Community Development under the LDSIP

WCDL will continue to strive to work with communities in 2009. Working from the principal that community development comprises both a task and a process. The Task is the achievement of social change linked to equality and social justice and the process are the principles of empowerment, participation and collective decision making, in a structured and co-ordinated way. WCDL work on the basis that there are 3 stages in the community development process. Stage 1 is the pre-development, stage 2 is building community capacity and stage 3 is working in a policy context at local regional and national level.

WCDL work with both issue based groups such as disability, equality for women, travellers, non national communities and geographical communities with the priority being communities which are classified as in need of most support such as social housing estates both in Athlone and Mullingar. It is recognised that using a community development approach can lead to other objectives of the LDSIP being met such as helping to support people into training ,education and the labour market. 

In 2009 the LDSIP Staff and those employed under the National Rural Development programme will be working more closely together so that rural communities facing social exclusion can be supported and a more socially inclusive strategy can be devised for both rural and urban areas. 

The LDSIP plan for 2009 has been submitted to POBAL and is awaiting approval. If anyone would like a copy of the plan please contact Linda-Jo Quinn from the details below.

For further information please contact Linda Jo Quinn on 09064-94555 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it