Community Support Programme
Purpose
The Community Support Programme (previously the District Councils’ Community Services Programme) is a unique and collaborative initiative involving the Department for Social Development, the 26 District Councils in Northern Ireland, local community and voluntary groups and local advice organisations. The annual value of the Programme is around £16.74 million. In 2007-2008 with £5.04 million of this from DSD and the remainder from District Councils through rate income.
The aim of the Programme is:
"To strengthen local communities, increase community participation and promote social inclusion through the stimulation and support of community groups, community activity and local advice services".
A series of four outcomes, or impacts would capture the Programme’s contribution to community life in Northern Ireland. The Programme contributes to the following:
an active and organised community, through
- the increase of public participation in civic life;
- the promotion of self help and sustainability;
- the strengthening of community organisations, particularly those in Disadvantaged areas;
an influential community, through
- the increased ability of disadvantaged communities to articulate their interests, their concerns and their suggestions for improvement;
- improved partnership working between district councils, other agencies and local communities and
- more effective interagency work at local level;
- positive change for individuals and groups within the community particularly those who are excluded or marginalised;
an informed community, through
- community access to effective, appropriate, approachable, timely and accurate advice and information services; and
a sustainable community, through
- the creation of the conditions for social and economic development and promotion (within district councils and outside) of a long term, integrated systems approach to developing and achieving vibrant communities by jointly addressing social, health, environmental, economic and community relations issues.
Current Status
All district councils are developing new three-year Community Support Plans (2006-2009) which establish the existing pattern of community provision in the council area from council, other statutory and non-statutory sources. objectives.
Criteria
Councils are responsible for distribution of grant aid, in line with priorities identified in the Community Support Plan. Funding criteria is developed by each individual Council.
Funding Level
The overall value of the programme across Northern Ireland is £16.74 million with £5.04 million from DSD. This funding supports the provision of community centres, local advice services, resource centres, grants to community groups and the employment of staff in district councils. The DSD proportion of the total funding available varies from council to council, based on a formula using population and multiple deprivation data.
For further information contact:
Telephone: 028 9082 9410
|
