out of necessity or because they have an
understanding of the realities of the sector:
“Some people consciously borrow from us even Members of the 11th
though they might be able to get it from the Waterford Dungarvan Scouts
mainstream because they want to support an on a hike last year.
ks, clann credo helped with 1,000 jobs
R esearchers have concluded that approximately one thousand jobs were created
tream bank
countrywide through projects funded by social investment bank Clann Credo during
the period of the outgoing LEADER programme 2007-2013.
According to an independent report published in November, loans were given to 319
different LEADER projects and the total amount loaned by Clann Credo was €34m. This
nal guarantees on loans
allowed the projects to draw down a further €42m in LEADER grants.
The average LEADER grant was €132,000 and the average Clann Credo loan, for both
match funding and bridging loans, was €106,000. The total project expenditure was, on
average, €199,000.
According to the report, 80% of the projects who received funding said the loan from
“The interesting thing about the loans we got Clann Credo was critical to securing the LEADER grant. At least 52 projects with eligible
from Clann Credo is that they were unsecured expenditure of €13.4m could not have proceeded without the Clann Credo loans.
loans,” said Tom. “If we went to the bank then As well as the 1,000 jobs created, a further 600 jobs were maintained by project
they would be looking for me to take a personal promoters.
guarantee on that. With Clann Credo it was a case The report was launched by Minister of State for Rural Economic Development and
of: ‘You’re a community group, we understand that Social Enterprise, Ann Phelan.
you’re doing this for the benefit of the community’
and there was an element of trust between us.
“If the likes of Clann Credo didn’t exist it would
not have been possible for us to have proceeded
with the project,” he said.
The scouts took out a three-year loan to pay for
COMMUNITY FINANCE IRELAND HAS €100M
the kayaks.
According to scout Kevin Joyce, kayaking has
R ecently, Minister of State Ann Phelan
formally launched Community Finance
Ireland (CFI), a rebranding of the social
now become a regular activity for the group:
finance service provided for the past 20
“It’s a nice skill to know. It’s fun to be able to go
years by the Ulster Community Investment
out every few weekends on the water. We go out
Trust. It is one of the two main social finance
six or seven times in the course of the summer, but
through the winter we wouldn’t go out as much,
providers along with Clann Credo.
because it’s too cold but we do go out every now Donal Traynor of CFI said they had
and again. We go kayaking into the bay or out to €100m to invest and were “targeting
The Cunnigar (sandspit) or sometimes we go out organisations and social enterprises which
to Ring.” are delivering an immediate social impact to
The troop bought different types of kayaks the community.”
to cater for scouts of different abilities, as Kevin He said “all our profits are retained and
explained: “We have ten of the sit-on kind and ten recycled for re-investment, which increases
sit-in kayaks. Sit-ins are covered and they sit a the level of available funds for other
bit lower in the water so they’re more balanced. community organisations.”
Sit-ons are easier to use for scouts who are just The social finance provider has to date
starting.” lent more than €70 million to over 400
community and voluntary organisations.
Mr Traynor claimed CFI’s paperwork
F: www.facebook.com/DungarvanScouts was “less onerous” on customers than they
would find with conventional lenders.
W: communityfinance.ie/roi-home.html
Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a 7 calorie.
Changing Ireland
CROWDFUNDING PLANNING
4 TOP TIPS FOR RAISING Anglers
Galway in CB
FUNDS ONLINE Six-year Local Eco
D igital communications
consultant Harry Reid examines
if crowdfunding can be a potential BY MARK QUINN
L
lifesaving part of a voluntary
ocal Authorities have published their
organisation’s funding efforts:
Local Economic and Community Plans
(LECP) for 2015-2021.
Done well, a crowdfunding campaign
While there is no ‘right way’ to complete
has the potential to raise serious money
the LECP, Galway City seem to have a good
for specific projects.
formula. They have published a short and
If you’re serious about embracing
concise plan with very clear actions and in
crowdfunding as a part of your
doing so they have created a document that, as
fundraising toolbox, I suggest that you:
well as talking about social inclusion, actually
seeks to include people by being accessible
ONE: and easy to read.
