DLDC 2020 Annual Report

Donegal Local Development CLG

Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

CONTENTS WELCOME FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON

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CEO REPORT

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ABOUT OUR ORGANISATION

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STRATEGIC & OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK

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GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE

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DLDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020

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DLDC COVID RESPONSE

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT COMMUNITY DEVELOPLENT

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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

15

DONEGAL VOLUNTEER CENTRE

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RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (LEADER)

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RURAL RECREATION PROGRAMME

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INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTS LIFELONG LEARNING

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REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (RES)

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JOB CLUB

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TRAVELLER JOB CLUB

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SELF-EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS – PROVIDING PATHWAYS TO SELF-EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

31

COH-SYNC COMMUNITY HEALTH SYNC PROJECT

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REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME

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AN GHAELTACHT & THE ISLANDS LIFELONG LEARNING

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PROVIDING PATHWAYS TO SELF-EMPLOYMENT

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EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

43

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

46

DONEGAL VOLUNTEER CENTRE

50

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

51

SCHEMES DEPARTMENT TÚS 53 RURAL SOCIAL SCHEME (RSS)

56

COMMUNITY HANDS

58

CE / JI PROGRAMMES

59

DLDC FINANCES FOR 2020 2

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WELCOME FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON

Patsy McGonagle Chairman

As Chairperson, I am pleased to welcome you to Donegal Local Development CLG’s 2020 Annual Report. 2020 was a year of unprecedented challenge for everyone. The COVID19 pandemic brought the entire world to a standstill in a manner not seen in my lifetime. Therefore, I begin my contribution by remembering those we have lost in our communities over the course of a tragic twelve months. No Community escaped the scars of this terrible virus and regrettably as community activists we were restricted from doing what we are instinctively designed to do in coming together to support one and other.

Notwithstanding the nature of the COVID19 restrictions throughout 2020, voluntary Boards and Committees of the community organisations throughout the county adapted and met the challenge of COVID19 head-on and I wish to pay the highest tribute to their tireless work. I am proud to say our staff played a key role in this call to action by working in collaboration with Donegal’s Communities in responding to the needs of those most in need in inspiring and innovative ways. I am particularly proud of the “COVID19 Mapping project” which received national recognition.

Despite the challenges, ongoing work continued throughout the year with the successful delivery of the 2014-2021 LEADER programme, strengthening our focus Social Enterprises supports, assisting Community organisations to reopen and encouraging volunteers to return as restrictions eased and continuing to support those most disadvantaged in our communities through our wrap around supports in employment, lifelong learning and health and wellbeing to name but a few. From a governance and administrative perspective, the staff shifted our activities effectively online ensuring the work of the Company progressed. To this end I wish to pay tribute to our CEO Padraic Fingleton, his management team and all the staff for ensuring the Company continued, adapted and moved forward in the period.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge with sincere thanks the efforts of my fellow board members who have provided active oversight, governance and strategic direction for the Organisation and to the DLDC staff for their role in making 2020 another year of positive impact in our catchment area in Donegal.

With best wishes as we finally emerge from the challenge of COVID19.

Patsy McGonagle Chairman

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

CEO REPORT

Padraic Fingleton CEO

Welcome to our 2020 annual report, which provides a valuable opportunity to look back on the year and to share with you the work of Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC) during this period.

urgent and pressing community needs that arose as a result of the pandemic. COVID-19 may have changed the nature of our work, but the commitment of our staff to meeting community need was greater than ever.

DLDC is the main local development company in Donegal.

We work with representatives from communities, state agencies, employers, trade unions and elected representatives in delivering supports and services using the bottom- up, communityled approach.

DLDC’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and our Volunteer Centre provided the necessary resources to mobilise our COVID 19 response.

Thanks to the strong relationships we have developed with community leaders throughout Donegal, we were able to initiate and support rapid responses to meet community need. This work exposed the high levels of disadvantage in some pockets of the county and prompted us to explore options to address food poverty in the county. The pandemic also challenged the delivery of programmes such as Tús, RSS and CE. We have endeavoured to support our scheme participants throughout the year, learning to adapt to and operate within the ever-changing restrictions.

Our mission is to develop strong community organisations and to improve the lives of individuals.

We work to bring about positive change in the lives of individuals and their communities. We achieve this through the provision of a wide range of programmes and services, serving as a bridge between our local communities, government, and the private sector. We support people to access education, training, employment, enterprise, family supports and youth programmes. We are particularly concerned to support people living in poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion.

2020 was an exceptional year for everyone, and the community and voluntary sector was no exception. I am proud that the staff of DLDC responded with great agility and creativity to the

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Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we succeeded in delivering another successful LEADER programme. This ensured the continued investment in 31 rural and community projects in such areas as community facilities, rural tourism, enterprise and environment. DLDC also secured funding for a LEADER Transitional

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programme for 2021 and 2022 to cover the period until the next programme comes into effect in 20232030.

Highlights in 2020 included securing funding for a number of exciting new community development projects, such as ‘Innovating Communities’ and ‘Smart Towns and Villages’. We continued our work to support the development of social enterprises throughout Donegal. We also continued work on the development of the International Appalachian Trail and I look forward to celebrating with you its launch in 2021. I am also looking forward to launching the Rethink-funded ‘Think Equality’ project along with our consortium partners, the Donegal Intercultural Platform and Donegal Travellers Project.

In the ‘2019-2024 - Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities’ strategy, the Government commits to supporting community and voluntary organisations with appropriate funding models for the supports and services they deliver in partnership with government. This commitment is designed to create greater financial certainty for and sustainability of the sector, thereby improving its capacity and effectiveness, and ensuring the viability of community services. The 2020 Programme for Government provides for the implementation of this strategy and we hope to see it progressed as a matter of urgency.

The new Programme for Government provides the potential for a new landscape for the future of local community-led development. It includes a wide range of strategies, such as the ‘Our Rural Future’ Strategy, a National Recreation Strategy, a Social Enterprise Strategy, a Volunteering Strategy, as well as commitments to end direct provision, introduce new social inclusion measures, all of which point to an ever-increasing role for Local Development Companies in service delivery. A particular focus for us going forward is on the climate agenda and supporting communities to consider the impact of their decision-making on the environment.

We await to see the full impact of COVID 19 on the economy and we will adapt our targeted wraparound services as the makeup of the live register post pandemic becomes clearer. While many of us have embraced the new world of Zoom to connect, for others the need to communicate digitally has created a further divide as a result of lack of accessibility to broadband and IT devices, or training in the use of the relevant software. The digital divide has highlighted the urgent need for a Digital Inclusion Fund.

I wish to thank all the members of the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN), in particular our colleagues in Inishowen Development Partnership with whom we collaborated on a number of projects. I also wish to thank the Donegal LCDC and Donegal County Council for their support, and in particular Liam Ward, Director of Services and Chairperson of Donegal Community Forum which was set up in response to the pandemic. Finally thank you to all Departmental agencies, academic institutions and fellow NGO members for all your efforts and courtesies in an extraordinarily difficult year.

In 2021 we will be preparing our next strategic plan and look forward to engaging with you all to ensure we meet the needs of individuals and communities in Donegal.

Sustainability is at the heart of all that we strive to do and with the support of our Board, led by Patsy McGonagle, and our team of more than 70 committed staff we will do everything we can to enhance the future of our communities.

Last but not least, I would like to thank the Board of Directors and the staff of DLDC for all their support and tireless work throughout 2020.

Best regards Padraic Fingleton, CEO

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

ABOUT OUR ORGANISATION WHO WE ARE

VALUES & PURPOSE

Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC) is a community led local development organisation.

Established in 1995, it is led by a voluntary Board of Directors from community and voluntary groups, social partners, local government and state bodies.

Our catchment area covers County Donegal except for the Inishowen area, which is covered by Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP).

Since its inception, DLDC has had a clear purpose; to support Community Organisations by enabling and empowering them through their ideas and actions to make Donegal a better place to live and work for everyone.

DLDC has a core staff of 70 people, employed across fourteen EU and Irish Government funded programmes. These staff manage and implement programmes across the county and many of which in turn, support a large number of participants on projects and schemes. At present, over 440 people are participating on such schemes, resourcing communities in rural areas through the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), Tús Programme and the Community Childcare Scheme. As a reflection of the ethos of rural outreach, further to its’ central offices in Letterkenny, Gweedore and Donegal Town, DLDC has established several outreach centres throughout the county in Ballyshannon, Kilcar and Killybegs.

DLDC HAS OVER 25 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE OF DELIVERING TO COMMUNITIES ON THE GROUND, PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INCLUDING TRAINING, WORK PLACEMENTS, GRANTS AND SERVICES.

Partnership Equality

Innovation

Integrity

DLDC VALUES

Inclusion

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Trust

Diversity

Building strong Community Organisations and improving the lives of individuals DLDC reaffirms its core values of partnership, inclusion and innovation, which are guided by the principles of equality, diversity, trust and integrity.

It recognises that every individual has the right to contribute to their own community and the right to equal opportunity of access to resources within that community. Partnership, innovation and inclusion are embedded as core values and principles and inform all aspects in the planning, development and delivery of progressive and innovative supports to the benefit of individuals, communities and enterprises in the region. Staff and Board Members alike operate with empathy, professionalism and a caring attitude when approaching their work.

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STRATEGIC & OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK DONEGAL LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CLG VISION

STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES & IMPROVE LIVES

OBJECTIVES

DEVELOP STRONG COMMUNITIES

THEMES

PILLARS PROGRAMMES

IMPROVE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS

Community Volunteerism Unemployment Social & Capacity Supports Private Building Enterprise

Supporting Communities • RDP / LEADER • Rural Social Scheme • SICAP Goal 1 • TÚS • Volunteer Centre • Walks & Recreation

Funding Personal Networks Development, & Supports Health & Wellbeing, Lifelong Education

Supporting Individuals • CE Childcare • CoH Sync • Job Club • Job Initiative • Refugee Resettlement Programme • Rural Social Scheme • RDP LEADER • SICAP Goal 2 • Volunteer Centre • TÚS • Traveller Job Club

Supporting Operations • Finance, Audit & Risk • Human Resources • Information Technology • Governance • Regulatory & Audit • Health & Safety • Facilities Management

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE Good Governance is the cornerstone of a successful and sustainable organisation. At DLDC, we strive to meet the best governance standards driven by the principles of transparency, openness and accountability. Donegal Local Development CLG is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. DLDC is governed by a Board of Directors whose membership is in keeping with the Irish “social partnership” model. The Board of Directors is the ultimate decision-making body within the organisation with representatives from the community and voluntary sector, social partners, statutory agencies and public representatives to devise and implement solutions to the disadvantage experienced in Donegal. In addition to annual independent financial audit the Partnership is subject to Internal Audits by each of its funders. We are committed to adopting the Principles of The Charities Governance Code as set out below and worked towards compliance in 2020.

The six principles of the Charities Governance Code are: • Advancing Charitable Purpose • Behaving with Integrity • Leading People • Exercising Control • Working Effectively • Being Accountable & Transparent Prior to the Charity Regulator’s Governance Code, DLDC was in compliance with the voluntary code of governance for community, voluntary and charitable organisations.

RISK MANAGEMENT At DLDC, we define risk as anything that can adversely affect our ability to achieve our objectives to support both individuals and communities in Donegal, sustain our operations, maintain our reputation or meet regulatory requirements. We look to minimise risk through our Risk Management Process and controls, which is captured in our Risk Register.

We have categorised risk factors within the following 7 categories: • Physical Risk • Operational Risk • Human Resources • Technology Risk • Financial Risk • Reputational Risk • Governance The register identifies the principal risks, their likelihood and impact, and the actions necessary to manage them effectively.

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DLDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN 2020

Patsy McGonagle Chairperson East Donegal Forum

Colin McNulty Treasurer Donegal County Council

Louise Breslin Company Director South Donegal Community Forum

Muriel Perry Company Director East Donegal Forum

Tracy Peoples Company Director North Donegal Community Network

John Cannon Company Director TEAGASC

Brian Carr Company Director South Donegal Forum

Isobel McGlinchey Company Director ICTU

Siobhan Sweeney Company Director Dept of Social Protection

Michael Chance Company Director IFA

Benny Trearty Company Director North Donegal Community Network

Cllr. Noel Jordan Company Director Donegal County Council

Síle Uí Ghallachóir Forám Pobail Gaeltacht Thír Chonaill

Noel Foley Company Director An Taisce

Cllr. Patrick McGowan Company Director Donegal County Council

Noirín Uí Mhaoldomhnaigh Company Director Gaeltacht & na hOileáin

Charles Gorney Company Director Donegal ETB

John O’ Connell Company Director / Staff Liaison Officer IBEC

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

DLDC COVID RESPONSE 2020 was an exceptional year for everyone but particularly for the community and voluntary sector.

The COVID 19 crisis highlighted the invaluable work of volunteers and demonstrated the power of community. At the onset of the COVID 19 emergency, it very quickly became apparent that the community and voluntary sector were to play a huge part in protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities. An unprecedented spirit of social solidarity came to the fore throughout Donegal with local volunteers mobilising immediately to develop supports and services in their local areas.

The strength of our local community and voluntary organisations, the culture of volunteering, and the ‘can do’ attitude are some of our greatest assets in Donegal. This was very evident during the crisis when the community and voluntary sector began working tirelessly on the ground to offer support to the more vulnerable members in our communities. With this in mind, DLDC established a number of responses and provided guidance to further strengthen the community and voluntary sector’s response to COVID 19 in Donegal.

DLDC re-focused our actions in order to set up a COVID 19 ‘Community Response Fund’. This fund engaged with and provided much needed support for 34 community groups in central Donegal, 13 community groups in the Gaeltacht in their actions to help those impacted by the COVID 19. Some of the supports provided included sourcing funding for PPE, hand sanitiser and hygiene supplies, including the preparation of hygiene packs for delivery into communities with local Public Health Nurses. The community and voluntary organisations supported also went about networking with other organisations to assist with their initiatives, including collaborations with the GAA, An Garda Síochána, SVP, An Post and community nurses.

