JOINT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

JOINT AIMS

The empowerment of community groups and social enterprises to engage in activities that positively impact on the economic and social development of Rhyl and Athy (small rural towns with wide rural hinterlands), through capacity building.

JOINT OBJECTIVES

Empowering local communities:

• A cross border strategic group will be set up to inform and guide the project.

• This will comprise individuals from public, private, and social sectors of both communities. The group will be responsible for recognising capacity building opportunities and will facilitate networks between community groups and social enterprises in the two areas. Additionally members will meet at local level.

• Direct support and assistance will be given to community groups and social enterprises. This will increase the organisations’ capacity to operate effectively and, where appropriate, encourage entrepreneurship. Equal opportunities, environmental sustainability, and information and communication technology will be promoted. Organisations addressing these issues will be a priority.

• Strengthening links between the private and social sectors in order to encourage initiatives that will make Athy and Rhyl better places to live, work and do business - specifically in terms of environmental, social, and economic improvement.

• Cross border working will promote the sharing of best practice. Joint initiatives will increase access to services for rural communities, particularly in the area of access to training and developing skills.

Promoting the development of rural areas:

• Rural craft and tourism groups will be a focus for support throughout the project, this with a view to engaging economically inactive people and community groups.

• Marketing initiatives to promote local products, services, and places will be supported through this project.

Developing skills:

• The project will facilitate the delivery of training that will address the needs of community groups and social enterprises. These are likely to include institution building and management skills.

• The project will develop, promote and enhance cross-border HE/FE links that will address the needs of community groups and social enterprises. This will include building on the successful links already established between the two areas under a previous INTERREG programme - the Rhyl/Athy Regeneration Project.

• Skill gaps and needs of community groups and social enterprises will be identified.

• Community groups and social enterprises are often inclusive of the socially excluded. Organisations tackling social exclusion or that are inclusive of socially excluded people will be a priority.

JOINT OUTCOMES

1. Retention of young people – by focusing on making the project areas better places to live and do business, and by facilitating the provision of appropriate training.

2. Increased social capital - through support of community groups, through the direct support of social enterprises addressing social inclusion, and through encouraging joint private and social sector initiatives that promote social inclusion. The steering group will provide a forum for public, private, and social sectors to influence activities.

3. Increased natural capital – through promotion of environmental sustainability, and through priority support to those organisations addressing this issue. The environmental quality of the area has a direct affect on the economic performance.

4. Increased infrastructural capital – through promotion of the uses of ICT, and through priority support to those social groups promoting the uses of ICT.

5. Increased financial capital – the project will include some measures to support local crafts by supporting representational groups, and by assisting in generating marketing opportunities. Entrepreneurship will be encouraged amongst social enterprises and those community groups wishing to trade.

6. Increased human capital – by increasing the number of appropriately skilled people available to the job market through training. These will be found in businesses, community groups, and a priority will be given to socially excluded individuals.

   Weblink: www.athyrar.com