The plans have been drawn up according
Crowdfunding requires investment in to guidelines set out by the Department of
staff and volunteers’ time. They both the Environment, Community and Local
need to know what they’re doing in terms Government and uses Europe 2020 targets
of mounting an engaging, time-tabled, to set out goals in relation to employment,
nuanced campaign and working to a innovation, climate change, education and
detailed plan (that has been) agreed poverty.
organisation-wide as a time-limited, Harry Reid was initially sceptical. The plans are a statement of each local
bookended priority. authority’s economic and community goals
Additionally, resources need to be support, and the broad activities that will be initiated
marshalled and invested in creating - who will benefit and how. to achieve them. The groups involved in
professional campaign materials – Attention spans are short on the web, implementing the activities will decide on the
excellent audio-visual material in so you need to be punchy. (Tell) people finer details.
particular, such as live action video or (what they) will get (in) reward for specific The guidelines recommend that the
animations, are essential (and) require amounts of donation (and factor) in your economic section of the plan is drawn up by
specialist expertise to produce. costs for fulfillment of each aspect of the Economic Strategic Policy Committee
such offers. and the community section is drawn up by the
TWO: Local Community Development Committee.
The process is then overseen by a steering
Study and become familiar with the
FOUR: group.
Changing Ireland took a look at the
myriad of crowdfunding platforms, learn Treat your crowdfunding campaign community element of the plans from Leitrim,
from what others have done on them. as the temporary flagship in your digital Offaly and Galway to see what different
armada, complimentarily working in approaches those councils took.
THREE: consort with your website content; social
Plan your campaign by setting agreed
media feeds; Instagram or other photo-
sharing output; material on your YouTube LEITRIM
start and end dates, ensuring that once channel and in your regular e-zines.
Additionally, while your crowdfunding Leitrim County Council adopted what they
up and running you can clearly and call a “Life-Cycle Approach” taking into
concisely convey your messages in campaign is live, if you don’t already,
consider running a dedicated blog on the account the needs of community members at
terms of: all stages of their life. The plan includes home,
- what you want the funding for, likes of Tumblr and putting out a podcast
through Soundcloud or similar. leisure and community as part of its approach.
- why your envisaged work deserves The plan specifies 13 target groups who
should benefit from the community element
of the plan including migrants, people living
alone, people with disabilities and Travellers.
The objectives are outlined under four
themes:
• Living and well-being in Leitrim.
• Learning and training.
• Working and growing.
• Inclusive and welcoming Leitrim.
The actions listed to achieve the goals are
not very specific. For example the plan states
that the way to increase the capacity of the 13
target groups will be to:
“support existing structures and networks
which address exclusion” and “support new
capacity building initiatives.”
Sometimes you face difficulties not because you’re doing
something wrong, but because you’re doing something right! 8
WINTER 2015/2016
Bluebell
City’s plan island a sweet
short, dream project
and specific
onomic & Community Plans published by local authorities nationwide
both over a hundred pages, but it is packed
with specific information that paints a very
clear picture of the council’s priorities over the
next few years.
The approach taken is illustrated by,
for example, the objective to “ensure full
integration and equality of all people within
our community.” The following actions are
listed:
• Re-establish the Traveller Interagency
Group and
-develop an action plan,
-implement the Yellow Flag initiative in
schools,
-support Traveller led social housing (CENA).
• Review and develop the “Access for All
Group” and support their action plan.
• Support the development of an accessible
and safe resource centre for the LGBT
community.
OFFALY
Offaly’s draft LECP is a heaving 123 page
document with the community section alone
running to 33 pages but the information is
presented very clearly. It does a comprehensive
job of covering a large area facing various
rural and urban issues.
The community element of Offaly’s LECP
Participants in an intercultural festival in Galway in 2008. Today, Galway is the most
is organised under three goals:
multicultural city in the country (2011 Census).
• Education, training and skills,
innovative city. • Local and community development,
GALWAY • Ensure Galway is an inclusive and equal • Empowering communities.
City. Unlike the previous two documents, the
The draft LECP for Galway City defines • Encourage a sustainable, resilient urban Offaly LECP does not address issues relating
all economic and community goals under 5 environment for Galway City. to vulnerable target groups together. Instead,
headings: • Promote health and well being to all people it integrates them throughout the plan; for
• Develop and promote Galway as a world- in Galway City. example Traveller needs are listed under
class, creative city region. At 26 pages, Galway’s LECP is far shorter education and disabled peoples needs are
• Develop and promote Galway as an than the other two Changing Ireland examined, listed under housing.
Leitrim Live Craft was a creative training programme supporting economic activity Daingain Youth Club members, Co. Offaly.
focusing on the creation of craft work imagined, designed and handmade in Leitrim by
the people of Leitrim.
