Government of Ireland
Logo - Co-funded by the European Union
Pobal - Government Supporting Communities
Social Inclusion and Community Programs
Galway City partnership
“The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 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.”
“Tá an Clár um Chuimsiú Sóisialta agus Gníomhachtú Pobail (SICAP) cómhaoinithe ag Rialtas na hÉireann, tríd an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Ciste Sóisialta na hEorpa Plus faoin gClár Fostaíochta, Cuimsiú, Scileanna agus Oiliúna (EIST) 2021 -2027.”

Pobal Case Study Galway City – Engaging with the Traveller Community

Galway City Partnership is a local community development company working in Galway City. We have been in existence since 1996 and our aim is to tackle disadvantage and social exclusion with a particular focus on those who are long term unemployed. Currently, Galway City Partnership is implementing the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (2018-2022) in Galway City.

Galway City Partnership has been the lead agency in promoting equality and inclusion in Galway City for over twenty years. We have completed an Employment Equality Review (2004), facilitated the development of the Towards a City of Equals – Galway City Anti-Racism Strategy (2005) and supported the creation of the Equality and Human Rights Statement (2018) in Galway City. Furthermore, Galway City Partnership has a strong culture within the organisation, and in particular among the staff, of promoting equality and inclusion.

Engagement with the Traveller Community has been a central pillar of the provision of our supports to individuals and communities in Galway City. Over the past two decades Galway City Partnership have developed community based structures with strong links to the Traveller Community including direct work completed through our community development staff. In addition, internal referral systems into SICAP have been developed with the Local Employment Services Network (LESN) and Galway City Youth Advocacy Service – both of whom also engage with members of the Traveller Community.

Central to our work with Travellers has been the very strong with relationship Galway Traveller Movement. The Galway Traveller Movement (GTM) was set up as an independent Traveller organisation in 1994. It was established by Travellers and non-Travellers in Galway with the ultimate aim to achieve equality and self determination for the Traveller Community in Galway City and County. Applying community work and human rights based approaches GTM as part of its strategic plan 2018-2022 aims to dedicate its resources to enabling the Traveller Community to be part of a movement that challenges structural inequality.

GTM has been involved in equality mainstreaming which is the systematic incorporation of non-discrimination and equality concerns into designing, implementing and evaluating policies and programmes of an organisation. Through equality mainstreaming organisations are enabled to adapt their service to make sure that it benefits people who are sometimes excluded e.g. Members of the Traveller community. This training is delivered by three Traveller Ambassadors and Galway City Partnership has accessed this training. There are three steps in the process of an equality impact assessment: 1) gathering relevant knowledge and data, 2) assessment of impact and 3) participation by representatives of the group concerned to review impact assessment. The approach used for this model is very practical, positive and a good learning experience for both the agencies and Ambassadors. The Traveller Ambassadors with the support of Galway Traveller movement have developed an Equality mainstreaming Toolkit.

The focus of the equality work completed by Galway City Partnership and Galway Traveller Movement has provided a strong platform for interagency work. A staff member of Galway City Partnership is a part of the Board of Galway Traveller Movement and vice versa. The interconnection between the two organisations has facilitated direct referrals to SICAP and allowed, through SICAP, the development of the Yellow Flag Programme in the city. The Yellow Flag Programme is a progressive equality & diversity initiative for primary & secondary schools which promotes & supports an environment of inter-culturalism.

In relation to the participation by Travellers in SICAP, in 2018 5% of our Target Groups were Travellers and this involved 182 interventions. 43% of the Interventions related to Self-Employment, 34% related to Employment Supports and 23% related to Education Supports.

To conclude, central to the engagement with the Traveller Community in Galway City is the historical links which have been developed with organisations/ structures working with Travellers. Furthermore, it is imperative that supports are developed and delivered through an equality and inclusion framework.

Presenters of Case Study:

Bridget Kelly,
Galway Traveller Movement,

bridget@gtmtrav.ie

or

091-765390

Dr. Seamus Morrissey,
Galway City Partnership,

seamus@gcp.ie

or

091-773466

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government and the European Union and cofounded by the European Social Fund and includes a special allocation under the Youth Employment Initiative

Ireland Structural Investment Funds
European Union - Investing in Your Future - Social Fund
Community Development
SICAP - Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme
LCDC - Galway Local Community Development Community
Galway City Partnership - Logo
Galway Traveller Movement
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