A new programme was launched last week aimed at enhancing the performance of organisations supported under the Community Services Programme (CSP). 

The ‘Achieve Together’ Social Innovation Coaching and Mentoring Programme offers bespoke mentoring and coaching services to existing Community Services Programme organisations.

The aim of the initiative is to facilitate, support, encourage and inspire organisations to attain their social innovation goals and to assist them to provide an enhanced service to local communities.

More than €4 million in funding is to be provided over the 12-month lifetime of the programme, with up to 225 organisations to benefit.

The €4 million will be allocated as co-funding between the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills, and Training Programme (EIST), which is Ireland’s European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) programme for 2021-2027.

Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien said the programme “will help our CSP-supported organisations to grow and provide more services, enhance their employment opportunities – particularly for under-represented groups – and encourage further active participation, in our communities”. 

He added: “Many CSP supported organisations may also wish to invest further in products or services, expand their operations to address local challenges, deliver new services to address identified needs and reduce and minimise their environmental impact. This programme will help provide the organisations with the tools to achieve these important objectives for the continued benefit of communities across the country.”

Following the tendering process for the ‘Achieve Together’ Coaching and Mentoring programme, which was launched in July, panels of both Mentors and Coaches have been established.

 The programme’s goal is to include 25 small and medium-sized businesses in its initial year, followed by 50 organisations in the following years (2025–2028), reaching a total of 225 organisations over the course of five years.

 As part of their role in supporting the Department of Rural and Community Development in the implementation of the ‘Achieve Together’ Social Innovation Coaching and Mentoring Programme, Pobal CEO, Anna Shakespeare said:

“Pobal is delighted to continue to work with the Department of Rural and Community Development on this ESF+ ‘Achieve Together Social Innovation Coaching and Mentoring Programme’. It builds upon the Department of Rural and Community Development supported Community Services Programme through the provision of tailored social innovation supports and developmental measures. 

“It represents an innovative and exciting opportunity for Government and the ESF+, as well as ourselves in Pobal, to support the advancement of social innovation in our community settings.”

 There are currently 430 CSP-funded organisations throughout the country, with approximately 50% of those expected to be selected to take part in the ESF+ ‘Achieve Together’ programme.