The Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP), proudly delivered by Ballyhoura Development across the Ballyhoura area of north Cork and east Limerick, 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, June 22nd, placed a focus on the role of innovation in creating and sustaining partnerships for effective public service delivery and building back better from COVID-19 to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal targets.

Chairperson of Ballyhoura Development, Mary Laffan, commented that "Ballyhoura Development is very proud that SICAP has been recognised for this award, an acknowledgement internationally of the positive impact of the programme and partnerships that drive local delivery, particularly over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic".

SICAP addresses high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches. It supports disadvantaged communities and individuals including unemployed people, people living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income, members of the Traveller and Roma community and other disadvantaged groups.

Eileen O’Keeffe, Development Manager with Ballyhoura Development 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 and equality issues, building capacity, and creating more sustainable communities".

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 – 2023 is managed by Local Community Development Committees (LCDC's), 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 under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.

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