Visit the Department’s community development webpage for full official information.
Visit DRCDG website
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
EMPOWERMENT – LOCAL ACTION – SOCIAL JUSTICE
Community Development
History, today’s news, and the key government programmes shaping community development across Ireland.
What is Community Development?
We have published countless articles over 25 years demonstrating how community development works and we would encourage you to check out our magazine archive.
For even longer, Community Work Ireland (formerly known as the Community Workers’ Co-op) has been promoting community development and inclusion. Visit their website for more, including to become a member (free).
There are various 3rd level courses focused on development and inclusion – covered in our ‘Studies’ section.
Community Development Today
LATEST NEWS
News, features and analysis on community development in Ireland
Read the latest news, features and analysis on community development in Ireland — published throughout the year by Changing Ireland.
Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT APPROACH
Reducing poverty, promoting inclusion and equality
The national Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) was established in 2015 by the now Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
SICAP seeks to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality in Ireland. It does this by supporting communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration.
The programme, which often exceeded its targets, won a United Nations Public Service Award in 2022.
SICAP is managed locally by Local Community Development Committees with support from local authorities. At community level the programme actions is delivered by Local Development Companies.
You can seek SICAP supports through your nearest Local Development Company.
Programme overview:
SICAP SUPPORTS
It provides support to:
- People in disadvantaged communities.
- People impacted by educational disadvantage.
- People in jobless or low-income households.
- People who are long-term unemployed.
- People with a criminal history.
- Refugees.
- International Protection Applicants.
- Disabled People/People with Disabilities.
- Heads of One-parent Families.
- Travellers.
- Roma.
- Island residents.
SICAP is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU through the European Social Fund Plus.
Government Support for Community Development Since 2017
The Department of Rural and Community Development was established in 2017 and in 2025 “the Gaeltacht” was added to its functions and name.
The mission of the now Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht is: “Support the development of sustainable, inclusive and resilient communities throughout Ireland, including in rural, urban, island and Gaeltacht areas, embracing their unique cultural, linguistic and environmental features.”
The following are among the key programmes relating to community development supported by the department:
EST. 2015
Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme
As described in more detail above, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme is the government’s primary social inclusion initiative and it is designed to reduce poverty, promote equality, and support marginalised communities at local level. It supports individuals, groups and communities at large.
EST. 2022
Empowering Communities Programme
The Empowering Communities Programme, launched in 2022, targets area-based deprivation through a community development approach. It seeks to empower 16 local communities to craft their own response to area based poverty, social exclusion and the resulting consequences.
The projects funded under the programme are in areas of high deprivation, as identified by Pobal’s HP Deprivation Index.
EST. 2021
Community Development Programme
The new* Community Development Programme supports 10 Community Development Projects (CDPs) as follows:
- Clare Traveller CDP
- Cultúr Migrant CDP
- Donegal Intercultural Platform
- Inner City Organisations Network
- Independent Living Movement Ireland
- Kilkenny Traveller Community Movement
- Longford Roma and New Communities.
- Amal Dublin City
- Amach! LGBTI! Galway
- Limerick Traveller Network
* An earlier Community Development Programme ran for 18 years until 2010. Its work and impact was core to Changing Ireland’s journalistic focus in our first 9 years.
History of Community Development
Coming soon. For the moment check out our magazine archive.
Family Resource Centres Programme
136 CENTRES NATIONWIDE
Universal services for families in disadvantaged areas
There are 136 Family Resource Centres (FRCs) around the country as of 2026 and they all involve local people in identifying needs and developing needs-led responses.
All FRCs take a community development approach in their work. They are funded by Tusla — the Child and Family Agency — to deliver universal services to families in disadvantaged areas across the country.
Find your local FRC
For More Details
RELATED PAGE
Government Strategies to Support Communities
For more detailed information on government strategies, policies and research supporting community development.
View page (link to be added – thanks for your patience).
RELATED PAGE
Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
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