Organisation information
The Community Development Division
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
The Community Development Division promotes and supports the development of vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities in both urban and rural areas, through implementing a coherent policy framework and strategy which supports the community and voluntary sector.
A key objective is to bring about a more co-ordinated approach to publicly-funded local and community development interventions by further developing the role of Local Authorities through Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) and the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs). A further objective is to encourage citizen engagement with Local Authority structures through the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) and to support and encourage volunteering.
Other areas of the Division’s remit include oversight of the Charities Regulator, public libraries, the development of government’s relationship with Philanthropy , administration and oversight of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and a range of other funding schemes for community & voluntary groups, including the Community Enhancement Programme , the Community Services Programme and the Seniors Alert Scheme.
The Division also administers the EU-funded Peace IV Programme and has responsibility for legislation in relation to Dog Control and Burial Regulations.