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The Community Response Fund also supported the delivery of Chef Aid across Donegal. Chef Aid was established as a response to COVID 19 to ensure that vulnerable people across Donegal could receive regular social contact and warm meals throughout the crisis. As a result of Chef Aid, two-thirds of the community groups and social enterprises who work with DLDC were able to provide meals 7 days a week during the periods of lockdown. Chef Aid was provided in Donegal Town, Bundoran, Pettigo, Letterkenny, Killygordan, Stranorlar, Ballybofey and through other response teams working in South West Donegal. In total 835 individuals were supported by Chef Aid throughout the COVID 19 crisis.

DLDC assisted in the development of a map of supports and services offered by Donegal County Council and the community and voluntary sector.

By establishing this map, the aim was to share the details of the supports and services available to members of local communities – especially for those who would be isolating or cocooning. In turn, doing so would highlight any gaps in the services being offered across local communities. DLDC could then

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identify any additional supports that can be offered to local community groups and volunteers to assist them in their responses to the COVID 19 crisis. This proved to be invaluable where actions such as setting up WhatsApp groups across communities enabled the provision of collaborated community support services.

Other ‘on the ground’ supports provided by DLDC included: • supporting local community groups to make face masks which were then distributed into the local community.

• The schemes department within DLDC provided their ‘Community Hands’ vans to collect much needed food supplies from FOOD CLOUD in Galway, which was then distributed to local community groups in Donegal. The vans were also used in the local delivery of food supplied from the Meals on Wheels charity.

• We swiftly moved to offer our courses online and we sourced and delivered a range of credited and non-accredited tailored supports based on identified needs of our clients including Infection Prevention & Control courses online.

• Assisted clients with Covid-19 and Wage Subsidy schemes including a step-by-step guide to the Covid-19 payment process and advised on the changes to the PUP Payment & VAT • Provided guidance on Covid-19 Government Guidelines, New Commercial Rates, Trading Online Vouchers and Mentoring Supports.

• Developed an online Directory of Courses and Resources for our clients.

At a national level, DLDC was part of the Community Call response to the impact of COVID 19 coordinated

by The Wheel and Irish Rural Link, and funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

This programme ensured that vulnerable people across Ireland — including older people, people with long-term medical conditions, and people with additional needs — had access to the highest quality information and support while helping to ease pressure on state services. The DVC, Tús, RSS and SICAP Community Development teams within DLDC played an integral role carrying out needs-analysis on a regular basis to ensure that relevant and timely supports were provided to groups and individuals in our county.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 – 2022 provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.

VISION The vision of SICAP is “to improve the opportunities and life chances of those who are marginalised in society, experiencing unemployment or living in poverty through community development approaches, targeted supports and interagency collaboration, where the values of equality and inclusion are promoted and human rights are respected” (ESRI, 2019).

to source a bulk food supply to address the need in Donegal. This application was successful, the initiative to collect food from the FoodCloud Hub in Galway on a weekly basis and distribute to community partners was fully coordinated by the SICAP Goal 1 team. This food was collected and delivered into areas of identified need within communities (upon request).

Food supplies were delivered to: • Family Resource Centres in Raphoe, Finn Valley & St Johnston & Carrigans.

• The Exchange Buncrana and the Foodbank in Lifford

SICAP G1 PROGRAMME KEY POINTS 2020 • Commenced Regional Emergency Food Response, “Food Cloud Initiative”.

• Initiated Community Respond Fund for Covid 19, supporting 34 community groups, 13 Gaeltacht community groups, 830 older people and spending €40,000 in the community.

• Provided support and capacity for 34 community groups including Governance, Charities Regulator, Community Services Programme and Community Consultation.

SICAP G1 PROGRAMME OVERVIEW 2020 1. Regional Emergency Food Response FoodCloud Initiative SICAP G1 partnered with We Care Foodbank in Letterkenny to submit an application to FoodCloud

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CHRISTMAS FOOD APPEAL SICAP G1 collaborated with the Tús programme & the Rural Social Scheme to coordinate a Christmas food appeal. Much needed, non-perishable food was collected across the county and distributed to charities who provide food parcels to families in need. This was a further illustration of an integrated community led initiative facilitated by DLDC.

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2. COVID19 Community Response Fund As COVID-19 spread right across the world, the SICAP team recognised the need to support Donegal communities by engaging in a ‘new way’ with the most vulnerable. One of the many ways in which we re-focused our actions was to set-up a COVID-19 ‘Community Response Fund’.

This fund engaged with and provided much needed support for 34 community groups in central Donegal.

COMMUNITY RESPONSE FUND SUPPORTING CHEF AID 830 older people across the county benefitted from regular social contact and warm meals throughout the COVID-19 crisis through the Chef Aid model.

Two-thirds of Local Community Groups/Social Enterprises (LCGs/SEs) were providing meals 7 days a week during lockdown.

The Chef Aid model was established in response to COVID 19 in the following areas and provided hot meals to 835 individuals: • Chef Aid Donegal Town, Bundoran, Pettigo, Letterkenny, Killygordon & Twin Towns.

• South West Donegal COVID Community Response Teams in South West Donegal & Inver Community Centre

3. Support and Capacity for community groups: Governance, Charities Regulator, Community Services Programme and Community Consultation Requests (under Action 1.2) for Support and Capacity increased significantly in 2020. This increase was a result of many Community and Voluntary organisations having to close their doors to the public in compliance with government restriction.

Requests also increased due to the fact that all registered charities needed to be fully compliant with the Charity Regulators Governance Code by December 2020.

SICAP G1 provided both mentoring and personal support to community groups in making progress with the complex regulatory, application and compliance issues that impact on the Community and Voluntary sector.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

A total of 36 Community Groups completed the Leader Governance training and now identify as having achieved compliance with the Charity Regulators Governance code.

SICAP provided additional support to these groups in Q4 of 2020. The SICAP team continue to dedicate a significant amount of time and resources to building the capacity of committees and volunteers throughout Donegal. Local community groups now have stronger and more capable and confident committees with many having achieved compliance with the Charities Regulator’s Governance Code.

SUPPORT TO LEVERAGE FUNDING - Groups were provided with funding application support under the following opportunities:

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY CSP – COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMME

4

STABILITY FUND

6

CLAR

1

CEP – COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME

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SMART VILLAGES APPLICATION

1

NATIONAL LOTTERY GOOD CAUSES AWARD

1

LETTERKENNY URBAN REGENERATION FUND

1

FLAG

1 1

HERITAGE COUNCIL

14

NO OF LCG’S SUPPORTED

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION WORKSHOPS SICAP Goal 1 hosted two Community Consultation Design thinking workshops in November 2020.

Design Thinking is a process for coming up with solutions to challenging problems. We tried to really understand the user (in this case – older people in Donegal), challenge assumptions, and redefine problems in an attempt to identify potential solutions that might not be instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding. A summary report was produced and actioned as a result.

Some community groups across the County who benefitted from the work of SICAP G1 Team in 2020 Include: • Care of the Aged Groups in Fanad, Glenties, Creeslough Ramelton & Mevagh.

• Community Food Initiatives in: Letterkenny & Ballyshannon • Community Covid-19 response initiatives in: Glenties, Lifford, Kilmacrennan and Letterkenny • Partnerships with other agencies included: SVDP, Bluestack Centre, Foroige Donegal Intercultural Platform

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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE In the context of the SICAP programme, we support social enterprises to:

SICAP (SOCIAL ENTERPRISE) OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR 2020

1. Deliver services to SICAP target groups 2. Create jobs in social enterprises and sustain existing jobs and operations 3. Provide training, employment or volunteering opportunities for SICAP target groups

Following the Covid-19 lockdown, most social enterprises closed to the public with some enterprises delivering services in their local area in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, we continued to work remotely with 25 social enterprises to further progress ongoing multi-annual support plans and with 31 social enterprises in the context of the Social Enterprise Support Initiative (SESI).

SICAP (SOCIAL ENTERPRISE) PROGRAMME KEYPOINT’S 2020 We supported 25 social enterprises with one-to-one, intensive interventions - the highest number of social enterprises DLDC has ever supported in a year.

31 DLDC affiliated social enterprises completed the Social Enterprise Support Initiative (SESI), an intensive 6-month training and mentoring programme.

The following 7 groups were supported to secure external funding for their social enterprise Kilcar Kayaks, Playmatters, The Workhouse Dunfanaghy, Bundoran Community Centre, Togra Fiontar agus Cultúr Uladh, Finn Valley Centre and Craoibhin Community Enterprise Centre.

SICAP Goal 1 team supported 3 community organisations to complete funding applications for the Community services programme (CSP). These successful applications bring employment and substantial funding to Donegal. All 3 organisations were further supported with the recruitment processes and with induction to the CSP programme.

We provided one-to-one assistance with drafting support to a number of social enterprises to apply for the Pobal COVID19 Support Fund. We participated in the ILDN National Social Enterprise Network within Ireland, representing the needs of rural Social Economy groups on a national level and influencing policy developments within the sector.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

CASE STUDY 1

Social Enterprise Support Initiative (SESI)

In 2020, the SICAP Goal 1 Team rolled-out the Social Enterprise Support Initiative (SESI) to 31 DLDCaffiliated social enterprises. SESI was a Pobal-funded programme to support existing social enterprises through a tailored mentoring and development programme.

In Q1 the SESI initiative was launched through a series of workshops in the Donegal Gaeltacht and in Donegal Central. These public launch events took place before lockdown in Dungloe and Burt.

A range of SESI development workshops/sessions were coordinated through Zoom and online training platforms: Workshops included: - Communicating with Purpose for Community Groups Generating Trading Income for Social Enterprises, Design Thinking for Social Enterprises Annual Planning, Leading and Managing Teams, Financial management for social enterprises.

Both the quantitative and qualitative feedback from the programme suggests it was a clear success.

From a quantitative perspective, 31 DLDC-affiliated social enterprises completed the programme with very high attendance at all 6 workshops. From a qualitative perspective, the mentoring support was viewed has been extremely valuable to participants.

An independent evaluation of the programme indicated that participating social enterprises really benefited from having the additional resource that they could use as a sounding board and bounce ideas off.

The majority also felt having the resource during Covid-19 was immensely beneficial and they found peace of mind through chatting through challenges with the Mentor and coming up with solutions.

The networking was also greatly received by the participants.

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DONEGAL VOLUNTEER CENTRE Delivered Covid 19 supports to more than 400 groups across Donegal, including volunteer recruitment, guidance on Covid 19 issues, training on risk assessments, Covid 19 cleaning protocols, how to deliver community events during the pandemic and the use of online technologies for Community connections and revenue generation.

In 2009 Donegal Volunteer Centre became affiliated with Volunteer Ireland VI, the national volunteer development organisation. The Centre is committed to promoting, supporting and advancing volunteering in County Donegal.

Since its establishment the Volunteer Centre has grown to be a countywide service for volunteering in Donegal. Today the Volunteer Centre is part of the National VI network which includes 22 Volunteer Centre’s and 7 Volunteer Information Services.

Supported the Shop & Drop groups across Donegal, with volunteers, guidance, group development issues and Garda vetting supports.

Partnered with the Donegal Asylum Seeker Support Group in a Christmas Toy Collection for Asylum Seekers in Donegal and beyond.

The Volunteer Centre is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and managed

by DLDC.

OVER VIEW OF THE YEAR 2020 The Volunteer Centre had a hectic and rewarding year, with an ever-evolving list of supports and a record year of volunteer recruitment.

The year was dominated by the Covid 19 response, when in March 2020 the Volunteer Centres were designated by DRCD as a key part of the National Community Led response to the impacts of COVID-19. As a result of this the DVC was a part of the Donegal County Council led ‘Donegal Community Call Response Forum’.

Ionaid Saorálaithe Dhún na nGall DONEGAL

DONEGAL VOLUNTEER CENTRE KEY POINTS 2020 Recruited 629 new volunteers in 2020, Annual target 300: 210% of annual target .

Over this period the DVC continued to offer our core services to groups and volunteers from across Donegal, while supporting our groups and volunteers with the issues arising from the community response COVID-19.

Presented 49 ME4U Awards recognizing, thanking & celebrating volunteers and groups from across County Donegal.

DONEGAL VOLUNTEER CENTRE TARGETS 2020 Total volunteers this year.

Organisations targets for this year

13

200

Vacancies targets for this year

50

37

100

100 0

629

0

47

0

163

629

47

163

Record Count

Record Count

Record Count

Target = 300

Target = 50

Target = 150

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

UNCOVER & REDISCOVER YOUR LOCALITY HERITAGE PROJECT The DVC partnered with the County Museum in December 2020 to offer a workshop on accessing and understanding local heritage. This workshop was well attended by Volunteers and a printed booklet was compiled from the volunteer’s collection of stories photographs and poems from their own areas across the County.

The DVC worked with local volunteer led groups across Donegal who were arranging deliveries and other Services and supplied them with themed and individually banded boxes of free books to gift on behalf of the community to those within their service.

BEACH / GENERAL CLEAN UPS

A Donegal County Museum and Donegal Volunteer Centre Community Project

DonCC_UnCover & ReDiscover Your Locality_A5 Brochure.indd 1

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DONEGAL VOLUNTEER CENTRE ‘GIFTED’ BOOK PROJECT APRIL – MAY 2020 Once the new ‘socially distanced’ way of living had become the norm, we in the DVC received ongoing feedback from volunteers and groups about the impacts on those people confined to their homes.

With Public Libraries, book shops, newsagents and charity shops, in the main part closed, we discovered that also off limits was the previously underappreciated opportunity for those isolating to access reading material.

Following some internal consultation, the Volunteer Centre responded to this need by requesting that the Donegal Local Development CLG team donate good quality books to create a’ book pool’ for distribution. The staff rallied to the request and soon there were many bags and boxes of books making their way to the Volunteer Centre where they were divided into categories like Crime, Romance, Younger Readers, Memoir, etc.