90.6% of students who started in secondary school in 2008 completed their Leaving Certificate
compared to 83.6% of those who started in 1998. 9 Source: 2015 Social Inclusion Report
Sorted! NEW GENERATION OF VO
Pobal video HOW WE GREW AS
finally VOLUNTEERS
makes the - Three Co-op volunteers explain what motivates them
connection
P obal was left slightly red-faced when
a website link in a snazzy video telling
people where they could find help through
the Social Inclusion and Community
Activation Programme led visitors to an
online brick wall.
The colourful video urges the public to
visit Pobal’s website “to find your local
SICAP provider”.
However, when viewers visited the
Limerick’s ‘Urban Co-Op’ is a co-operative grocery store meaning it is owned, controlled
website and clicked on the ‘Find your local
SICAP provider’ button, a log-in password and operated by its members. It sells food at affordable prices and is operated for and
was required. by the community. It began in 2013 and by last year had 300 members and was on its
way to becoming a full-service retail grocery store. W: www.theurbanco-op.ie
Photo: B. Panter
BY BEN PANTER
M anaging the symptoms of an autistic something I could get involved in. I could see
child, recovery from a bowel operation myself, in a small way working towards an
and filling the “void” caused by unemployment alternative to what is out there.
are just three of the motivations that inspired “When I got involved I couldn’t find work…
three volunteers involved in Limerick’s ‘Urban When you are in unemployment it is extremely
Co-op’, now two years old. difficult; you tell yourself ‘a man doesn’t need
The growth in the lives of the three to work’ but my God it is important. This filled
interviewees as a result of volunteering that void, it gave me an outlet.
testifies to the benefits of community “The shop is operational two or three days a
development movements. week, we are testing the water, the response has
While the local provider information been fantastic. In a sense it is only beginning
was available through an obscure link, Dr Each member of the team plays their own
role in ensuring the project is a success. now; it is an exciting time and the confidence
Catherine Forde from UCC felt compelled gained was a real help in getting back into
to complain. employment.”
“The SICAP video that is on all LDC Dramatic benefits for
websites suggests that people can access
volunteer’s son Stepping stone back to
Dinvolvement: “I have a special needs child normal after illness
details on their local SICAP implementer
from the Pobal website, but how could eirdre McMahon explained her
K
they do that when this information was athleen Burke has just overcome illness: “I
password-protected?” she asked. so I was a full time mum and carer, but I have am OK now, this is helping me turn my life
Dr Forde contacted Pobal twice. She a special interest in food because my son is around, it is all part of the recovery process. I
was initially told there wasn’t any problem Autistic, it’s difficult. had a tumour removed and had bypass surgery
and later informed that there had been “a “I always had an interest in nutrition and in the bowel, I was sick for almost a year.
technical glitch”. In the meantime, over 700 when I heard about this project I thought I “This is a stepping stone back into normal
people had watched the video. might actually have a say in where I buy my living.”
Pobal stated in a report published in food and where it comes from, so that was the The former teacher and musician would “love
December they have had positive feedback angle I came at it from. It has resulted in my to see the whole street light up with people
on the video. son improving dramatically. coming in here” and would like to “see this
The upbeat, three-minute video is titled area keeping its kids…This is my small way of
“Now he is really happy at school so I have
‘What is SICAP and how can it help me?’. helping.”
some free time and I am very interested in “It’s nutrition, a complete change in lifestyle,
It features cartoon flowers growing under getting the highest quality organic food that I it brings communities together, brings networks
sunlight and speaks of empowerment and can get. together, knowledge, and the whole lot spreads
working for change locally. “I had no idea about Co-operatives and how out.
While comments are “disabled” on the they worked before but now I just think it is the “It’s different to the traditional business
video, you are welcome to send yours to way to go. model because it is community driven…It is the
‘Changing Ireland’ and we’ll make sure “I had accepted my role as a full-time mum energy it is driven with.
Pobal receive your feedback. but with the improvement in my son my In a regular business you have one person
View the video here: https://www.youtube. horizons have expanded massively,” she said. trying to make money, this is not for profit,
com/watch?v=dke_WKHrSHQ that’s the attraction.
- AM Pat got his mojo back Anything made gets put back into the growth
P at O’Sullivan, polite and softly spoken, had of the community; I think that everyone who is
been long-term unemployed, another victim part of it has the same wish so it can only grow,
it’s not for monetary gain, it is for community
of the recession, after a 17 year long career gain.”
in Roche’s stores and then in the construction “Our vision is that we become a learning
industry: hub, an education centre. People can learn
“I had become very disillusioned with the way voluntarily, in an easy environment how to
business was done and the amount of corruption grow their own stuff, how to preserve foods,
it seems the bigger business got the worse the how to grow the right foods. You learn stuff
goings on inside of it. I thought yeah this is here that will stay with you,” she said.
