Donegal Local Development (DLDC) have welcomed the publication of ‘Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities’ – the government’s new strategy to support the community and voluntary sector.
DLDC and its members are looking forward to playing a key role in turning the plans into reality in the coming years.
The strategy sets out to create a vibrant and active civil society but it also recognises the current challenges caused by policy developments and funding reductions made during the recession that impacted the capacity of the community, voluntary and Local Development sectors to support communities.
Patsy McGonagle, DLDC Chairman, highlighted the strategy’s commitment to a renewed community-statutory partnership which is essential to bring about better outcomes for communities.
He said: “The recognition that such partnership must be underpinned by strong, independent community development and local development structures has allowed the strategy to recognise the state’s relationship with civil society, and as a cross-government document, this is to be welcomed.
“DLDC also welcomes the government’s recognition of their work with long-term unemployed people which it states ‘would be almost impossible for central government to replicate’”.
DLDC is a member of the Irish Local Development Network which was a key player on the Cross-Sectoral Group that Co-produced the plan and Mr McGonagle adds that: “As the Strategy now moves into its implementation phases, DLDC and its members will play a key role, working with the other stakeholders, to help turn the objectives into reality.”
DLDC delivers extensive social and community supports services such as LEADER, Local Employment Services, the national social inclusion programme (SICAP), Tús and the Rural Social Scheme throughout our catchment area in County Donegal.
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