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As a continuation of our environmental theme the VC had planned to support the delivery of a number of Environmental clean ups across the County in spring summer 2020. The project started well with the VC staff attending and speaking about our service at the Donegal based Clean Coast Conference in February. The VC delivered our first beach clean-up in Rathmullan in conjunction with the Clean Coasts Group the Tidy Towns & the Local Authority Environmental Section in early March, the VC provided some 15 additional volunteers to the clean-up. From mid-March 20, DCC requested that we hold off on promoting clean-ups over the C19 period as they had concerns regarding capacity and illegal dumping as part of the clean-ups. In Q4 2020, working with TY groups in Letterkenny the DVC supported 4 environmental clean-ups in conjunction with the LK Tidy Towns, Cathedral Quarter and Gaisce.

www.volunteerdonegal.ie | Office 074 91 26740

WWW.DLDC.ORG

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (LEADER) LEADER is a programme established by the European Commission to enable sustainability in rural communities. The aim of the LEADER as a rural development programme is to promote social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas. Through DLDC grants of up to €200,000 are available under the LEADER programme.

LEADER PROGRAMME THEMES AND SUBTHEMES The LEADER Programme includes 3 main themes and 9 sub-themes as outlined in the diagram. The sub-themes are considered to be the key areas in need of the greatest support and have the greatest potential to promote the sustainable development of rural communities.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM LEADER? • Rural Businesses wishing to expand or develop a new start-up business.

• Farm Families wishing to diversify to increase family farm income.

• Community / Voluntary organisations wishing to enhance or sustain local community activities.

Grant Rates: In general, private projects can avail of up to a maximum rate of 75% for Capital and Analysis & Development, while community projects can avail of 75% and 90% respectively. Basic Services targeted

at hard to reach communities may also be funded up to 90% for community promoters. Training projects may avail of up to 100% grant rate.

Funding Limits: In general, a ceiling of €200,000 grant-aid per project will apply. In exceptional circumstances, community projects may qualify for a higher grant. The maximum grant available for analysis and development is €30,000.

KEY ACTIONS 2020 • Donegal was one of the top 10 performing Local Action Groups (LAG) receiving an additional €500K funding for the County.

• Funding was approved for 26 projects during 2020 amounting to €1,171,333.

• A new transitional LEADER programme for 2021 and 2022 was confirmed in December 2020.

2020 HIGHLIGHTS In delivering LEADER in Donegal, DLDC LEADER staff’s main achievements included: • Positive contribution in enabling Donegal become one of the top ten performing LAG’s in Ireland sharing an additional €5,000,000.

• Completion of 2014 – 2020 LEADER allocations in late 2020 of €5M in grant funding to 100 projects including private and community promoters.

• Approval and delivery ongoing of a further allocation of €630,829 to 4 Co-operation Projects.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

(article above published in ENRD Publication of the LEADER Principles)

DONEGAL LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CLG - LEADER PROJECTS APPROVED FOR FUNDING IN 2020 CATEGORY Rural Tourism

PROJECT PROMOTER County Donegal Railway Restoration CLG

€64,999

Enterprise Rural Towns Broadband Development

Basic Services

Local Biodiversity

TOTAL €64,999

Lishnekree Ballyshannon CLG

€13,263

€13,263

Trustees of Leghawney Hall CLG

€101,298

€101,298

An Grianan Theatre

€16,684

€16,684

Finn Valley Show

€17,704

€17,704

Eunan Quinn/Excel Sports

€4,800

€4,800

Portgill Masteson Ltd

€13,193

€13,193

Christy Gillespie

€8,917

€8,917

Rock hill House Estate and Gardens Ltd

€142,927

€142,927

Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce

€19,538

€19,538

ADOPT CLG

€3,225

€3,225

Rathmullan The Way Forward CLG

€193,800

€193,800

The Trustees of Finn Valley AC

€13,210

€13,210

Lee Gooch

€22,601

€22,601

Glenties Community Action Group

€19,512

€19,512

Donegal GAP Heritage & History CLG

€12,177

€12,177

BASICC

€18,288

€18,288

Leghowney Hall CLG

€10,000

€10,000

Ray Community Centre

€9,366

€9,366

CLG An Tearmainn

€41,285

€41,285

CLG Gleann Fhinne

€110,000

€110,000

Donegal County Enterprise Fund

€17,550

€17,550

Deele Harps FC

€36,390

€36,390

Killybegs Regeneration Group

€9,963

€9,963

Cara House Family Resource Centre

€220,633

€220,633

DLDC on behalf of LAG - Outdoor Rec Strategy

€30,000

€30,000

Total Funding Committed in 2020

€524,063

€57,390

€22,601

€19,366

€305,461

€242,442

€1,171,323

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WWW.DLDC.ORG

RURAL RECREATION PROGRAMME The Rural Recreation Programme works to support the development, maintenance and promotion of trail based outdoor recreation in County Donegal.

• Development of 5 local road walking routes in and around Rathmullan.

• Secured funding for payment to 160 landowners to maintain walking trails across the County.

• Invited to participate in the development of the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy for Ireland.

2020 HIGHLIGHTS County Donegal is one of 13 regions in the country to have been allocated the services of a Rural Recreation Officer (RRO). Since 2008, Donegal’s RRO Inga Bock has been working with communities, landowners, local and national agencies to support the development, maintenance and promotion of trail based outdoor recreation opportunities in County Donegal for residents and tourists alike.

The programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Fáilte Ireland.

KEY ACTIONS 2020 • Commenced International Appalachian Trail (IAT) improvement works creating 2km of new trail at Lough Eske.

• With the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic, 2020 turned out to be a difficult year for all stakeholders who work with the Rural Recreation Programme RRP. • Government Restrictions meant that community interactions were severely restricted. Whilst working from home, the Rural Recreation Officer maintained links with landowners and groups over the phone and online only.

• There has been an impact on rolling out projects on the ground, and new projects could only be progressed remotely. On the other hand, we had a huge increase in usage of local trails, and a lot of people have managed to (re)discover outdoor spaces in their own area, including our new section of the Bluestack Way and International Appalachian Trail at Lough Eske- near Donegal Town.

Niamh Kennedy, Donegal County Council; Steven Doherty, North West Forest Services; Inga Bock, RRO Donegal; Frank Kelly, LEADER Rural Development Manager, DLDC – pictured at the start of the Development Works on the IAT at Lough Eske, Donegal.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

INTERNATIONAL APPALACHIAN TRAIL IN DONEGAL – WALKING TRAIL WITH GLOBAL CONNECTIONS IS AWARDED €215K A total funding package of €215K has been secured to carry out works on over 120 kilometres of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) walking route in County Donegal as part of a cross border cooperation project. The funding which includes a grant of €161K from LEADER, €50K in match funding from Donegal County Council, with other funding being provided by the Rural Recreation Programme, is developing and enhancing the IAT in Donegal. This work will continue throughout 2021.

The overall section of the IAT in Ireland is approximately 302miles/485km in length and runs from South West Donegal to Larne passing through six Northern Ireland council areas.

Inga Bock It starts at the spectacular Slieve League cliffs, passes through Glencolmcille, traverses the Bluestack Mountains in Co Donegal before crossing into Co. Tyrone. Here it picks up the Ulster Way, taking in the Sperrins, the stunning North Coast and the Glens of Antrim.

In Donegal, the trail runs from Slieve League, via Malin Beg, Glencolmcille, Port, Ardara, Glenties, Disert, Lough Eske, Clar and Leghowney to the border at Kelly’s Bridge. Work on the project has begun and includes: • Improved trail waymarking • Dedicated trailheads at key access points • Trail information boards • Additional trail infrastructure (e.g., stiles, fencing, seating, etc.)

• Path development works at Lough Eske • Trail art/sculptures along the way • A Trail Maintenance and Monitoring App The International Appalachian Trail is one of the largest trail networks in the world with route ‘chapters’ in a range of countries including the United States, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, throughout mainland Europe and ending in the AntiAtlas Mountains of Morocco.

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As part of the effort to attract more local, national and international visitors there is also significant investment being directed towards a project to promote the trail, worth almost £120,000. Marketing campaigns in Ireland and North America will be launched towards the end of 2021.

NEW LOCAL TRAILS FOR RATHMULLAN 5 new local trails and 1 new Slí na Sláinte walking route were developed by Rathmullan the Way Forward Group with the help of Donegal County Council and the Rural Recreation Officer. Assisting in the route selection, the maps, route cards and trail information for the group.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTS – LIFELONG LEARNING The Lifelong Learning programme at DLDC supports people who are interested in returning to learning. We believe that people of all ages and abilities should be able to participate in education at a level appropriate to their needs and abilities.

Lifelong learning can enhance our understanding of the world around us and can provide us with opportunities to improve our quality of life.

We provide a free and confidential one to one support service to individuals who are interested in returning to learning and we support our clients on every step of their Lifelong Learning journey.

KEY ACTIONS 2020 • 284 individuals participated in at least 1 Lifelong learning workshop.

• 52 Young people participated in community-based Learning Support groups which are designed to support young people with Dyslexia.

• 29 workshops were delivered to our clients.

• 39 clients were supported to successfully complete accredited programmes.

• An average of 16 young people (and their families) attended our monthly Saturday Storytime Initiative

that is designed to support and develop a love of reading from an early age.

• Developed an online Directory of Courses and Resources for our clients.

2020 HIGHLIGHTS • We moved swiftly to offer as many of our course as possible via Zoom as soon as the Covid19 Pandemic struck in March 2020.

• We continued to respond to our clients’ needs with the development of new Lifelong Learning courses such as Coping with Covid-19.

• We rolled out a Pilot IT initiative in Donegal town that facilitated older and more vulnerable clients to access IT appropriate to their needs. This programme was developed as a response to a new identified need where Volunteers supporting people during lockdown found that a number of households and individuals had different barriers which restricted their connection with the online world e.g., no access to WiFi, limited IT skills, no access to or ownership of smartphones, laptops or tablets.

• We also provided some much-needed supports around Mental Health including Meditation & Yoga workshops which proved extremely popular with our clients.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

CASE STUDY

Lifelong Learning

1: Lifelong Learning (LLL) staff provided Covid-19 telephone calls to those caring during lockdown

2: Lifelong Learning staff supporting clients on every step of their Lifelong Learning Journey

One of our LLL clients who was in their 60’s lived with and was a carer for an elderly parent. They had previously attended SICAP LLL workshops when Home Help hours gave them the freedom to leave the house for a few hours from Monday to Friday and have some time to themselves outside the home and meet with people.

A client who was 46 Years, a single parent, unemployed and living with her two adult sons who were both unemployed & have additional needs.

When the Home help hours were cut, they became the parent’s sole carer. To protect their frail parent, they had made the decision to strictly limit the numbers visiting to the house to only one person which was a friend who came weekly so they could get out for half an hour. The LLL regular Covid-19 telephone support calls became a link to the outside world as well providing the security of a point of contact if they needed to talk or required support and information.

It's Good to Talk

This client approached us in January 2020 after seeing a post on Facebook about the supports that the Lifelong learning team provide. She was very nervous, and had a lot of anxiety issues. This client found the challenging behaviour of her adult sons difficult to cope with on a daily basis and needed some time out for herself. We discussed the Women in the Home (WITH) 8-week tailored workshops - she was very keen to attend and she participated in the workshop.

Since then, we have continued to support her and her anxiety has improved slightly. She has tried her best to practice the relaxation skills she learned during the WITH workshops she had attended.

She really enjoyed getting time out of her home life situation, putting time aside for herself and learning new skills. This client continues to avail of LLL supports.

It's Good to Talk

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Make Someone's Day Keep in Touch Make Someone's Day Keep in Touch

Source: Donegal Women’s Network

WWW.DLDC.ORG

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTS – REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (RES) DLDC’s Regional Employment Service (RES) engage with clients to make them aware of career options and job opportunities. To better prepare clients to enter employment to link with local employers, identifying their needs and achieve lasting progression.

An Outreach Service is provided to clients who reside in rural areas that have limited access to public transport and may be socially excluded. The service is provided throughout the DLDC catchment area.

KEY ACTIONS 2020 • We established a weekly job list which is posted on our website and social media pages.

• 18 clients completed Fit 2 Work Training licence.

• We completed the ‘Are you Connected?’ IT client survey.

2020 HIGHLIGHTS • During 2020 the RES maintained continuous contact with clients and 30 Clients gained part/full time employment.

• We helped individuals with Covid-19 and wage subsidy schemes including emailing clients the step-by-step guide to Covid- 19 payment process • Provided clients with a list of free Online Learning websites and gave a lot of encouragement to clients to complete training during the lock down • Workshops were adapted for delivery via Zoom • The introduction of the Weekly Jobs list on our website and on Facebook helped clients look and apply for local vacancies.

• The “On line” Internet Survey was carried out to identify people who did not have technology or internet in their homes and could not participate in any online training.

• A successful application was submitted for funding to purchase laptops for our clients. These laptops are used on a library system and our client can use them for online training, zoom interviews etc.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

CASE STUDY

Regional Employment Services (RES)

With so many businesses closed due to the pandemic, it was difficult to find a way to engage with small, local employers in the usual ways. In normal times, we would engage employers by offering training to staff which they would be otherwise unable to offer. To help fill the gap, we offered one local retail business the opportunity to put some of their staff on the Fit2work programme.

Five staff members availed of the opportunity to complete the training and to date two have completed the programme.

Lisa’s Story

some of the store management responsibilities that they are currently carrying out. This programme will provide learning in customer service, leadership, teamwork, digital and tech skills, merchandising, legal issue, marketing and others. It is a part-time course over 2 years and on successful completion, this individual is eligible to fast track onto year 2 of a 4-year degree programme which Lisa is aiming to do.

Lisa was one of the individuals and after completing the Fit2work course, she decided to continue with further training by applying to complete a Retail Apprenticeship Programme beginning in September 2021.

Lisa had no interest in schoolwork and she left school at fifteen without a junior or leaving certificate. She has been working ever since and she now has a two-year-old baby which has given her a renewed focus on what she would like to achieve in life. Lisa thanked DLDC for the opportunity to complete the Fit2work program and as it gave her the confidence to continue her education.

In conjunction with Retail Ireland, Skillnet and in partnership with BWG, this programme is aimed at up skilling individuals that owners feel can take on a supervisor role in their store and as a result take on

Lisa’s employer is delighted to see her progressing with her education and after working with them for 17 years it is fantastic to see that she has new opportunities.

