Community Connection Project
The Community Connection Project (CCP) is a national initiative funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht delivered in partnership with the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) and Local Development Companies (LDCs). It provides for funding of up to twenty-six Community Link Workers, employed by LDCs across the country.
Their role is to directly engage with local communities (residents already living in the local community as the primary focus) to understand and tackle challenges and concerns in the context of community integration locally.
Implementation of the project is overseen by a dedicated CCP team employed by LDCN consisting of a Coordinator and Administrator. They provide co-ordination, convening, research and learning support.
The team works to develop a cohesive picture of project implementation at national level, provide support to CLWs and engage with relevant Departments on challenges reported locally. The team is currently facilitating a research exercise, in collaboration with the CLWs, to examine effective mechanisms for healing division within communities and counteracting divisive narratives and misinformation.
The project facilitates the sharing of practice among CLWs on tackling common barriers and challenges and inputting into the development of the whole-of-government response to integration. The team are committed to sharing learning across the LDCN, complimenting national and local efforts and providing practical guidance and support to build community resilience.
The scoping review examined four areas: the policy and institutional landscape, community level approaches and practice; attitudes, tensions and drivers, gaps and priorities for future learning
These will be published in the coming months.
LDCN Project Staff
For further information contact Catherine Lane catherine.lane@ldcn.ie
Catherine Lane
Project Co-ordinator
Hussain Bakhshi
Project Administrator