In 2013-2014, the Office for the Promotion of Migrant 10 Integration resettled 182 refugees, the majority
Afghans, Somali and Syrian, in Ireland.OLUNTEERS
WINTER 2015/2016
How do you begin community work?
“Just go do it!” says Kelly McCarthy
Kelly McCarthy at the West End Youth Centre.
Photos: A. Meagher.
BY ALLEN MEAGHER
H ow does somebody fresh to volunteering and for instance youth “Meanwhile, I went onto college, studied Community and Health
work in their community get started? Care and became a mother. This year I thought to myself something
“Just go do it!” says Kelly McCarthy. has to be done as it seems nearly every day in Limerick someone
The 23-year-old. mother of two from Ballinacurra Weston has goes into the river. Why, I asked myself.”
played a leading role in setting up support services in her area of “I feel it is because people are afraid to ask for help, maybe
Limerick city for people who feel suicidal. they’re afraid they’ll be judged.
“Don’t hold back. All ideas are valid. Whatever your idea, just go “So I decided to set up a local drop-in centre that’s open once
do it. Advertise it and get people to support you,” she said. a week. It’s a place where people who are suffering can come and
Recently, Kelly organised a local ‘Hope Hope’ Coffee Morning to have a cup of tea or coffee.
spread the word that support is available locally for anyone feeling “We’re organising for counsellors to come and give group talks,
down or suicidal and the event attracted considerable local interest. we provide information and we just let people know that there is
Kelly explained her motivation: support for them and they are not alone.
“Seven years ago when I was in Presentation Secondary School, “We are appealing for volunteers and for counsellors who would
we had to do a Leaving Cert project about an issue people don’t donate their time, or for people to help with fundraising,” she said.
understand, but one that affects people in their everyday life. I Meanwhile, the ‘Hope Hope Drop-In Centre’ is open to all.
chose suicide.” While Kelly does most of the groundwork herself, she also
“That same year, my 15-year-old cousin ended her own life. belongs to the local Young Mothers’ Group and she has received
support from community workers attached to Limerick city’s Drugs
Kelly McCarthy (centre) with supporters. Education and Prevention Strategy (DEPS) which is managed by
Limerick City Community Development Project and which is funded
under the Young persons Facilities fund.
Last year, DEPS engaged with over 3,800 young people citywide
aged between 18 and 25 years.
“Suicide can turn up on anyone’s doorstep. I don’t get paid for
what I do, I don’t want to be paid. I just want to help people,” she
said.
For more information on Kelly’s project:
E: mccarthykelly44@gmail.com
F:www.facebook.com/profile.
php?id=100010025137437
Every year participants in the Battle of the Oranges in northern 11 Italy throw 500 tonnes of oranges at each other.Changing Ireland
REACHING PEOPLE V. REACHING TARG
Programme places too mu
jobs and not enough on pe
- Ian Dempsey, CEO, West Cork Development C
• In an interview with ‘Changing Ireland’, Ian Dempsey,
CEO of West Cork Development Company, outlines in
stark terms why the Social Inclusion and Community
Activation Programme (SICAP) runs the risk of being
of little use to some of the people who most need it.
• Mr Dempsey raises issues of critical importance to
the programme’s effectiveness.
• Let us know what you think of Dempsey’s views.
Email: editor@changingireland.ie
• And check back next month when we publish
your feedback and afford a right of reply to the
programme designers, Pobal, Mr Haase and Cork
County Council.
INTERVIEW BY BEN PANTER
S ICAP is in it’s
early days. We
started in April,
best possible chance of meeting
the overall programme targets.
If penalties are levied on us or
we are making a other organisations, we simply
good a fist of it can’t operate effectively. Penalties
and we are making would have a detrimental effect,
progress. with reduced staffing and project
But we do have funds, thus making the delivery of
concerns. the programme almost impossible. Ian Dempsey, West Cork Development Company.