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WWW.DLDC.ORG

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTS – JOB CLUB The Job Club provides a public employment service to assist unemployed jobseekers to (re-)enter employment through the provision of individualised supports, a ‘drop in’ service, CV preparation and formal group workshops for which the clients are reimbursed to attend. We provide active, practical and participative supports through a free and totally confidential service in various outreach locations throughout the county.

KEY ACTIONS 2020 • We adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic by changing from traditionally in person supports to remote delivery.

• We increased ‘One to One’ coaching resulting in enhanced service user outcomes.

• We supported 77 clients during 2020 of which 19 were placed into employment.

2020 HIGHLIGHTS • Despite a successful and busy start, 2020 was a difficult and challenging year for everyone, not least the job seeker/employers and all those who found themselves suddenly unemployed due to Covid-19. We quickly adapted and equipped ourselves with new skills as we were soon operating within the realms all Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Since the beginning of the Pandemic support time was doubled if not trebled as extensive calls and extra mentoring and engagement was given to each client.

• We promoted Health and Well-being packs, DLDC and other resources, circulated and shared with clients information on any new Initiatives/ accessing Covid-19 financial supports payments and also assisted with any queries that arose.

• In 2020, despite the substantial reduction in referrals from DSP, particularly during Level 5 restrictions, we still worked with 77 clients achieving 36% placement from One to One’s. We delivered three virtual presentations on our service and undertook an extensive publicity campaign.

Job Club staff (Eleanor Rooney and Lareina Toland) ready to welcome new participants to an online workshop over Zoom, please contact 071 9858959 for more information.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

CASE STUDY

Job Club

Workshop Participant *Mary’s Story Mary was referred by the department, unemployed and looking for work in customer service support roles. After several years in Ireland, she relocated to the northwest. Mary is multilingual and has experience in documentation and business flow procedures. Through supports offered by Job Club, Mary attended a workshop on Customer Service Training in conjunction with Skillnet. Following this, the Job Club staff provided continued mentoring throughout the year, offering advice on covering letters, job search and vacancy lists. Mary gained a fulltime permanent employment in November in a client services role, which is a fully remote position.

One to One Participant *Claire’s Story Claire was self-referred to the Job Club and requested support with compiling a CV and Cover Letter for a specific role as she was due to exit an employment programme. Claire gained support

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from Job Club over several appointments. Following her successful shortlisting for the role, a mock interview was carried out over Zoom and Claire was able to get feedback on her performance. Claire commenced fulltime permanent employment as an administrator in September.

One to One Participant *John’s Story John was a recent graduate and self-referred looking for support with reviewing a CV and interview techniques. Through Job Club supports, John was able to have his CV appraised and was then provided further guidance along with DLDC Info Packs and resource material on interview techniques. John received support over several months and gained fulltime employment in an engineering role in September.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTS – TRAVELLER JOB CLUB The Traveller Job Club aims to open up employment opportunities for members of the Traveller Community within the Public, Private and Community sectors.

The overall objectives are: • To provide access to mainstream paid employment, both part-time and full-time, based on choice, needs and abilities, experience and educational & training level.

• To support members of the Traveller community who are interested in self-employment.

• To support members of the Traveller community who are interested in further education, training and college.

KEY ACTIONS 2020 • 14 clients secured employment • 20 clients completed training • Collaborated with Donegal Travellers Project in the production of the Trav newsletter, some of the articles were published in the National Voice of the Traveller • Provided a key to other services/agencies in sourcing food and essential items for families in need in North and South of Donegal.

2020 HIGHLIGHTS • This year has been especially challenging for the Traveller community. Despite the lockdowns and closure of non-essential businesses, 14 clients secured employment in 2020. Additionally, over 20 clients completed training from local service providers and some engaged in online training programmes during the lockdown. These range from HGV CPC training courses to An Cosán level 7 Degree in Addiction Studies and Community Development • During the Covid-19 pandemic the role of the Traveller Job Coach changed from sourcing employment opportunities to daily telephone calls to clients to address and support their mental health issues, support in linking with other services/ community groups for food parcels, meals on wheels for clients’ families, clothing/baby items for clients’ children, Covid-19 grant applications, etc.

• When employment opportunities did arise, there was an increase in the numbers of clients engaging in job applications. The majority of jobs advertised require previous experience and a lot of the clients would have very little, which added another issue of difficulty to the programme.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

CASE STUDY

Travaller Job Club

Opportunities for Further Education - *Ellen’s Story

The Mental Health Garden Project – Bridget’s Story

During the lockdown two clients completed an online level 6 Management Development module with An Cosán. This led to Ellen progressing on to level 7 Degree Addiction Studies and Community Development course. This has been a great opportunity for Ellen as she is working in a CE scheme in the area of addictions. Gaining work experience and continuing this part time online course it is envisaged that she will have her full degree completed in 2022. The opportunity of partaking in online training was great as both she and I did not consider this approach prior to Covid-19.

During Covid-19, the Traveller Job Coach worker completed a Donegal Travellers Project (DTP) Mental Health Garden project in the Ballintra Site with DTP Community Development worker. This was in response to family member, Bridget who suffered this year from the tragic death of a third beloved daughter, as well as spending eight weeks herself in hospital following an accident.

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“The grotto is something I’ve always wanted, ever since I lost my daughter Margaret. It gives a sense of calm and helps me when I’m having a bad day. Depression is something I’ve suffered over a long period of time.”

Family members on the site helped prepare the ground, erected the statue and planted flowers. This was profiled in the National Voice of the Traveller magazine.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

SELF-EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS – PROVIDING PATHWAYS TO SELF-EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Enterprise supports are aimed at people who may be considering self-employment as a means of improving their current financial situation and for personal progression. We work with a range of people across Donegal, primarily unemployed individuals and those who may have disengaged from the labour market due to a variety of reasons including illness, disability, time spent in education and engagement in family duties.

Participation on the programme enables individuals explore potential business opportunities. They are given 1-2-1 guidance, training and mentoring to help develop their ideas and turn ambitions into reality.

For many who have been through the process, it has resulted in increased confidence and empowerment.

They have been able to provide an income for themselves and their families and in some cases have provided employment opportunities for others also.

2020 HIGHLIGHTS Despite the challenges of Covid-19, enterprise staff continued to deliver supports to new clients by adapting their service delivery, allowing individuals to access information and guidance without difficulty.

In addition to this, they managed a dramatic increase in calls from clients whose businesses were previously well established through the support of DLDC and were now re-engaging for support to ensure their survival. Information was filtered out to these businesses to ensure that they were aware of all grants and financial supports available as well as assistance to help them to diversify and adapt in order to continue trading where possible.

KEY ACTIONS 2020 • 260 individuals engaged for enterprise support • 57 new businesses were established after receiving Enterprise Supports.

• 7 of the businesses established were registered by individuals who have been receiving SICAP support since 2018 • 12 of the individuals who established new businesses were unemployed for more than 2 years

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

SELF-EMPLOYMENT CASE STUDIES *Mark’s Story Mark engaged with DLDC in January 2018 and attended a series of workshops and 1-21 appointments to assist him in finding an administration position. Despite having a good standard of education and participating in various CE schemes, he struggled to find employment.

Mark felt that he was never given the opportunity to demonstrate his potential and received numerous rejection letters. So, in January 2020 he made the decision to explore self-employment as an option.

Mark discovered that a long-standing childcare provider had closed their doors and as a result there was a need for an additional pre-school facility in his area. He approached DLDC staff and discussed their ambitions. He was assisted in assessing the potential income he could achieve, the expected overheads and expenses and assisted with necessary registrations and considerations.

In 2020 he opened the doors for the first time with an initial enrolment of 11 children. One year later, their business continues to operate despite ongoing challenges of Covid-19. There are still 11 children attending sessions and have plans to include an afterschool service to facilitate an additional 11 children. Through the help received from DLDC and the financial support received through the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme, Mark could create a viable employment option to support himself and his family.

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*Emer’s Story Emer, a single parent with a view to achieving a better standard of living for herself and her children, engaged with DLDC in October 2018. She received 1-2-1 support to research the demand for her products and was encouraged by the responses received.

A business plan was drafted along with expected cashflow forecasts and Emer was confident that she had the opportunity to establish a viable business with the support of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme and ongoing support of DLDC. Unfortunately, personal issues prevented Emer from getting established in the short term but DLDC support continued into 2019 and 2020 and when circumstances allowed, Emer launched her business.

Emer will continue to avail of support from DLDC in 2021 to ensure the long-term viability of their business. This is as a direct result of the positive working relationship that Enterprise case officers build with their clients and clients benefit from ongoing supports to help them navigate through any challenges they are faced with as they develop her new enterprise.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTS – COH-SYNC COMMUNITY HEALTH SYNC PROJECT DLDC’s Community Health Sync Project (CoH-Sync) offers free support to individuals and communities who want to improve their overall health and well-being.

Clients are supported to manage their own health needs through access to local services. We focus on improving health literacy, prevention of and early intervention in long term ill-health and its main risk factors.

KEY ACTIONS 2020 • 580 personalised health and wellbeing plans were completed • Responding to Covid-19 restrictions, the project adapted its service delivery by providing online supports.

Offered a variety of workshops to clients which included: cookery, heart health, pilates, fitness, art for wellbeing, journaling, photography, mindfulness, music, drama and grow your own vegetables.

2020 HIGHLIGHTS • Throughout the Covid-19 lockdown we provided support in both rural and urban communities including the delivery of warm meals, food parcels, prescriptions and support phone and video calls to the most vulnerable in the community.

• The CoH-Sync teams designed bespoke online interventions to ensure that the project remained relevant to meet the needs of the local population while we adapted the way in which we worked to maintain delivery of the programme. An online registration portal was developed resulting in an increase in self-referrals to the programme.

• Community Health Facilitators (CHF) have been able to connect with participants, by connecting

remotely and online, with local health initiatives and support organisations. We have worked closely with a wide range of partners including the Social Prescribing team, mental Health Ireland, befriending call services, community FRCs, local GPs, HSE Health Promotion teams and the Covid-19 Response teams.

• Up-to-date information and advice has been provided in response to local restrictions helping to reduce the anxiety felt throughout the community.

Feedback from Attendees “The support helped to calm me, helped with my communication and friendships are improved” “This course has helped me in so many ways. I am happier and more confident in myself”

“It has given me confidence in myself, that I can do more than I give myself credit for.

That I am able to move forward in life and achieve my goals”.

All clients have reported an increase in wellbeing from attending a class and receiving 1:1 support from a CHF. Participants have indicated they feel less selfconscious taking part online and enjoy taking part in the group from the comfort of their own homes. Some clients have commented that if these workshops were in person, they would not normally have been able to attend.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

COH-SYNC CASE STUDIES Art & Wellness classes: The Art & Wellness classes were guided by excellent tutors and art supplies were given to participants.

Participant feedback has been very positive; taking part in new and creative workshops such as ‘Art for Wellbeing’ and ‘Photography & Wellbeing’ created space for participants to focus on their wellbeing and reduce the stresses and distractions around them.

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Clients have enjoyed feeling connected and being part of positive and rewarding activities. Significantly many have reported that engaging in CoH-Sync activities has given them the confidence to take part in other groups.

The Hub has extended its range of online courses to include beginner’s art classes, life coaching and mindfulness which proved very popular over recent months.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME The Refugee Resettlement Programme (RRP) has been delivered by DLDC since 2018 to provide support to refugee families who have been resettled in Donegal by the Department of Justice and Equality.

The families that we support have fled their native war-torn countries and are starting a new life here in Donegal.

The RRP team consists of a Project Co-ordinator, a Resettlement Support Worker & an Intercultural Support Worker and provides support in the following areas: • Education • Health • Childcare • Transport • Youth Programmes • After school activities & projects • Social Welfare • Employment The RRP is a 12-month programme and is divided into 3 phases: Phase 1 is the day-to-day direct support given to the families to navigate their new surroundings, support with accessing local services and direct support with daily duties.

Phase 2 consists of supporting the families to independently engage and access multi-agencies within the county.

Phase 3 focuses on supporting the families with the integration into their new communities by enrolling, engaging and participating in community activities and events. It also centres on supporting individuals to prepare for employment through mentoring and delivering workshops and training opportunities.

The main aim of the RRP is to integrate the families into their new communities, in order for this to be successful the RRP promotes the refugee family’s journey and ambitions around the communities.

Cultural events are organised and delivered throughout the year by the RRP and this allows members of the community to get involved and promotes engagement and integration on both sides.

2020 HIGHLIGHTS • 16 Families supported through the pandemic • Integration continues virtually • 6 Syrian adults volunteer across the county with local community groups • Nasim opened an Arabic Food Store

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

CASE STUDY Nasim Haj Yousef

Having to flee the war-torn City of Adlib in north West Syria in 2013, Nasim and his family fled to Lebanon. By selling vegetables out of the back of a truck he was able to financially support and care for not only his wife and child but also his elderly parents and two sisters who were all facing difficult situation.

in the way of him pursuing his dream to own his own business. The Refugee’s Resettlement Programme team jumped to action and worked hand in hand with the local Community, relevant state agencies, which has resulted in Nasim opening Petra foods grocery shop, in Upper main Street Letterkenny.

Nasim proudly supplies a section dedicated to the Arab and Muslim Community including Halal products and many middle Eastern spices and sweets. It also provides delivery service on a national level.

Upon his arrival to Buncrana, Co. Donegal in May 2019 Nasim has shown a great deal of passion, devotion and ambition to be a productive and independent member of society. Nothing has stood

If you are passing through the busy main shopping street in Letterkenny and you decide to go in to Petra for a dander you will know who Nasim is by locating the person with the biggest smile in the room.

His dream was to one day be able to open his own grocery shop.

