Roscommon LEADER Partnership (RLP) plays a crucial role in integrating individuals into the community by offering targeted programs. Through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), RLP provides personalized interventions to help marginalized individuals, including refugees, overcome barriers such as poverty, social exclusion, and educational disadvantage. These interventions focus on improving employability by offering training, guidance, and linking individuals to necessary services like education, healthcare, and housing.
RLP also places a strong emphasis on intercultural support, specifically designed for refugees, which helps them adjust to life in Ireland. For example, the Ukrainian Refugee Intercultural Support Worker helps refugees navigate cultural differences and find their footing in local communities. This approach ensures that refugees not only integrate into the workforce but also feel included in the broader social fabric.
Roscommon LEADER Partnership (RLP) supports a diverse range of communities, including refugees and individuals from various nationalities such as Syrian, Afghan, Ukrainian, Slovakian, and Roma. As part of their commitment to social inclusion and integration, RLP has developed a multi-lingual environment within the organization, where staff members speak a variety of languages to assist individuals from these communities. This multilingual support structure is crucial for facilitating effective communication and ensuring that refugees and other marginalized groups receive the help they need in their native languages.
What supports were provided?
RLP offers comprehensive supports to marginalized individuals through various programs like SICAP, TÚS, and RSS. SICAP is designed to assist individuals who are socially excluded by offering targeted programs that promote educational participation, enhance employability, and encourage lifelong learning. This program helps individuals build essential skills that are crucial for accessing better job opportunities and social services.
In addition to SICAP, RLP operates the TÚS (Community Work Placement Initiative) and the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), which are work placement programs aimed at providing hands-on experience, training, and employment opportunities to disadvantaged groups. These initiatives ensure that participants gain valuable work experience while contributing to the community, thus improving their prospects in the job market.
RLP provides extensive upskilling opportunities to individuals through various programs such as SICAP and the LEADER Programme. SICAP includes educational and training initiatives that focus on developing skills necessary for employment and personal growth. These include formal education programs, vocational training, and other skill development opportunities tailored to the needs of participants.
The LEADER Programme further complements this by funding skills development initiatives for individuals and communities, particularly in rural areas. It supports a wide range of learning and development activities that foster local entrepreneurship, improve job-readiness, and encourage social inclusion.
RLP leverages a variety of funding sources to provide the services and supports needed for community integration. The LEADER Programme provides financial backing for local projects that support economic and social development, including skills development for refugees and marginalized groups. Additionally, RLP receives funding from the Irish Government and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF), which co-funds initiatives designed to reduce social exclusion, promote employment, and enhance educational opportunities. These resources ensure that RLP can provide necessary services that are not otherwise available in the community
RLP’s success in integrating refugees is largely due to its focus on providing direct support and offering intercultural programs. A key aspect of this integration process is the Ukrainian Refugee Intercultural Support Worker role, which helps refugees adjust to their new surroundings by providing guidance on cultural norms, local services, and employment opportunities. These support workers help refugees build networks, access essential services, and integrate into the workforce, ultimately fostering smoother transitions and stronger community ties