The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 – 2022 was established to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. SICAP 2018 – 2022 is the successor programme to SICAP 2015 – 2017 and will operate from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2023.

SICAP aims to address high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches. It targets and supports those who are disadvantaged in Irish society and less likely to use mainstream services.

Through the Programme, Meath Partnership will continue to engage with marginalised communities and service providers using a community development approach to address issues relating to social exclusion and inequality. SICAP enables bottom-up approaches within the framework of a national programme which provides targets, performance indicators and requirements. Meath Partnership is responsible for the implementation of the SICAP Programme in County Meath. 

SICAP is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with co-funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020. 

Should you have any questions about SICAP please contact our Social Inclusion Programmes manager  monica.nelson@meathpartnership.ie.

WHO does Sicap work with?

SICAP works with specific groups to ensure that programme resources are targeted and focused on those most in need. Only people who are from one or more of these groups are eligible for support under the programme. These groups include:

    • Disadvantaged Children and Families
    • Lone Parents
    • New Communities (including Refugees/Asylum Seekers)
    • People living in Disadvantaged Communities
    • People with Disabilities
    • Roma
    • The Unemployed 
    • People who are economically inactive (i.e. carers, older people, etc.)
    • Low Income Workers/Household
    • Travellers
    • Disadvantaged Young People
    • Disadvantaged Women
    • Homeless people and those under threat of homelessness

SICAP Goals

Sicap works under two goals:

    • Goal 1 - Supporting Communities
    • Goal 2 - Supporting Individuals 

Goal 1 - Supporting Communities

We support local communities and groups to address social inclusion and equality issues and to grow capacity to develop stronger more sustainable communities.

 Supports offered to communities include: 

    • Set up and development of a group.
    • Accessing funding and grant writing.
    • Hosting a community event/meeting.
    • Women’s Groups
    • Governance training and information.
    • Community Planning
    • Information sharing with other groups in your area.

GOAL 2 - Supporting Individuals

We work with individuals to support them to improve the quality of their lives by identifying need and taking appropriate steps to make real life improvements and change.  

Supports offered to individuals include: 

    • Working out your next steps.
    • Employment supports, CV design and career coaching.
    • Confidence building.
    • Finding out about your rights and entitlements.
    • Are you a young person and confused about the next move?
    • Exploring educational and employment options.
    • Family support.
    • Are you at risk of homelessness and need support and information?
    • Accessing other services.

We provide a one-to-one, confidential support and advice service to help you reach your full potential.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021 -2027.