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WWW.DLDC.ORG

AN GHAELTACHT & THE ISLANDS Lifelong Learning SICAP SA GHAELTACHT Foghlaim ar Feadh an tSaoil FOGHLAIM AR FEADH AN TSAOIL

FORLÉARGAS 2020

Tá sé mar chuspóir ag DLDC tacaíocht a thabhairt chun deiseanna le Foghlama ar Feadh an tSaoil a bheith ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht agus seo a chur chun cinn. Tá coincheap Foghlaim ar Feadh an tSaoil lárnach inár gcuid oibre agus creideann muid gur cheart go mbeadh daoine de gach aois agus ábaltachtaí in ann a bheith rannpháirteach in oideachas ag leibhéal atá oiriúnach dá riachtanais agus dá n-acmhainní. Tré rudaí úra a fhoghlaim: • Fágann sé rannpháirtithe níos sona.

• Cuidíonn sé le muinín.

• Feabhsaíonn sé deiseanna oibre.

• Ullmhaíonn sé tú d’fhostaíocht.

Thug muid tacaíocht agus spreagadh do dhaoine fiúntas a fheiceáil san oiliúint agus a bheith rannpháirteach agus an tábhacht a bhaineann le Foghlaim ar Feadh an tSaoil a thuigbheáil. Thairg muid deiseanna réamh-oiliúna do dhaoine nach raibh réidh le bheith rannpháirteach i gcúrsaí deimhnithe, le hiad a éascú isteach i roghanna oideachais fadtéarmach. Rinneadh réimse de thacaíochtaí creidiúnaithe agus gan chreidiúint, a bhí curtha in oiriúint, a fhoinsiú agus a chur ar fáil ar líne den chuid is mó, bunaithe ar riachtanais aitheanta na gcliant agus san áireamh bhí: • Cosc agus Rialú Ionfhabhtuithe.

• Maor Dóiteáin.

• AGPRC L3 & Sláinteachas Bia. • An Chéad Fhreagróir Garchabhrach.

• Láimhseáil agus Aistriú Othair.

• Fás do Bhia Fhéin.

• Iompar Dúshlánach ACE. • Clár: ‘Bí Beo Folláin, Bí Folláin.

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Leis an Chlár um Chuimsiú Sóisialta agus nities Pobail (SICAP) cuireann muid Gníomhachtú mu tacaíochtaí duine le duine saor in aisce agus faoi rún Donegal Local Development CLG. ar fáil do dhaoine a bhfuiláitiúil suim acu pilleadh ar an Forbairt Dhún na nGall oideachas. Tabharfaidh muid tacaíocht duit ar achan chéim ded Thuras Foghlama ar Feadh an tSaoil.

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Support

Tugadh cuidiú do 139 Client ar a dturas Foghlama ar Feadh an tSaoil.

• Bhain 112 client buntáiste as Tacaíochtaí Forbartha agus Oideachais.

• Cuireadh 20 Cúrsa & Ceardlann ar fáil ar líne agus ar an láithreán do chliaint.

• Rinne 40 Client freastal ar Chúrsaí faoi Chosc agus Rialú Ionfhabhtuithe.

Donegal Local Development CLG.

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Forbairt Donegal áitiúil L ocal • Fuair 52 Client Tacaíochtaí Folláine agus Forbairt Development Dhún Phearsanta.C LG. na nGall

Forbairt áitiúil Dhún na nGall

Cé go raibh orainn a dhul i ngleic lena lán dúshlán i 2020 de thairbhe srianta Covid 19 d’éirigh linn tacaíocht a thabhairt dar gcliaint trí a bheith ag díriú isteach, ar an gcuid is mó, ar na riachtanais a bhí ag teacht chun cinn a bhain le forbairt phearsanta, tógáil ar acmhainneacht agus folláine chomh maith le tacaíochtaí le scileanna riachtanacha agus cáilíochtaí creidiúnaithe a fháil.

Fuair 33 Client Cáilíocht QQ1 L3. (Dearbhú Cáilíochta agus Cáilíochtaí Éireann).

Fuair 119 Cliant deimhniú creidiúnaithe gnó.

Chuir muid pacáistí tacaíochta Sláinte agus Folláine ar fáil, eolas ar sheirbhísí riachtanacha agus cuireadh scairteanna rialta chuig ár gcliant ar fad sna ceantair is scaipthe agus is mó atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste sa Ghaeltacht.

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Supporti

Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

Lean muid le tacaíocht do pháistí agus do theaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht ina bhforbairt pearsanta agus ag cuidiú leo fanacht laistigh den chóras oideachais. B’é an cuspóir foriomlán a bhí leis na tionscnaimh seo ná lena chinntiú go dtugtar achan deis do pháistí atá i mbaol rannpháirtíocht iomlán a bheith acu sa chóras oideachais agus lánacmhainneacht a bhaint amach. Rinne muid soláthraithe ar líne a fhoinsiú agus spreag muid agus chuidigh muid lenar gcliaint úsáid a bhaint as tacaíochtaí ar líne.

San áireamh sna gníomhaíochtaí a heagraíodh bhí: • Ceardlanna Iompair Dúshlánacha ACE. • Ceardlanna Tacaíochta do Thuismitheoirí.

• Ranganna Tacaíochta Dyslexia.

• Cúrsaí Faoi Chosaint Páistí.

Thug muid tacaíocht do 112 tairbhí fríd Tacaíochtaí Forbartha agus Oideachais agus le tacaíochtaí chun fanacht i ngníomhaíochtaí an Chórais Oideachais.

Bhí na ceardlanna Tacaíochta 3 seachtaine ar líne do Thuismitheoirí, agus a dhírigh ar shláinte intinne agus folláine, an-tairbhiúil do thuismitheoirí, agus dá réir sin bhí sé tairbhiúil dá dteaghlaigh le linn tréimhse dhúshlánach. Leanfaidh muid ar aghaidh ag obair leis na páirtithe leasmhara ar fad le tacaíochtaí ríthábhachtacha a chur ar fáil do pháistí agus do theaghlaigh amach anseo.

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“ Iontach buíoch go dtiocfadh liom mo cháilíocht, a bhí a dhíth go mór, a fháil ar líne sna hamanna dúshlánacha seo, thig liom anois iarratas a chur isteach ar fhostaíocht nuair a fheabhsaíonn rudaí.”

Fiona - Gaeltacht

“ Is iontach an rud é a bheith ábalta Zúm a úsáid agus ceangal le daoine arís fiú más ar scáileán atá sé’.

Gerry – Gaeltacht

“ Chuir na cúrsaí forbairt phearsanta seo lámh tharrthála ar fáil domhsa le linn ama atá uaigneach agus aisteach” Máire – Gaeltacht

WWW.DLDC.ORG

LIFELONG LEARNING DLDC’s aim is to promote and support access to Lifelong Learning opportunities in the Gaeltacht. The concept of Lifelong Learning is central to our work and we believe that people of all ages and abilities should be able to participate in education at a level appropriate to their needs and abilities. Learning new things: • Makes participants happier • Helps with confidence • Improves chances of finding work • Prepares you for employment Through our Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), we provide free and confidential one to one supports to individuals who are interested in returning to learning. We will support you on every step of your Lifelong Learning Journey to take that first step.

2020 HEADLINERS • 52 Clients received Personal Development & Wellbeing Supports • 139 Clients were assisted on their Lifelong Learning Journey • 112 clients benefitted from Education & Development Supports • 20 Courses & workshops were provided online and onsite for clients.

• 40 Clients attended Infection Prevention & Control Courses

2020 OVERVIEW We supported and encouraged individuals to value and participate in training and understand the importance of lifelong learning. We offered pretraining opportunities to individuals not ready to partake in certified coursed to ease them into longer term education options. We sourced and delivered a range of credited and non-accredited tailored supports based on identified needs of our clients predominately online which included: • Infection Prevention & Control • Fire Warden • HACCP L3 & Food Hygiene

• FAR First Aid Responder • Patient Moving & Handling • Grow Your Own Food • ACE Challenging Behaviour • Live Well Be Well Programme Although we were faced with many challenges due to Covid -19 restrictions in 2020 we successfully supported our clients by mainly focusing on their emerging needs of personal development, building resilience, wellbeing along with supports in obtaining essential skills and accredited qualifications 33 Clients obtained a QQI L3 Qualification 119 Clients received industry accredited certification We also provided Health & Wellbeing support packs, information on essential services and regular calls to all our clients in the most dispersed and disadvantaged areas of the Gaeltacht.

We continued to support children and families in the Gaeltacht in their personal development and assistance to remain within the education system.

The overall aim of these initiatives was to ensure that vulnerable children are given every opportunity to fully partake in the education system and reach their full potential. We sourced online providers and encouraged and assisted our clients to avail of online supports. Actions organised included: • ACE Challenging Behaviour Workshops, • Parent Support Workshops • Dyslexia Support Classes • Safeguarding Children Courses We supported 112 beneficiaries through Education & Development Supports and supports to remain in the Education System actions. The online Parent Support 3-week workshops proved very beneficial to parents which concentrated on mind wellness and wellbeing which in turn benefitted their families through challenging times. We will continue to work with all stake holders to provide vital supports to children and families in the future.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

AN GHAELTACHT & THE ISLANDS Providing Pathways to Self-Employment

SICAP SA GHAELTACHT Bealaigh chun Féinfhostaíocht a Chur ar Fáil.

BEALAIGH CHUN FÉINFHOSTAÍOCHT A CHUR AR FÁIL. Tacaíochtaí a chur ar fáil do dhaoine atá dífhostaithe agus d’oibrithe/ do theaghlaigh ar ísealioncam a bhfuil suim léirithe acu tús a chur lena ngnó fhéin.

Tabharfar cuidiú dóibh ar a dturas agus, sa chás gur féidir, tabharfaidh an Fhoireann Fiontair tacaíochtaí.

Tá forbairt déanta ar réimse tacaíochtaí agus iad curtha in oiriúint le go mbeidh siad ag teacht go rathúil le riachtanais na ndaoine agus leanfaidh muid ag cur na tacaíochtaí seo ar fáil san áit a bhfuil siad riacahtanach. Cuirfidh muid ceardlanna ar fáil fosta ar ábhair atá aitheanta mar limistéir forbraíochta do ghrúpa daoine.

MÓRSCÉALTA 2020.

• Fuair 74 Cliant tacaíochtaí Féinfhostaíochta duine le duine.

• Tugadh tacaíocht do 12 Cliant lena ngnó fhéin a chur ar bun.

• Fuair 54 Cliant réimse de thacaíochtaí leantacha lena n-áirithear: ullmhaigh le do ghnó a fhoscailt, comhairle agus oiliúint ar líne – Leabharchoimeád, Margaíocht agus srl.

• Treoir tugtha ar Threoirlínte Rialtais Covid 19/Rátaí Úra Tráchtála/ Dearbháin Trádáil Ar Líne/ agus Tacaíochtaí Meantóireachta.

• Cuidiú le Mapáil Phobail fá choinne tacaíochtaí ríthábhachtacha a chur ar fáil do dhaoine sa phobal atá i mbaol.

De bharr na ndúshlán a d’fhág a Paindéim Covid-19 leanadh le cuidiú duine le duine a thairiscint do chliaint fríd Zúm agus an guthán, na tacaíochtaí a cuireadh ar fáil ná: • Plean gníomhaíochta pearsanta a fhorbairt.

• Plean Gnó a Ullmhú.

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• Réamh-mheastachán ar shreabhadh airgid a ullmhú.

• Tacaíocht forbartha do Smaoineamh Gnó.

• Teicnící Margaíochta /Tacaíocht na Meáin Shóisialta.

• Teicnící Praghsála.

• Treoir faoi cheanglas dlíthiúil nuair atá gnó a chur ar bun.

• Cuidiú le hIarratais Mhaoiniúcháin.

Cuireadh ar fáil tacaíochtaí leantacha to na cliaint ar fad ar an scéim BTWEA/STEA mar fhreagairt ar na hathruithe/ srianta a bhí i bhfeidhm ó mhí Márta agus a raibh tionchar mór aige ar a ngnó (laghdú trádála nó gan aon thrádáil). Chuir mud ar fáil eolas do chliaint ar thacaíochtaí breise a bhí socraithe do dhaoine a bhí féinfhostaithe: • Eolas faoina n-éilimh/ saincheisteanna chuig BTWEW/COVID. • Iarratas Mhaoiniúcháin ESG. • Ceardlanna folláine agus bileoga folláine.

• Dearbháin thrádála ar líne agus treoirlínte ar rátaí tráchtála úra.

Chuir muid ar fáil na ceardlanna seo a leanas do chliaint ar Scéim BTWEA/STEA i 2020, bunaithe sa seomra ranga (Éan- Márta.) agus fríd Zúm (Aibreán Nollaig).

• Cuir tús le d’Oiliúint Gnó Fhéin.

• Oiliúint faoi Leabharchoimeád.

• Ceardlann Margaíochta/ Meáin Shóisialta 4 seachtaine.

• I gceannas ar do ghnó go dtí an taobh eile de COVID-19.

• Tús eolais faoi Choimeád Taifead dod Ghnó --ceardlann Ar Líne.

• Ceardlann ar Thuairisceán Cánach Bliantúil.

• Athruithe in íocaíocht PUP agus in CBL.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

Bhí cruinniú den Líonra Gnó ann fríd Zúm i mí Meithimh agus rinneadh cliaint BTWEA/STEA a spreagadh le bheith rannpháirteach agus líonrú a dhéanamh fríd duilleog Tacaíochta Gnó an DLDC chun gnó a chur chun cinn agus le tacaíochtaí líonra a chruthú. Lean muid ar aghaidh ag déanamh forbartha ar Líonra Tacaíochta Gnó Ar Líne ar Facebook agus é mar chuspóir cliaint a spreagadh a bheith páirteach, a bheith ag líonrú agus tacaíocht a thabhairt dá chéile. D’úsáid muid an líonra seo fosta le heolas agus le hoiliúint a bhí le theacht do chliaint a fhógairt agus comhairle a thabhairt faoi athruithe ar threoirlínte agus ar thacaíochtaí Rialtais.