One is that we’re Interestingly, while financial penalties
now operating in remain a potential sanction, financial In time, communities may have a say
a pre-dominantly bonuses are not provided where targets on the priorities, but I have a concern
target-driven or caseload is exceeded. One could be over the supports for the hard to reach,
Ben Panter environment which forgiven for thinking that SICAP’s planning the disadvantaged, the marginalised,
appears to be the overriding concern of and delivery is not being done in the spirit the excluded - will they have anyone
policymakers. of partnership. advocating for them? There is too much
The targets are very high and you have of a particular emphasis on employment,
to meet them or run the risk of financial With SICAP, social inclusion has been training and education, an area in which
penalties being imposed. That leads to a defined in a very specific way and I think many agencies and organisations are
superficiality in terms of engagement
with people. “We have eleven areas of active.
Social exclusion is far more complex
than that, it is a long-term process. Our
designated disadvantage The problem with putting social
inclusion in the new programme against
team is working extremely hard but in West Cork, but only one a backdrop of significantly reduced
targets can’t be the be-all and end-all. It resources is that now it has to compete
simply emphasizes the quantitative over of them is in a rural area. with the job creation and the broader
the qualitative. The LCDP offered more
in terms of engagement with people and Our contract states that 50 community development elements.
Communities will have a say on the
accommodated a greater developmental
focus.
percent of our work has to priorities, but I have a concern over
whether supports for the hard to reach,
In the transition from the LCDP to
focus on designated areas the disadvantaged, the marginilised,
the excluded - will they have anyone
SICAP, some of the broader Community of disadvantage.” advocating for them? The emphasis is
Development role has been lost. Three on jobs.
engagements (with a client/citizen) means that’s a good thing.
that an individual target is recorded as However, the money is so limited and the There is a lot of social exclusion here,
having been met so inevitably the service programme potentially so wide that groups even when you compare West Cork to inner
delivery and resourcing focus moves on are having to prioritise objectives around a city estates.
to another client’s needs to ensure the smaller number of actions. However, SICAP seeks to target areas of
Every week more than 600 volunteers teach English to
the Failte Isteach programme.
12 over 2,000 students from 75 countries underNEWS
WINTER 2015/2016
GETS
BRIEFS
uch emphasis on HELPLINE GOES
eople 24/7
Women’s Aid extended their helpline for victims of
domestic violence to become a 24/7 service from
January 1. Tel: 1800 341 900.
Company
designated disadvantage. It is almost an to be reflected in the review process- How
urban model placed in a rural context. this will then be addressed remains to be
You are probably familiar with the Trutz seen.
Haase Deprivation index. We have eleven Also, in the case of SICAP, had we time,
areas of designated disadvantage in West we would have raised concerns (with
Cork, but only one of them is in a rural area the programme designers) about data
- out on the Beara Peninsula.
Our contract states that 50 percent of our
collection. In delivering supports, we have
to ask for significant amounts of personal
Communities &
work has to focus on designated areas of
disadvantage.
information. People are not always willing
to provide this and as such they will not
flooding
‘Changing Ireland’ produced a special six-page
I think the deprevation statistics work count towards caseload.
report on how communities and local authorities
very well in an urban area.
However, demographic metrics for How is ‘alignment’ between the
responded to flooding in 2014 and the lessons to
education attainment, unemployment, age Community Sector and Local Authorities be learned.
dependency and lone parents don’t tend to going? We spoke to people who resorted to burning
cluster in rural areas. They do in Inchicore I would absolutely agree that local clothes to stay warm in the aftermath of flooding
or Moyross or on Cork City’s Northside, community groups should be in partnership (and the consequent loss of electricity). We looked
but in rural areas disadvantage tends to be with local authorities, it makes eminent at the community development infrastructure in
more dotted around. sense that this would happen. There King’s Island, Limerick and Inishbofin, Co. Gal-
Also, in profoundly rural areas you are numerous ways in which this can way, and the incredible work of volunteers in both
have real issues with age dependency, be achieved. The key is that structures communities.
particularly among older people. Older should be community-led. I remain to be
people are not a target group under SICAP convinced that this is the case. Furthermore
but their needs should be incorporated into I believe that local development needs to
the programme. be informed by a range of different voices.
There is a significant shift from What are the challenges with regard to
LCDP to SICAP work. We have had to LEADER? Inishbofin volunteers. Ref: Spring 2014 edition (Issue
dismantle things that no longer fit into In West Cork irrespective of the LEADER 45) available on our archive at www.changingireland.ie
the programme. For instance, we had to strategy we put in place, the budget
withdraw from a very successful youth available to us is 70% of what it was
project (The Attic Youth Café in Bantry) that
now has to be run by the community and
heretofore. That will deny opportunities for
a great many people. VOLUNTEERING
volunteers on their own. Staff providing
recreational facilities were also providing EXCELLENCE
a lot of counselling, but it didn’t fit in with • Note: At the time of this Intel Ireland won a Corporate Social Respon-
SICAP. interview, a planned review of sibility award for ‘Excellence in Volunteering’ in
We used to have a community worker
the Programme’s performance September.
engaging full-time with smallholders, often
in its first six months was
MANAGERS,
unmarried farmers in isolated communities
and people living in difficult circumstances underway. (The results have
who are maybe a bit removed from the since been published. See
system and supports that are there. But
they are not a target group in the new
page 13 for more. The review is
available online at: ).
