United Nations Award for Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme

7 Jul

A picture of hands joined together to represent social inclusion and community

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), delivered by Galway Rural Development across Co Galway, has won the prestigious 2022 UN Public Services Award in the category “Institutional Resilience and Innovative Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic”

The Awards, announced on United Nations Public Service Day, placed a focus on creating and sustaining partnerships for public service delivery and building back better from COVID-19 to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is delivered across Ireland by community-led Local Development Companies, funded through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded from the European Social Fund.

CEO of Galway Rural Development, Steve Dolan, commented “In GRD we’re very proud that SICAP has been recognised for this award, an acknowledgement internationally of the positive imact of the programme, especially during the COVID-19. I would like to thank all the staff of Galway Rural Development, Pobal, and the Department of Rural and Community Development who displayed resilience and flexibility as we sought to support those most at risk of poverty and social exclusion during the pandemic”.

Dr Anne Cassidy, Senior Manager of GRD’s SICAP team added that “The programme goals continue to be hugely important by focusing supports on communities and individuals most in need and engaging with relevant stakeholders in identifying and addressing social exclusion”.

“SICAP addresses high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches. It supports disadvantaged communities and individuals including unemployed people, those living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income, and members of minority communities”.

Galway Rural Development has also recently been recognised by Irish Rural Link and The Wheel for their work during the pandemic, and last week GRD’s Rural Social Scheme and Tús Scheme were recognised for their community work during the pandemic.