“ Bhí an t-eolas agus na treoirlínte faoi thacaíochtaí a bhí ar fáil do mo ghnósa le “ Bhí an t-eolas agus na treoirlínte faoi linn na chéad dianghlasála thar a bheith thacaíochtaí a bhí ar fáil do mo ghnósa le tábhachtach domhsa chun déileáil le linn na chéad dianghlasála thar a bheith neamhchinnteacht agus le dúshláin na tábhachtach domhsa chun déileáil le Paindéime. ” neamhchinnteacht agus le dúshláin na Pádraig - Gaeltacht Paindéime. ” Pádraig - Gaeltacht

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

PROVIDING PATHWAYS TO SELF-EMPLOYMENT Providing supports for unemployed individuals and low-income workers/households who have expressed an interest in starting their own business.

They will be assisted on their journey and where possible supports will be delivered/provided by the Enterprise Team. A range of supports have been tailored and developed to successfully meet the needs of individuals and we will continue to provide these supports where required. We will also provide workshops on topics that have been identified as an area of development for a collective group of individuals.

Follow up supports were provided to all clients on the BTWEA/STEA scheme in response to the changes/restrictions that were put in place since March 2020 that had a huge impact on their business (ceased or reduced trading). We provided information to clients on additional supports that were in place for self-employed people which included: • Information in relation to their BTWEA/ COVID claims/issues • ESG Funding applications • Wellbeing leaflets and Wellbeing workshops • Online trading vouchers and new commercial rates guidelines

2020 HEADLINERS • 74 Clients received one to one Self Employment supports • 12 Clients were supported into starting their own business • 54 clients received a range of follow-up supports including; prepare to open your business advice and online training – Book Keeping, Marketing etc.

• Guidance provided on Covid-19 Government Guidelines/ New Commercial Rates /Trading Online Vouchers and Mentoring Supports.

• Assisted in Community Mapping to provide vital supports to vulnerable individuals in the community.

Due to the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 Pandemic one to one assistance continued to be offered to clients via Zoom and telephone, supports that were provided were: • Development of Personal Action Plans • Preparation of business plans • Preparation of cash flow projections • Business Idea development support • Marketing Techniques / Social Media support • Pricing techniques • Guidance on legal requirements when setting up a business • Assistance with Funding Applications

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We delivered the following workshops for clients on the BTWEA/STEA Scheme in 2020 classroom based (Jan-March) and via Zoom (April – December) • Start Your Own Business Training • Book Keeping Training • 4-week marketing/social media workshop • Leading your business beyond COVID 19 • Introduction to Record Keeping for Your Business – Online workshop • Annual Tax Return Workshop • Changes to PUP Payment & VAT The Business Network meeting took place via zoom in June and BTWEA/STEA clients were encouraged to join and network through the DLDC Business Support page in order to promote business and create networking supports. We continued to develop the online Business Support Network on Facebook with the aim of encouraging clients to engage, network and support each other. We also used this network to advertise upcoming information events and training available to clients and to advise on changes on government supports & guidelines.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

AN GHAELTACHT & THE ISLANDS Employment Supports

SICAP SA GHAELTACHT Tacaíochtaí Fostaíochta.

TACAÍOCHTAÍ FOSTAÍOCHTA.

MÓRSCÉALTA 2020

Tá muid dírithe ar chuidiú a thabhairt do Dhaoine Óga atá Dífhostaithe agus Faoi Mhíbhuntáiste ag aois 15—24 a bhfuil tacaíochtaí a dhíth orthu le dul chun cinn isteach i bhfostaíocht. Leag muid síos próisis a chuidíonn linn tacaíocht a thabhairt do dhaoine atá i mbaol agus ar an imeall mar atá: iadsan atá dífhostaithe go fadtéarmach, daoine dífhostaithe nach bhfuil ar an bheochlár, mná faoi mhíbhuntáiste sa teach, daoine ag síniú le haghaidh creidmheasa, daoine óga agus daoine atá faoi mhíchumas agus daoine nach bhfuil fostaithe rómhinic. Cuireann muid tacaíochtaí ar fáil fosta do rannpháirtithe a bhíonn ag fágáil Scéimeanna Fostaíochta Pobail, tá forbairt déanta ar réimse tacaíochtaí agus iad curtha in oiriúint le tabhairt faoi riachtanais daoine go rathúil agus cuireann muid ceardlanna ar fáil le cuidiú leis na cliaint ar a dturas aistrithe ó dhífhostaíocht go fostaíocht.

• Fuair 84 tairbhí tacaíochtaí don mhargadh fostaíochta duine le duine.

• Tugadh cuidiú do 21 tairbhí fanacht ina gcuid oibre le tacaíochtaí leanúnacha san obair.

• Tacaíodh le fostóirí le cur chuige earcaíochta níos ionchuimsithí a bheith acu tríd Liosta Poist agus ceardlanna Forbairt Fostaithe..

• D’aistrigh 19 tairbhí a bhí ar ísealioncam go fostaíocht a bhí níos inbhuanaithe agus de chaighdeán níos fearr.

• Cuidiú le Mapáil Phobail le tacaíochtaí ríthábhachtacha a chur ar fáil do dhaoine sa phobal atá i mbaol.

Thig linn cuidiú a thabhairt do dhaoine atá ina n-oibrithe páirtaimseartha nó nach mbíonn fostaithe rómhinic, cinntíonn muid go mbíonn muid i dteagmháil le daoine atá i bhfostaíocht ísealioncaim páirtaimseartha. Tacaíonn muid le daoine lena chinntiú gur shroich siad barr a gcumais ina bhfostaíocht agus fosta le deiseanna a chur ar fáil lena scileanna infhostaitheachta a fhorbairt.

FORLÉARGAS 2020.

• Rinneadh forbairt ar Liosta Poist do Dheiseanna Fostaíochta agus cuireadh é ar Leathanach Facebook an DLDC agus ar Shuíomh Gréasáin an DLDC achan Chéadaoin.

• Tugadh tacaíochtaí fostaíochta do dhaoine a chaill a bpoist de thairbhe géarchéim Covid-19.

• Chuidigh muid leo sin ab fhaide ar shiúl ón mhargadh fostaíochta le tacaíochtaí fostaíochta.

• Chuir muid tacaíochtaí fostaíochta duine le duine ar fáil do chliaint úra agus do chliaint atá ansin, araon, ar a dturas aistrithe ó gan a bheith fostaithe go fostaíocht.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

• Tugadh cuidiú do dhaoine le: Cuardach Oibre, Litir Mhínithe, Ag Cur CV le Chéile, Ullmhú d’Agallamh agus Agallaimh Bhréige.

• Tugadh Dhá Cheardlann Tacaíochta Fostaíochta do Rannpháirtithe ar Scéimeanna Fostaíochta Pobail.

• Tugadh Ceardlann Tacaíochta Fostaíochta do Mhic Léinn 5ú Bliain i nGairmscoil Mhic Diarmada ar Oileán Árainn Mhór mar chomhthionscnamh le DEASP. • Rinne muid forbairt, eagrú agus fógraíocht ar ár gcúrsa oiliúna ‘Forbairt Fostaithe/Ullmhú d’Fhostaíocht’ , san áireamh sna modúil bhí an dóigh le hullmhú d’Agallamh Gutháin/ Zúm, CV a eagrú agus Scileanna Agallaimh.

• Chuir muid Clinicí For-rochtana ar fáil ar fud an Chontae roimh an dianghlasáil.

• Chuir muid naisc chuig cliaint do chúrsaí ar líne saor in aisce lena gcuid ama a úsáid.

• Cuireadh le chéile Físeán Tacaíochtaí Fostaíochta le seirbhísí a chur chun cinn.

• Thairg muid Clár Oiliúna Fit2Work do chliaint ar líne, chlúdaigh sé Scileanna Pearsanta, Scileanna Gairme agus Scileanna Ríomhaire agus bhí 50 uair d’oiliúint ar líne i gceist leis an oiliúint seo.

• Rinneadh agallamh le Raidió na Gaeltachta ag cur chun cinn caidé a bhí a thairiscint ag Foireann Tacaíochtaí Fostaíochta an DLDC le linn na paindéime.

• Cuireadh tacaíochtaí ar fáil do dhaoine a chaill a gcuid poist nó a bhí ar an Scéim Fóirdheontais Pá.

• Chuaigh muid i dteagmháil le daoine a bhí bhfostaíocht pháirtaimseartha nó ar phá íseal chun fostaíocht de chaighdeán níos airde a chur chun cinn.

• Thug muid tacaíocht do dhaoine lena chinntiú gur shroich siad barr a gcumais ina gcuid oibre agus fosta le deiseanna a chur ar fáil lena scileanna infhostaitheacht a fhorbairt.

• Lean muid leis an fhorbairt ar chaidreamh fiúntach a dhéanamh le fostóirí.

• Reáchtáladh Ceardlann Forbairt Fostaithe ar dhá iarraidh d’fhoireann fostóra bhig áitiúil le cuidiú uasoiliúint a dhéanamh ar an fhoireann agus chuaigh seo go mór ‘un tairbhe don fhostóir agus do na fostaithe.

• Fuair 28 duine fostaíocht mar thoradh ar an ghníomh seo i 2020.

“Buíochas ó chroí as ucht an obair uilig a chur tú isteach ar na cleachtaí ceisteanna dom agus as an agallamh trialach inniu.

Bhí sé ina chuidiú mhór! Go raibh maith agat as an chomhairle uilig” Aisling - Gaeltacht EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS Our focus is to assist Unemployed and Disadvantaged Young People aged 15-24 requiring supports to progress into employment. We put in place processes that help us support individuals who are below the normal radar such as the long term unemployed, unemployed not on the live register, disadvantaged women in the home, people signing for credits, young people and people with disabilities and the under-employed. We also provide supports to participants exiting Community Employment schemes, a range of supports have been developed and tailored to successfully meet

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WWW.DLDC.ORG

the needs of individuals and we provide workshops which are delivered to help clients on their transition journey from unemployment to employment.

We can support Individuals who are part-time workers or under-employed, we ensure that we engage with individuals who are in low paid, parttime employment. We support individuals to ensure they reach their full potential in employment and to also provide opportunities to develop their employability skills.

2020 HEADLINERS • 84 Beneficiaries received one to one labour market supports • 21 Beneficiaries were assisted to remain in work through ongoing in-work supports • 19 Beneficiaries on low income moved into more sustainable and better quality employment.

• Employers were supported to have a more inclusive approach to recruitment, via • Jobs List & Employee Development workshops.

• Assisted in Community Mapping to provide vital supports to vulnerable individuals in the community.

2020 OVERVIEW • The Employment Opportunities Jobs List was developed and went live on the DLDC Facebook Page and DLDC Website every Wednesday.

• Employment supports were provided to Individuals who lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 crisis.

• We helped those most distant from the labour market with employment supports.

• We provided 1-1 employment supports to both new and existing clients on their transition journey from unemployment to employment.

• Individuals were helped with Job Searching, Cover Letter, CV Building, Interview Preparation and Mock Interviews.

• Two Employment Supports Workshops were delivered to CE Scheme Participants.

• An Employment Supports Workshop was delivered to 5th Year Students at Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada on Arranmore Island as a joint initiative with the DEASP. • We developed, organised and advertised our training course “Employee Development/Preparing for Employment”, modules included how to prepare for a telephone/Zoom Interview, CV preparation and Interview Skills.

• We provided Outreach Clinics throughout the Gaelta prior to lockdown.

• We sent links to clients for free online courses to help utilise their time.

• An Employment Supports Video was made to promote our services.

• We offered clients an online Fit 2 Work Training Programme which covered Personal Skills, Career Skills and Computer Skills, training consisted of 50 hours online training.

• Participated in an Interview on Radio na Gaeltachta promoting what the DLDC Employment Supports Team had to offer during the pandemic.

• Provided supports to individuals who lost their jobs or were on the Wage Subsidy Scheme.

• We engaged with individuals who were in low paid or part-time employment to help promote better quality employment for them.

• We supported individuals to ensure they reached their full potential in their employment and also provided opportunities to develop their employability skills.

• We continued to develop quality relationships with employers.

• Employee Development Workshops were delivered on two occasions to staff for a local employer to help upskill staff which proved to be of great benefit to both the employer and the employee.

• 28 Individuals progressed into employment as a result of this action in 2020.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

AN GHAELTACHT & THE ISLANDS Community Development

SICAP SA GHAELTACHT Forbairt Pobail

FORBAIRT POBAIL Tá sé mar chuspóir againn tacaíocht a thabhairt do phobail agus don earnáil dheonach a dhul i ngleic le bochtaineacht, eisiamh sóisialta agus ceisteanna comhionannais fríd teagmháil áitiúil, comhpháirtíocht le gníomhaireachtaí eile agus tré a bheith ag tógáil ar acmhainneacht na gcoistí áitiúla agus na n-oibrithe deonacha agus ar an dóigh seo pobail níos inbhuanaithe a chruthú.

Oibríonn muid le coistí áitiúla agus le hoibrithe deonacha, agus forbairt pobail ón bhun aníos mar chur chuige againn, le tacaíochtaí a chur ar fáil go díreach le hacmhainneacht bhall na gcoistí agus na n-oibrithe deonacha, a dhéanann ionadaíocht nó a oibríonn le pobail atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste agus spriocghrúpaí Chlár SICAP, a fhorbairt. Tré bheith ag cur comhairle agus treoir ar fáil do ghrúpaí, tré bheith ag comhroinnt dea-chleachtais agus a bheith ag cuidiú leo fás agus forbairt méadóidh muinín agus suaimhneas na n-oibrithe deonacha ar an eolas go bhfuil DLDC ansin chun tacaíocht a thabhairt dóibh le rialúchán agus comhlíonadh. Tugtar cluas éisteachta dóibh, comhairle phraiticiúil, treoir agus saineolas chun tacú leo neartú agus dul chun cinn.

• Rinneadh 6 Cheardlann Forbartha a chomhordú fríd Zúm agus fríd chláir ar líne faoi Thionscnamh Tacaíochta Fiontar Sóisialta (SESI) chun tacú le fiontair atá ansin cheana fhéin.

• Rinneadh Cleachtadh Mapála Pobail a chur chun cinn mar pháirt de Phlean Freagartha Pobail COVID 19 Dhún na nGall – léarscáil dhigiteach cruthaithe agus uasdátaithe ar an dóigh chéanna.