APOLOGISE!
President Michael D Higgins, in September,
programme. Those guys don’t understand urged bodies such as the City and County
that and they’re still contacting us looking Managers’ Association to apologise publicly for
for support and we can do little for them
not valuing social housing more in recent decades.
because the programme of supports has to
be geared towards defined target groups,
(Source: RTE)
set by policymakers in Dublin.
We did have a conversation with the
LCDC reflecting our concerns about
SICAP’s design and the reality of trying The primary
to deliver those supports. In fairness they
would have taken some of those things on form of social
board. But I don’t think we have a voice or
a channel that will be heard by the policy inclusion
makers. “Become friends with people who aren’t your
I think that our concerns are reflected by age. Hang out with people whose first language
colleagues around the country and I think in isn’t the same as yours. Get to know someone who
time that our concerns are ultimately going doesn’t come from your social class. This is how
you see the world. This is how you grow.”
- Galway City Partnerhip (via David Wolfe on
“One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential
13 Facebook).
is invisible to the eyes.” - Antoine de Saint Exupery.Changing Ireland
STUDENT HOUSING CO-OPS
Why not here?
Co-operatives provide affordable housing, food
and transport (bicycles) to students in Britain
A longside bursaries - as reported
on in our Autumn edition - Ireland
could be doing more for students in
The Centre for Co-operative Studies
recently welcomed Mike Shaw from the
Students for Co-operation to a conference
Following the conference, a number of
students from the Postgraduate Diploma
in Co-operative Organisation, Food
other ways too. in UCC (October 19th). This event was Marketing and Rural Development have
Noreen Byrne, Centre for Co- part of the Co-operative Convergence formed an action group and are in the
operative Studies, UCC, drew our Week. process of setting up a student housing
attention to student co-operatives Mike spoke about the UK movement co-operative in Cork City. At this point all
which are popular in Britain. She writes: and hoped to inspire Irish students to we can say is: Watch this space.
The start of the new college year was have the courage to set up student co-
not an easy one for many students. operatives here in Ireland. More info: Read how Birmingham Student
Media reports presented stories of Other speakers at the conference were Housing Co-operative got their first house
students having to accept very costly Duncan Stewart, environmentalist and here: www.uk.coop/newsroom/students-
Dr. Oliver Moore from the EcoVillage in birmingham-launch-first-student-housing-
and poor quality accommodation. This of
co-op-uk
course creates all sorts of vulnerabilities, Cloughjordan.
financial and otherwise, and certainly
did not facilitate a supportive learning
environment. Although, perhaps it does
provide a good introduction to the rough
edges of capitalism.
So what can
students do?
In the UK and other parts of the
world, students have set up student co-
operatives so as to gain control over key
areas of their lives such as housing, food
and transport. The Student Co-operative
Movement is one of the leading lights of
the UK Co-operative Movement and has
been widely reported on in the Guardian
and other media.
These co-operatives have set up
substantial housing co-operatives, some
providing housing for several hundred
students. Sheffield, Edinburgh and
Birmingham have set the lead in student
co-operative housing.
Others have set up food co-operatives,
where they buy food in bulk and hence at
more affordable prices. Others have set
up bike rental co-operatives and so on.
These co-operatives have set up
their own federation Students for Co-
operation. This umbrella body, formed 2
years ago, now represents 30 students
co-operatives across the UK.
“The progress made by Birmingham Student Housing Co-operative
demonstrates that another way is possible for housing Britain’s students
– one that is affordable, empowering and free from landlord exploitation.
“There is no reason why this model, which is so successful in many other
parts of the world, can’t work here in Ireland,”
- Mike Shaw, Network Co-ordinator for Students for Co-operation
Levels of pupil absence in schools fell from 10.8% in 2007
to 7.1% in 2013. Source: 2015 Social Inclusion Report 14WINTER 2015/2016
VOLUNTEERING
Life’s voyage made who’s who?
development
easier with affordable leaders
professional counselling in south
- Sessions cost a tenner / no-one turned away dublin
S outh Dublin County’s Local Com-
munity Development Committee
(LCDC) is up and running with 19
members (the norm).
