Notification of Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024 – 2028

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THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. Department of Rural and Community Development is publishing this PIN notice on behalf of Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) to announce the forthcoming competitions relating to the Social Inclusion Activation Programme (SICAP). No action is required at this stage and queries will not be responded to. SICAP provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. Lot 1: Administered by Pobal, 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. SICAP is managed at a local level by 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from Local Authorities, and actions are delivered by Programme Implementers (PIs). PIs are selected for each programme iteration via a competitive public procurement process. SICAP is a multi-faceted programme, which provides supports to respond to individual and community needs, using a community development approach to improve people’s lives. SICAP is a targeted, holistic programme for those who are most disadvantaged and less likely to use mainstream services. It provides supports directly to beneficiaries and links them into existing services. It aims to ensure that beneficiaries receive quality, tailored supports, while also allowing flexibility to adapt actions to local need. It is anticipated that the new procurement will commence in July 2023 for the new programme 2024-2028 on the basis of separate competitions for circa 51 individual contracts across the 31 local authority areas/33 LCDCs. Please note that the services relate to social, health and related services and are subject to the Directive in accordance with the Light Touch Regime. This provides flexibility to the contracting authorities on the procedures and timelines to be adopted.