What is SICAP

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2023 is co-funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the European Social Fund Plus under the  Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021-2027. Through the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) County Wicklow Partnership offers a variety of services to eligible individuals who wish to improve their wellbeing, access training or education, improve their employment situation or start a business within County Wicklow. Supports are also offered to Local Community Groups, after schools clubs, parent and toddler groups and activities for youth e.g. summer camps. The programme has a focus on geographically disadvantaged areas and groups working with specific target groups of the programme. All our SICAP services and supports are offered free of charge. The aim of SICAP is to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion and equality through local, regional and national engagement and collaboration. County Wicklow Partnership delivers the SICAP programme in the municipal districts of Wicklow, Arklow and Baltinglass. The programme is administered by Pobal and overseen and managed by the Wicklow Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). The best way to find out how you or your group could benefit from the programme locally is to contact a SICAP team member at 0402 20955 or info@wicklowpartnership.ie More general information on the SICAP programme can be found on this video:

Training, Education & Employment

Do you need support with one or more of the following: Working out your next steps? Building your confidence? Finding out about your rights and entitlements? Exploring your educational options? Job Seeking skills? CV Preparation? Interview Coaching? English Language supports? Up-skilling and completing training courses (e.g. Safepass, Manual Handling, Barista Taster course, Film course, Return to learning course, etc)? Information and advice about accessing other services? We work with individuals to help them to identify and take the steps to improve their quality of life and wellbeing. We provide a one-to-one confidential support and advice service for people wanting to improve their education, training or employment situation. We also run various training courses and programmes to help you reach your full potential and when required we refer people to relevant agencies and supports.

Start Your Own Business

Are you unemployed and would like to explore the option of becoming self-employed? Do you need help: Exploring a business idea? Exploring the reality of self-employment? Finding out what funding or grants you might be eligible for? Support applying for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance or Short Term Enterprise Allowance? Completing a Start Your Own Business course? Completing a Business Plan? Understanding bookkeeping and taxation requirements? We provide a one-to-one confidential support and advice service and can help you on the path to starting your own business. Contact a member of our SICAP team to find out more.

Young People Supports

We run various programmes for young people, provide funding support and collaborate with other agencies to support youth activities e.g. after schools clubs, parent and toddler groups and activities for youth e.g. summer camps. Keep an eye on the news section of our website to find out about upcoming training programmes, groups, events and camps.

Local Community Group Supports

We provide mentoring and training for community groups and residents associations. We help groups identify the real needs of their community, respond to those needs, and when required engage with relevant local and national stakeholders in addressing their needs and social exclusion and equality issues. Does your community need support to: Set up a group? Access funding? Host a community event/meeting? Developing governance skills? Planning for the community? Undergoing training? Doing community research? We can provide advice and support to emerging and existing Local Community Groups and deliver training programmes to meet your needs.

Examples of SICAP’s work in County Wicklow

Supports to International Protection Applicants and Refugee’s: a 2023 Case Study: CWP SICAP 2023 Case Study

SICAP’s response to the Ukrainian Crisis; a 2022 Case Study: SICAP’s response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis

SICAP supports for those who want to start their own business:

SICAP supports for early school leavers; a 2020 Case Study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=JKGAPWVc1KE&feature=emb_logo

SICAP collaboration with DSP and Glenealy Training Centre in delivering a Film Production Training course: a 2019 Case Study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6_DQmqqyxs

SICAP engagement strategies with target groups and communities through ‘Hear My Voice’ workshops: a 2018 Case Study: 2018 CWP SICAP Case Study_FINAL

For further details on any aspects of the SICAP programme, please contact Kay O’ Connor, SICAP Programme Coordinator,  koconnor@wicklowpartnership.ie