The Public Participation Network
(PPN) for South County Dublin was also
established in 2015.
The PPN has five nominated rep-
resentatives who sit on the county’s
LCDC.
The LCDC’s membership also in-
I n Clondalkin, Dublin, a low or no-cost counselling service was set up in recognition of cludes three councillors, a staff member
the fact that - nationwide, not just in Dublin - many people need counselling and cannot of the local authority, State agencies
afford it, REPORTS BEN PANTER. Similar models operate in other parts of the country. reps, a Local Development Company
rep and a community rep, among oth-
ers.
year 1 was rent-free
Clondalkin Voyage Counselling Service was founded by local people in 2013 and was In South Dublin, the members are:
catering for 51 clients within 12 months.
Grainne Nolan an administrator at Voyage is employed by the CE scheme, which she • PPN reps: Maurice Walshe, Justin
describes as a “stepping stone back to work.” She said: “We generally agree a fee of €10 but Byrne, Doreen Carpenter, Ronan
Leydon, Stephen Dunne, PPN.
would never turn someone away if they couldn’t afford that. We are open two days a week
and cater for 18 clients in that time.” • Cllrs Paula Donovan, Kieran Mahon
“Our counsellors are fully qualified, but they need 300 hours accreditation when they and Eoin Ó Broin, all members of South
finish their training which they do free of charge here,” she added. This is an example of Dublin County Council (SDCC)
the volunteering you don’t necessarily hear about, but which happens quietly around the • Billy Coman, Director of Housing,
country. Social & Community Development,
In Clondalkin, the costs are kept to a minimum thanks to the kindness of local GP, Dr SDCC
Ramiah, who had a vacant surgery available. He donated the premises free of charge during • Loman O Byrne, South Dublin Local
the first year and has only charged a low rent thereafter. Enterprise Office.
‘NO TYPICAL CLIENT’ • Peter Byrne, South Dublin Chamber
of Commerce.
The service only deals with the clients aged over 18 and addiction issues are referred
elsewhere. • Larry O’Neill, South Dublin County
Partnership (Local Dev’t Co).
Asked what type of issues are presented, Voyage counsellor Kathleen Kiernan replied,
“Relationships, bereavement and addiction, it can be anything really. Relationships - they • Fiona Ward, Department of Social
are huge, not just with your partner, but also the people you work with, family, even going Protection.
to the shop and how you would deal with that.” • Padraig Rehill, Health Services
There is no such thing as a typical client and no such thing as a typical outcome explains Executive.
Kathleen.
• Greg Tierney, Crosscare (NGO).
ELICIT CHANGE • Paddy Lavelle, Education and
“Obviously you are trying to elicit change in their lives so that their lives would be better
Training Board.
for whatever reason. But it’s the person in front of you, it’s their journey, and they leave
when they feel they are ready to leave. • Mary Corcoran, Department of
“For example with bereavement you wouldn’t be expecting change in itself because it is Sociology, NUIM.
a loss so you would be supporting a journey through grief and loss. • Joe Barry, Trinity College Centre for
“Re–engagement is important, people can be isolated because of their loss and withdraw Health Sciences.
and don’t always find it easy to get back out there.”
Anyone who feels they might need counselling need not be apprehensive. • Anna Lee, Community rep.
“All counselling is person centered,” says Kathleen, “That is the basis we work from,
empathy and total positive regard, respecting differences and just being there to support.” For more information about the PPN
Techniques employed by Kathleen include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Choice or LCDC in South Dublin, contact
Theory and mindfulness, all of which are “very effective” according to Kathleen. Anne Byrne or Sarah O’Gorman.
“Obviously, if you are going to counselling there is something going on, we look at T: 01-4149270.
E: abyrne@sdublincoco.ie
different choices and how they might impact on your life,” said Kathleen.
OR sogorman@sdublincoco.ie
For anyone in the area needing a little help staying afloat the service can be contacted
at: voyagecounsellingservice@gmail.com or by phone 086-0424989.
A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter. 1513Changing Ireland
GENERAL ELECTION
Parties at variance over social
inclusion & solutions to poverty
MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BY BEN PANTER
W ith a general election looming, ‘Changing Plans to create an ‘All- Ireland Civic Forum’ will, they argue, give a
Ireland’ asks the political parties in Government greater voice to grass roots movements. On a similar vein they say
that, “Sinn Féin believes it is time to move on from ‘Partnership’ as
and in Opposition where they stand on supporting we currently know it and move towards the greatest possible use of
Community Development initiatives and people on the decision making mechanisms involving participative democracy.”
margins.