• Rinne Gréasán Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh agus Páiste an Iarthuaiscirt Eolaire Pobail Iarthuaiscirt Dhún na nGall a sheoladh, thig leagan digiteach a íoslódáil ar www.dldc.org.

MÓRSCÉALTA 2020 • Fuair 13 Grúpa Pobail Áitiúil tacaíochtaí ó Chiste Freagartha Pobail COVID 19. .

• Tugadh tacaíocht do 12 GPA’nna fríd iarratais CRA agus Cód Rialaithe agus cuireadh meantóireacht agus tacaíocht phearsanta ar fáil dóibh.

• Tugadh tacaíocht do 20 GPA ag a raibh riachtanais ar leith, le go gcomhlíonfadh siad cuspóirí forbartha.

• Tugadh tacaíocht do 3 GPA faoin tionscnamh Éigeandála Réigiúnach Scamall Bia Freagairt Bia.

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FORLÉARGAS 2020.

Ciste Freagartha Pobail COVID 19 –Nuair a fuair Covid-19 greim anseo ag tús mí an Mhárta 2020 d’aithin SICAP an gá a bhí ann tacú leis na pobail, ag dul i dteagmháil leosan sna pobail is mó a bhí i mbaol ar dtús agus tré dhul i ngleic le seo rinne muid na gníomhartha uilig a athdhíriú. Tugadh tacaíocht

WWW.DLDC.ORG

do 13 grúpa pobail le cuidiú lena dtionscnaimh freagartha pobail. Bhí PPE agus soláthraí Bia agus Pacáistiú Bia ar chuid de na tacaíochtaí a cuireadh ar fáil.

• A aithint go soiléir cad é na tacaíochtaí breise a thiocfadh le DLDC a thairiscint d’oibrithe áitiúla deonacha le cuidiú leo a gcuid tionscnamh a sholáthar.

D’fhreagair grúpaí Pobail agus Deonacha go tapaidh do na riachtanais ina bpobail agus chuaigh siad i gceann oibre láithreach ag líonrú le heagraíochtaí eile m.sh s, Gardaí, Cumainn Naomh Uinseann de Pól, An Post agus altraí Pobail, le bheith ag obair i gcomhar chun seirbhísí riachtanacha a thabhairt chuig tithe na ndaoine a bhí ag neadú agus chucusan sa phobal a bhí i mbaol.

Nuair a rinneadh na ceantair ina raibh bearnaí a aithint, rinneadh teagmháil le grúpaí freagartha in aice láimhe chun ceangal a dhéanamh leis an cheantar a bhí i gceist. Sampla amháin de seo ab ea ceantar Bhaile na Finne áit a ndearnadh ceangal le foireann freagartha na nGleanntach, a fuair, dá réir sin, oibrithe deonacha i gceantar Bhaile na Finne agus cheangail siad leo ar a nGrúpa WhatsApp do Fhreagairt Covid, le seirbhís tacaíochta phobail chomhoibritheach a chur ar fáil.

Tionscadal Mapála Luath an DLDC : Ag comhshnaidhmeadh cur chuige forbartha pobail chun rannpháirtíocht na bpobal atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste a bhaint amach, chruthaigh foireann SICAP léarscáil de na tacaíochtaí agus na seirbhísí a rinne an earnáil Phobail agus Deonach a fhorbairt mar fhreagairt ar COVID 19 ar fud Dhún na nGall.

B’iad na cuspóirí ná: • Sonraí faoi na tacaíochtaí agus na seirbhísí a bhí ar fáil a rann le baill na bPobal áitiúil, go háirithe iadsan a bhí uaigneach nó ag neadú.

• Bearnaí sa tseirbhís a aithint – ceantair nach raibh fáil ar chuid nó ar achan chineál seirbhísí.

CÁS-STAIDÉAR

Rinneadh Treoir d’Eagraíochtaí Pobail ar Philleadh ar an Obair a fhorbairt lena raibh treoirlínte céim ar chéim ar na próisis, na polasaithe agus ar na modhanna oibre arbh éigean dóbhtha a bheith socraithe roimh an athoscailt .

Freagairt Bhia Éigeandála Réigiúnach – Chuir SICAP G1 i gcomhpháirtíocht le Banc Bia We Care i Leitir Ceanainn iarratas isteach chuig Foodcloud le soláthar bulc-bhia a fháil le dhul i ngleic leis an riachtanas i nDún na nGall. Tugadh soláthairtí chuig Banc Bia an Fháil Charraigh, Ionad Naomh Pádraig agus Togra Fiontair agus Cultúir Uladh.

Tacú le Gaoth Dobhair: Thug SICAP tacaíocht do Chomhoibriú idir ceithre eagraíocht i bParóiste Ghaoth Dobhair mar comhfhreagra ar COVID 19 -Ionad Naomh Pádraig/Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair/Ionad PobaiI Chnoc Fola/Coiste Forbartha Dhún Lúiche.

Thug SICAP tacaíocht don chomhoibriú tré seo a chur ar fáil: • Cuidiú le hoibrithe deonacha a earcú agus deachleachtas.

• An grúpa a threorú chun a theacht ar mhaoiniú chun cuidiú le comhfhreagra.

• Cuidiú ó chiste freagartha Pobail COVID 19 an DLDC. • Comharthaíocht, teimpléid agus treoirlínte.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

2020 OVERVIEW

Our aim is to support communities and the voluntary sector in addressing poverty, social exclusion and equality issues through local engagement, partnerships with other agencies and by building the capacity of local committees and volunteers thereby creating more sustainable communities. We work with local committees and volunteers using a community development bottom-up approach to provide direct supports to develop the capacity of their committee members and volunteers who represent or work with disadvantaged communities and target groups of the SICAP Programme. By providing advice and guidance to groups, sharing good practice and helping them grow and develop the volunteers will gain confidence and reassurance with the knowledge that DLDC are there to support them with regulation and compliance. They receive a listening ear, practical advice, guidance and expertise to support them strengthen and progress.

COVID 19 Community Response Fund – When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in early March 2020, SICAP recognised the need to support communities engaging with the most vulnerable in society and in addressing this we re-focused all actions. A total of 13 community groups were supported to assist with their community response initiatives. PPE, Food Packaging and Food supplies were some of the supports provided.

2020 HEADLINERS • 13 Local Community Groups received supports from the COVID 19 Community Response Fund.

• 12 LCGs were supported through CRA Applications & Governance Code and provided with mentoring and personal support.

• 20 LCGS were supported with specific needs to meet development objectives.

• 3 LCGs were supported under the Regional Emergency Food Response Food Cloud imitative.

• 6 Development workshops were coordinated through zoom and online platforms under the Social Enterprise Support Initiative (SESI) to support existing enterprises • Community Mapping Exercise was progressed as part of the COVID 19 Donegal Community Response Plan – a digital map created and updated similarly.

• The North West Donegal Community Directory was launched by the North West Child & Family Support Network, digital version is available to download on www.dldc.org

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Community and Voluntary groups were quick to respond to the need in their communities and immediately went about networking with other organisations i.e., GAA, Gardaí, SVPs, An Post, Community nurses to work collaboratively in providing essential services to the homes of those cocooning and the vulnerable in society.

DLDC Early Mapping Project: Incorporating a community development approach to achieve participation of disadvantaged communities, the SICAP team developed a map of the supports and services developed by the Community & Voluntary sector in response to COVID 19 throughout Donegal.

The objectives were to: • Share details of the supports and services available to members of the local Communities, particularly to those isolating or cocooning.

• Identify gaps in service– areas where some or all types of services were not available.

• Clearly identify what additional supports DLDC could offer local volunteers to assist them to deliver their initiatives.

On identifying gap areas, contact was made with neighbouring response groups to reach out to that area. One example of this was the Fintown area, where contact was made with Glenties response team, who in turn sourced volunteers in the Fintown area and connected with them on their COVID Response WhatsApp group to provide a collaborated community support service.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

A guide for Community Organisations on Returning to Work was developed with step-by-step guidelines on the processes, policies and procedures which needed to be in place prior to reopening.

Regional Emergency Food Response – SICAP G1 in partnership with We Care Foodbank in Letterkenny submitted an application to Foodcloud to source a bulk food supply to address the need in Donegal.

Supplies were delivered to Falcarragh foodbank, Ionad Naomh Pádraig and Togra Fiontar & Cultúr Uladh.

CASE STUDY Tacú le Gaoth Dobhair: SICAP supported a Collaboration of four organisations in the parish of Gweedore as a collective response to COVID 19 Ionad Naomh Pádraig/Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair/Ionad Pobal Chnoc Fola/Coiste Forbartha Dhún Lúiche.

• SICAP supported the collaboration by providing: • Assistance with Volunteer recruitment & best practice • Signpost guidance to group to access funds to enable a collective response • Assistance from DLDC COVID 19 Community response fund • COVID 19 Signage, Templates and guidelines.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

AN GHAELTACHT & THE ISLANDS Donegal Volunteer Centre

SICAP SA GHAELTACHT Ionad Saorálaithe Dhún na nGall

IONAD SAORÁLAITHE DHÚN NA NGALL I 2009 rinneadh Ionad Saorálaithe Dhún na nGall a ghlacadh isteach in Oibrithe Deonacha na hÉireann VI, an eagraíocht forbartha dheonach náisiúnta. Tá an tIonad tiomanta chun oibriú go deonach i gCo. Dhún na nGall a chur chun cinn, a bhrú ‘un tosaigh agus tacaíocht a thabhairt dó. Ó cuireadh ar bun é tá forbairt tagtha ar an Ionad Saorálaithe sa mhéid go bhfuil sé ina sheirbhís d’oibriú deonach ar fud an Chontae. Sa lá atá inniu ann tá an tIonad Saorálaithe mar pháirt de ghréasán Náisiúnta VI lena n-áirítear 22 Ionad Saorálaithe agus 7 seirbhís eolais dheonacha. Tá an tIonad Saorálaithe cistithe ag an Roinn Forbairt Pobail agus Tuaithe agus faoi bhainistiú an DLDC.

MÓRSCÉALTA IONAD SAORÁLAITHE DHÚN NA NGALL 2020 • 629 oibrí deonach úr earcaithe i 2020, sprioc bhliantúil 300—210% den sprioc bhliantúil.

• Bronnadh 49 Gradam ME4U, ag tabhairt aitheantais, ag tabhairt buíochais agus ag ceiliúradh na n-oibrithe deonacha agus na ngrúpaí ar fud Chontae Dhún na nGall.

• Tugadh tacaíochtaí Covid-19 do níos mó ná 400 grúpa ar fud Dhún na nGall lena n-áirítear earcú oibrithe deonacha, treoir ar cheisteanna Covid-19, oiliúint ar mheasúnú riosca, prótacail ghlantacháin Covid19, an dóigh le himeachtaí pobail a reáchtáil le linn na paindéime agus úsáid na teicneolaíochta ar líne le Pobail a cheangal agus ioncam a ghiniúint.

• Tacaíocht tugtha do ghrúpaí -- Téigh ag Siopadóireacht agus Fág-- ar fud Dhún na nGall, le hoibrithe deonacha, treoir, ceisteanna forbartha an ghrúpa agus tacaíochtaí le grinnfhiosrúchán an Gharda Síochána.

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Ionaid Saorálaithe Dhún na nGall DONEGAL

• I bpáirtnéireacht le Grúpa Tacaíochta Dhún na nGall do Lucht Iarrtha Tearmainn le bréagáin Nollag a bhailiú do Lucht Iarrtha Tearmainn i nDún na nGall agus níos faide ó bhaile.

DONEGAL VOLUNTEER CENTRE In 2009 Donegal Volunteer Centre became affiliated with Volunteer Ireland VI, the national volunteer development organisation. The Centre is committed to promoting, supporting and advancing volunteering in County Donegal.

Since its establishment the Volunteer Centre has grown to be a countywide service for volunteering in Donegal. Today the Volunteer Centre is part of the National VI network which includes 22 Volunteer Centres and 7 Volunteer Information Services.

The Volunteer Centre is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and managed

by DLDC.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

DONEGAL VOLUNTEER CENTRE KEY POINTS 2020 • Recruited 629 new volunteers in 2020, Annual target 300: 210% of annual target • Presented 49 ME4U Awards recognizing, thanking & celebrating volunteers and groups from across County Donegal • Delivered Covid 19 supports to more than 400 groups across Donegal, including volunteer recruitment, guidance on Covid-19 issues, training

on risk assessments, Covid-19 cleaning protocols, how to deliver community events during the pandemic and the use of online technologies for Community connections and revenue generation.

• Supported the Shop & Drop groups across Donegal, with volunteers, guidance, group development issues and Garda vetting supports.

• Partnered with the Donegal Asylum Seeker Support Group in a Christmas Toy Collection for Asylum Seekers in Donegal and beyond.

AN GHAELTACHT & THE ISLANDS SICAP SA GHAELTACHT Fiontar Sóisialta FIONTAR SÓISIALTA I gcomhthéacs chlár SICAP, tugann muid tacaíocht d’fhiontair shóisialta chun: • seirbhísí a sholáthar do spriocghrúpaí SICAP. • fostaíocht a chruthú i bhfiontair shóisialta agus na poist agus na hoibriúcháin atá ansin a choinneáil.

• deiseanna d’oibrithe deonacha chomh maith le deiseanna fostaíochta agus traenála a chur ar fáil do spriocghrúpaí SICAP.

MÓRSCÉALTA 2020 Thug muid tacaíocht do 25 fiontar sóisialta ina raibh dian idirghabháil duine le duine – an líon is airde fiontar sóisialta ar thug an DLDC tacaíocht dó a riamh.

• Chríochnaigh 31 fiontar sóisialta cleamhnaithe le DLDC Tionscnamh Tacaíochta Fiontar Sóisialta (SESI) dianchlár meantóireachta agus oiliúna 6 mhí.

