In 2015, Community Work Ireland published In whose Interests: Exploring the Impact of Competitive Tendering and Procurement on Community Work. This work, carried out as the SICAP programme was initiated, focused mainly on secondary research, drawing lessons, primarily from the UK where tendering has been in operation for quite some time.

With support from the St Stephen’s Green Trust, CWI is undertaking a follow-up piece of research. This project will undertake primary research to explore the impact of the SICAP programme on community development. We hope that the results of the project will inform the new programme design. We are aware that Pobal have recently circulated a survey on SICAP. This CWI survey focuses in particular on community development and how a new programme might facilitate community work.

We would welcome your participation. This participation will include:

• Completion of this survey that we are sending to all SICAP Programme Implementers and others involved in community work. In the case of a SICAP implementing organisation, we are suggesting that this be completed by the SICAP Co-ordinator or nearest equivalent.
  Link to the survey – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CWISICAPResearch
• Participation in a regional focus group discussion in:
  • Kilkenny at 11am Monday on March 6th in the Fr. McGrath Centre, St. Joseph’s Rd, Kilkenny
  • Galway at 11am on Tuesday March 7th in An Teach Solais, Victoria Place, Galway (5 mins from the train/bus station).
• Participation in an interview if requested.

We would be grateful if you would complete the exploratory survey, which will enable us to identify the issues, before Friday February 24th.

Thank-you in advance.

The CWI Team

Link to the survey – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CWISICAPResearch