Learning Outcomes from this chapter
On completion, you should be able to:
- Explain the term ‘community development’
- Describe the economic and social benefits of community development
- Identify the importance of community initiatives in the development of the local economy
- Outline the impact of state agencies in assisting indigenous Irish businesses
Community development is a voluntary or professional effort to support and develop the social and economic activity of a local community for the benefit of the community
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| Direct employment |
Local jobs: increased income and local spending |
| Spin-off effect |
Increased demand for local service providers and suppliers |
| Enterprise culture |
Enterprise is encouraged when local entrepreneurs succeed |
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| Sense of pride |
New clubs and groups start up: locals are proud and empowered |
| Community spirit |
Feelings of growth and prosperity replace ‘doom and gloom’ |
| Slows depopulation |
More jobs and clubs keep locals from migrating |
Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs)
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| Mentoring |
Experienced business experts shadow and support entrepreneurs, offering one-to-one advice and guidance |
| Training |
Workshops target key skills, such as creating business plans, paying employees, creating cash flow forecasts |
| Networking |
Events allow entrepreneurs to mix, share ideas/experiences, connect with local suppliers and businesses, and build cooperative relationships |
| Financial supports |
Feasibility Study Grants to the value of €15,000 can be awarded, and priming/expansion grants of up to €80,000 are available |
| Evaluation |
Local businesses can avail of valuable knowledge of local authority regulations, planning, accessibility, environment, procurement and other issues in their area |
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| LEADER programme |
Assists rural communities in creating enterprises that suit their own local communities/areas: rural tourism, enterprise development, broadband, basic services targeted at hard-to-reach communities and rural youth |
| Pobal |
Distributes EU and government funding to assist projects on community development; funds social initiatives, rather than commercial initiatives, so that quality of life is improved in communities |
| Area Partnership Companies (APCs) |
Encourages and assists local enterprise and improves standard of living for local communities through training, volunteering opportunities and short-term employment in local projects |