• D’éirigh leis na hocht ngrúpa seo a leanas tacaíocht a fháil le maoiniú seachtrach a dheimhniú dá bhfiontar sóisialta: Cadhc Chill Chartha, Playmatters, Teach na mBocht, Dún Fionnachaidh, Ionad Pobail Bhun Dobhráin, Togra Fiontar agus Cultúr Uladh, Ionad Ghleann na Finne agus Ionad Fiontair Pobail Craoibhín.

Social Enterprise

CÁS-STAIDÉAR: CADHCANNA CHILL CHARTHA. Tháinig baill den phobal i gceantar Chill Chartha chugainn a raibh suim acu dul i ngleic leis an easpa áiseanna agus deiseanna fostaíochta do dhaoine óga a bhí sa cheantar. Chonaic siad go raibh deis ansin d’ionad cadhcála le haghaidh a thabhairt ar na riachtanais seo tré chaitheamh aimsire malartach a thabhairt do dhaoine óga chomh maith le hionad ina bhféadfaí daoine óga a fhostú ar bhonn páirtaimseartha le linn an tSamhraidh. Thug muid tacaíocht don ghrúpa plean straitéiseach, plean gnó agus plean airgeadais a chur le chéile. Thug muid tacaíocht dóibh fosta iarratas cistithe mór náisiúnta a chur isteach óna bhfuair siad €34,000 chun an tIonad a fhorbairt agus chun cadhcanna a cheannacht agus trealamh eile atá bainteach leis.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE In the context of the SICAP Programme, we support social enterprises to: • Deliver services to SICAP target groups • Create jobs in social enterprises and sustain existing jobs and operations • Provide training, employment or volunteering opportunities for SICAP target groups 51

Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

2020 HEADLINERS • We supported 25 social enterprises with one-toone, intensive interventions - the highest number of social enterprises DLDC has ever supported in a calendar year.

• 31 DLDC affiliated social enterprises completed the Social Enterprise Support Initiative (SESI), an intensive 6-month training and mentoring programme.

CASE STUDY

Kilcar Kayaks

We were approached by community members in the Kilcar area who were interested in addressing the issue of a lack of amenities and employment opportunities for young people in the area. They had identified an opportunity for a kayaking centre to address these needs by providing an alternative outlet for young people as well as a centre which could employ young people on a part-time basis during the Summer. We supported the group to write a strategic plan, a business plan and a financial plan. We also supported them to write and submit a large national funding application for which they secured €34,000 to develop the centre and purchase kayaks and related equipment.

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• The following 8 groups were supported to secure external funding for their social enterprise Kilcar Kayaks, Playmatters, The Workhouse, Dunfanaghy, Bundoran Community Centre, Togra Fiontar agus Cultúr Uladh, Finn Valley Centre and Craoibhin Community Enterprise Centre.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

SCHEMES DEPARTMENT – TÚS DLDC’s Schemes Department, employs 10 supervisors and supports 240 participants on the Tús programme.

Tús is a participant led programme which provides short-term quality working opportunities for 19.5 hours per week to those who have been longterm unemployed.

• Drama Facilitator • Kitchen Assistant • General Assistant Participants gain valuable work experience while building on existing skills and also acquiring new skills.

KEY ACTIONS 2020 • 240 Tús participants were supported by 10 supervisors in 160 Community Groups • Provided support to 95 active Community Groups so they could continue to function efficiently throughout the pandemic • 153 Participants received training in accredited Manual Handling & 58 received Lawnmower/ Strimmer Training certificates • Funding provided of approx. €58,000 for participants & community groups • Provided support to local community groups aiding them with the knowledge on how to comply with the HSA Guidelines • 24 participants progressed into employment

The programme offers a wide variety of placements with Community, Voluntary and Not for Profit organisations, examples are detailed below.

• Maintenance & Caretaking • Environmental work • Administrative/Clerical work/Receptionist • Childcare Assistant • Youth work • Retail Assistant • Social Care/Bus Escort • Community Development Work • Sports coaching • Gardening 53

Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK

“The TÚS Programme supported and provided me with part time employment after being unemployed for so long. I am now Community Health Project Administrator for CAWT with DLDC, a role that has helped me regain my confidence and develop my skillset. I have also had the opportunity to attain new skills which has benefited me greatly. I am forever grateful for this experience and Tús’s continued support.”

Aileen has since secured part-time employment with DLDC

Aileen, Community Health Project Administrator, DLDC “I love working on the Tús scheme, to see the impact our work has on the village is so rewarding” Jane, Swilly Fly Angling Association, Rathmullan

“For the last year I had a great time working for DLDC. My position was related to IT support with elements of software development. I had the opportunity to learn and work at the same time which gave me hands-on experience of daily IT support.

It was a privilege for me participating in Tús programme at DLDC Letterkenny and I recommend everybody to participate on Tús .”

Artur has since secured employment in IT development in Croatia

Artur, IT, DLDC

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“I have been on the Tús scheme since September and am absolutely loving it. Donna was very helpful in placing me in Dunfanaghy Community Playhouse, and has been an amazing support since. I am very well looked after and supported, especially through these Covid-19times. I’m very lucky to be on this scheme and really glad to be having such a positive experience.”

Alison, Dunfanaghy Community Playhouse FROM OUR COMMUNITY GROUPS “The importance of the TUS workers is vital to the economic, business and tourism related prosperity of our communities and without them the towns would suffer dramatically and a town like Bundoran would not be in a good shape. The workers show a lot of pride in their work and they are doing a fantastic job, whatever task they are given.

Michael, Bundoran Tidy Towns

WWW.DLDC.ORG

FROM OUR COMMUNITY GROUPS

“The support given to us by Karen and DLDC through the Tús scheme makes a world of difference to our organisation. It helps us broaden our impact, provide greater opportunities to people in the community, and enhance our service offering to the public. We have benefitted massively from the Tús scheme over the past number of years.”

Declan, Manager, Milford & District Resource CLG “We have had many Tús workers in Cara House over the years and have found them to be hardworking, dedicated and reliable members of our team. As a social enterprise, we have been happy to offer work to them when we could and just wish this could happen more often. We do provide them with as many opportunities as we can. It is hard to see dedicated team players have to leave at the end of a year but provide them with references that should help them move forward.”

Susan, Cara House, Letterkenny “Our Association have, for years, sponsored candidates on the Tús and RSS schemes. We view these schemes as invaluable and are totally reliant on the participants. Their service means we can function as an angling body for local and visiting anglers alike. Their duties include maintenance of angling boats, access roads and pathways along the banks of the rivers Lackagh and Owencarrow.

We are delighted that in some small way we are of assistance to them and do assist in providing any necessary training.”

Paddy, Secretary, Creeslough & District Angling Association

“The people who work on the projects are essential to us on several fronts - to provide coaching in schools - allow us to grow the programme so hundreds of children can participate - assist in the administration of Schools and Academy Without the assistance of DLDC and the schemes participants, we could not continue to expand nor run the programme” John, Finn Harps Academy “I just want to acknowledge the support we receive from the schemes and Donegal Local Development Company. This support is so vital to St. Vincent de Paul as we strive to assist the community. We are very grateful for their professional assistance.”

Mary, Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop, Castlefin “I would like to say how important the Tús participants have been to us at Lifford Old Courthouse over the last number of years. In particular, over the last year having the Tús participants has allowed us to set up a meals on wheels service for the elderly and vulnerable in the local community. Without the support of the Tús programme we would have been unable to continue this valuable service.”

Gillian, Manager, Lifford Old Courthouse 55

Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

SCHEMES DEPARTMENT - RURAL SOCIAL SCHEME (RSS) DLDC employs 138 Rural Social Scheme participants and 6 supervisors supporting over 88 community and voluntary groups in over 50 villages and towns in Donegal The purpose of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is to provide • Income support for farmers and fishermen/women who are currently in receipt of means assessed long-term social welfare payments.

• Provide services of benefit to rural communities by harnessing the skills and talents available among low-income farmers and fishermen.

Participants on the scheme work 19.5 hours per week and undertake a variety of working roles such as: • Caretaking/cleaning • Environmental work • Administrative/Clerical work/ Receptionists • Childcare

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• Youth work • Retail Assistants • Kitchen Assistants • Provide services of benefit to rural communities by harnessing the skills and talents available among low-income farmers and fishermen.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2020 • 137 participants were supported by 6 supervisors • Supported 88 Community Groups in over 50 villages and towns so they could continue to function efficiently • 90 Participants received training in Manual Handling and 72 received Lawnmower/Strimmer Training • Funding provided of approx. €48,000 to participants & community groups • Supported Community Groups with the Community Hands Team and Community Van

WWW.DLDC.ORG

PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK

“I thoroughly enjoy working on the RSS. It gives me the opportunity to do what I love most which is working in an outdoor setting.

The RSS also gave me new confidence and opportunities that I did not know I could reach. The RSS working hours are 19.5 in the week. These hours fit very well into my daily farming routine. I have a routine of farming, RSS and home life. I have a good balance there.”

Martina successfully obtained her CSCS 360 excavator Card – digger ticket.

Martina, Environmental Worker, Lough Swilly Sea Angling Association “The various schemes made available to Curragh Ath FC via DLDC has been and still is invaluable to us. These schemes provide vital support giving clubs in rural areas the opportunity to grow and enhance their facilities, providing an outlet for the youth in our community. We feel our progress would have been hindered if not for these schemes. We thank the DLDC and their Supervisors for their continued support and loyalty to our club.”

John, Curragh Ath FC

“I am a youth leader in the local youth club and being on the Rural Social Scheme has allowed me to be more involved in the community over the years by meeting individuals through groups by working with the Forge through my placement. It’s also opened up new opportunities for future employment with the skills and confidence I’ve gained working with the Rural Social Scheme Richard, Administration & Youth Work, Forge Family Resource Centre, Pettigo “I enjoy the balance of being able to care for my animals and the farm whilst working in the community.”

James, Milford GAA

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

SCHEMES DEPARTMENT - COMMUNITY HANDS COMMUNITY HANDS SUPPORT TEAM DLDC’s Community Hands team offers support for local community groups to undertake small projects/ work which otherwise would be out of their reach.

The work is carried out by RSS participants who can meet the needs of groups who require either a oneoff task or extra support to existing RSS projects. Any voluntary or charitable group are eligible to apply for assistance.

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Support is available in 2 ways: • The Community Hands team will come out and support you in undertaking the project for your community group.

• The Community Van can be borrowed by community groups. Groups can use the van for delivering materials, moving furniture, collecting large items or materials.

WWW.DLDC.ORG

SCHEMES DEPARTMENT – CE/JI PROGRAMMES The CE Childcare Scheme is a Community Employment programme which helps long term unemployed people, generally aged 21 years and over, to re-enter the workforce in the childcare sector. It operates in 22 different towns and villages around Donegal. Participants are placed in community-based Childcare facilities around the county and are given the opportunity to complete

a QQI Level 5/6 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education and other associated training, while at the same time, gaining work experience in a Childcare setting.

The Job Initiative scheme is a programme providing full-time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more, and in receipt of social welfare payments over that period. There are currently 9 JI participants with

DLDC. Following changes introduced to the Job Initiative scheme by the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment in late 2004, there is currently no recruitment onto the scheme while the existing participants will continue to have their contracts renewed.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2020 • 62 individuals were supported on CE Childcare, working in 25 Community based Childcare facilities • 37 Level 5 Minor Awards and 45 Level 6 Minor Awards were attained by the participants during the year • Six Level 5 Major Awards and seven Level 6 Major Awards were also attained by participants during the year • 20 participants completed training in Aistear curriculum, Manual Handling and Paediatric First Aid. • 8 participants progressed into employment in Childcare services during 2020

CE/JI CASE STUDIES H Keating – Raphoe Community Playgroup I completed my 3-year CE Scheme in the Summer of 2020 with a QQI Level 6 Qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education. Along with this qualification, I also had training in many other areas that enhanced my employability. I highly recommend a CE scheme as a means to earning some income (19.5hrs per week) and gaining a recognised qualification. I found the training remarkably interesting and the Teachers/trainers provided a great support. I now work as a Special Needs Assistant under AIM, I absolutely love my job and I am currently working towards a Level 7 in Special Needs Assisting with St. Angela’s College

in Sligo. I have made some friends for life whilst completing my time with DLDC, and anyone who is keen to work in childcare will gain hands on work experience, and a qualification that greatly improves your employability.

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

Ann: Job Initiative Retiree “When you have been unemployed for a number of years it tends to erode your motivation and selfesteem and this is where Job Initiative made such a difference to me. It gave me back my confidence and purpose in a working environment.

I received lots of training funded by Job Initiative both for professional advancement and personal wellbeing, along with other various aspects I received training in First Aid, Sign Language, and Manual Handling. I have really enjoyed my time with my sponsor group “Donegal Lifestart” and I feel I have achieved a lot over the years with regard to positive outcomes for families through the support I provided” Ann is continuing to work part-time (10 Hrs weekly) with Donegal Lifestart since her retirement for the JI Scheme.

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WWW.DLDC.ORG

DLDC FINANCES 2020 DLDC receives funding from a number of national programmes and state agencies which are listed below: • Department of Rural & Community Development • Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection • Department of Justice & Equality • EU Asylum, Migration & Integration Fund • Donegal Local Community Development Committee • Donegal County Council

• Interreg North West Europe • Donegal ETB • Fáilte Ireland DLDC is a not-for-profit organisation and we did not return a profit or loss for the financial year ended 31st December 2020.Our audited financial statements will not be available until our annual AGM is completed in September but you will see below a breakdown of the income and expenditure recorded for 2020.

A total combined income of €3.1m was received from funders during the year broken down as follows: DLDC PROGRAMME INCOME 2020

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Donegal Local Development CLG | Annual Repor t 2020

During the year, DLDC invested €2.2m into the local community in the form of staff time and programme initiatives.

DLDC INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY 2020

In addition to the above income and expenditure which is recorded through our financial statements, DLDC also supported community groups to receive:

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• LEADER funding €1,171,333 • Dormant Accounts Fund – Training and Mentoring Supports for Social Enterprises €42,391 • Dormant Accounts Fund – Small Capital Grants Scheme €36,464 • ETB Community Education Supports - €4,590

WWW.DLDC.ORG

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“The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 - 2022 is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programmes for Employability. Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014 - 2020.”