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Community Services Programme
From Department of Rural and Community Development
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The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. The CSP aims to tackle disadvantage by providing a co-funding contribution towards the cost of employing a manager and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. The Department and Pobal have been working on the restructuring of the CSP, in consultation with stakeholders, since the publication of the report on the independent review of the CSP in 2020 by Indecon International Economic Consultants. The redesigned programme was introduced from January 2023 with a new funding rate allocation model, to replace the previous flat rate model.
Review of Community Services Programme
Review of Community Services Programme
Prepared for Department of Rural and Community Development by Indecon International Economic Consultants, 2020
Call for Community Services Programme Applications 2023:
Following the Minister’s announcement on 6 March 2023 (read Press Release here ), eligible organisations were invited to submit a Concept Note to Pobal under two strands of a new call for CSP Applications 2023. The deadline dates for submissions have now passed with 197 concept notes received.
- Strand 1 : Organisations operating in the circular economy owned and led by Traveller organisations and/or provide employment primarily to members of the Traveller community. 14 Concept Notes were received under Strand 1 (closing date: 19 May 2023).
- Strand 2 : General community services that demonstrate they meet the strategic objectives and the principles of CSP. 183 Concept Notes were received under Strand 2 (closing date: 14 April 2023).
Three sub-programmes are supported under the programme:
Image: CSP sub-programmes
Sub-Programme 1: Spaces and Services
The main aim of this sub-programme is to support organisations that are addressing existing or emerging local need (responsive), increasing inclusiveness and alleviating disadvantage by:
- Maximising the utilisation of community assets
- Provision of local services
- Or both of the above
Sub-Programme 2: Supporting Individuals
The main aim of this sub-programme is to support organisations with a focus on the provision of “employment” for specific target groups of the Programme and/or where the level of long-term unemployment is high in a specific local area. In this sub-programme there will be an expectation that organisations will focus on the personal progress for individuals.
- Opportunities for progression within or outside the organisation
- Provision of skills or training
- Linkages with other relevant local supports
- Facilitating training and supports with employment
Sub-Programme 3: Innovation and Growth
The aims of this sub-programme are to:
- Support the scaling up of specific types of services/activities of social enterprises i.e. accelerate their growth.
- Promote and encourage social enterprises to become self-sustainable.
- Enable innovation i.e. new solutions to local problems; address climate change and improve the circular/green economy.
Click on the link below to be taken to the Pobal website where you can find more information on the Community Services Programme (CSP) and apply.
Access Pobal website here.
Community Services Programme
Address: Libraries Development and Community Policy Unit, Department of Rural and Community Development Government Offices, Ballina, Co Mayo, F26 E8N6
Email: csp@drcd.gov.ie
Phone number: +353 1 7736934