FIANNA FAIL would create a Department of
FINE GAEL puts great faith in tackling Community Support and Development
unemployment, main source of inequality Fianna Fail praised the sector for its resilience after a “difficult
Fine Gael, as the senior party in power, point to the money number of years” and said it was committed to “re-energising” the
they have invested in the sector, although they focused in their Community and Voluntary Sector which it believes has a central
response on the past 12 months in particular. For instance, part to play in drawing together marginal voices to ensure they are
they highlight €8m granted to 55 community and voluntary represented.”
organisations in that period. They certainly talk a grand vision: “Community Development
They also point to €19m allocated from the Dormant Accounts working in co-operation with the government will have an integral
Fund which has been invested “towards programmes and projects part in what will be the biggest re-distribution of power the country
for specific measures supporting children, disadvantaged youth, has ever seen.”
older people, carers, prisoners, the unemployed and persons with If elected, they promise clear leadership, increased funding and a
a disability.” restoration of autonomy. They point to specific measures that they
Most of their response relates to their record on employment “are committed to implementing”.
claiming that 100,000 jobs have been created since they came Under a Fianna Fail government the sector can expect its very
to power. Unemployment, they believe, is “the main source of own ‘Department of Community Support and Development’, the
inequality and unfairness in our society today and that work is the restoration of LEADER, RAPID and CLAR funding, autonomy
best way out of poverty.” for Local Development Companies and the restoration of town
Job creation is Fine Gael’s central focus in seeking council structures with a new community council structure.
to support the vulnerable in society and their focus They acknowledge Government plays an important part
on getting people into work or back to work will in providing frameworks and support for Community
continue “restoring the dignity and removing them Development groups which they describe as “intrinsic”
from the cycle of poverty caused by long-term to building strong communities. Their proposals, they
unemployment.” say, are part of a “comprehensive approach to give
local people power over local decisions.”
LABOUR “would always take a
‘bottom-up’ and community-based SOCIAL DEMOCRATS have experience
approach to local development” in their ranks & will not outsource
In terms of Labour’s approach to community
development, the party issued a brief statement to community work
‘Changing Ireland’, as follows: The Social Democrats openly admitted that they are still working
“It’s a very broad topic but in general Labour has always been on policy but they were forthcoming in their attitudes regarding
deeply supportive of community development and would always the sector which they believe is “vital to the social infrastructure of
take a ‘bottom-up’ and community-based approach to local Ireland” which has been “decimated”.
development.” A party spokesperson pointed out that a number of their
It continued: “Labour in government has worked to protect candidates have experience as community development and youth
and enhance the funding and delivery of supports for community workers.
development, including through Community Employment, LEADER, The party believe that “outsourcing responsibility for this sector
the Rural Transport Programme, SICAP, etc.” to private interests is not the way forward and we must ensure that
adequate funding for this sector is reinstated and protected.”
The party was launched with a vision “of fostering vibrant
SINN FEIN would restore multi-annual funding & communities within a vibrant economy”.
foster participative democracy
Sinn Fein point out the cuts in a sector in which government RENUA believe small businesses are the driving
expenditure has for example fallen from boom-time levels of €84.7m force of the local economy
in 2008 for the Local and Community Development Programme to RENUA Ireland claim community development is at the “heart,” of
€48m this year for it successor programme, SICAP. their “vision of creating a society that liberates people and talent.”
They promise greater efficiency and some practical measures They too want councils to be more accountable to citizens and
although they shy away from releasing spending figures. want to create a society where the interests of everyone are valued
Multi-annual minimum funding would allow organisations to plan by giving local authorities power to develop communities.
ahead while the immediate release of funds on approval and the RENUA Ireland is “in favour of pragmatic forms of community
relaxation of business plan requirements would, they claim, allow development” in housing, childcare and small businesses which
more time to be focused on service delivery. they say are the driving force of the local economy.
Regarding employment they believe that the CE scheme fulfils
valuable community services and should be extended from being
a transitional scheme to an end, in and of itself. Meanwhile social ‘Changing Ireland’ sought the views of other political parties with
enterprise has the potential to create 5,000 new jobs. more than one TD but without receiving replies.
A year ago, there were 420 primary care teams in
operation with approximately 3,000 staff.
16You can also read
