Rural Community Development

1. Overview of: Rural Community Development & A Targeted Intervention: The Smallholder Initiative Martin Flatley 1st February 2007 Pobal is a not-for-profit company with charitable status that manages programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU.

2. Content SummaryRural Community Development (RCD) • RCD ? • Changing ‘Rural’ Context • Rural Dwellers – who? what? (future) • RCD Drivers & Principles • Smallholder Households – their future? • The Smallholder Initiative - LDSIP [Local Development Social Inclusion Programme]

3. RCD ? • RD, IRD, CD, Rural & Community Dev. • Rural: Agr. / Farming related. • Community: All inhabitants of a ‘place’ • Development: Change – progress! • RCD = Devopment of all the people in a rural space • RD – multifunctional role of farmers/land

4. Farming ! • “Is like ironing underpants – a pointless exercise” !! • Negative, pessimistic, despondent; • Unviable, falling incomes, part-time/supplement; • New ‘rural’ economic order emerging; • Decoupled payments: social / environment focus; • Less farmers - more ‘rural’ dwellers = CHANGE

5. Sociological Perspectives Impact / effects: • World prices - Globalisation – down to local economic, cultural, political • On farmers?, others? the Irish countryside? • Competing interests – unprecedented scale • Idyllic haven if rich; stress/ poverty if not • Different ‘zones’ & uses emerging = change • What is RCD? What can / should RCD do??

6. ‘New Order’ Challenges • Tensions: wider scope of ‘Rural Development’ • Diversity of interests, needs, spatial spread • Multifunctionality of rural space & roles • Capacity: individuals, sectors, communities - social capital • ‘Bottom up’ - the connections • Community / voluntary sector, volunteerism • Partnership: Leader, Area Partnerships, CDBs, etc • Collaboration – joined up thinking - Cohesion

7. RCD Guiding Principles • Wider inclusive scope / approach • Acknowledge diversity: spatial, sectoral • Capacity build: individuals, sectors, comms • Explore and build on indigenous; • Greater Connectivity; Collaboration - diff levels • Specific targeted interventions - NB • Build, support networks - influence Policy • Social Inclusion Proof: plans/strategies/actions

8. The ‘Smallholder Initiative’ A Targeted Intervention: • Implemented by Area/Comm. Partnerships • Funded by Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) • Approx 25 local Initiatives • Majority have full-time dedicated workers • Focus – Low Income Smallholder households • Fills gaps/complements/adds existing services

9. What is Smallholder Initiative? • Tailored supports and guidance to • Targeted low income farm households; • Delivered through local Partnerships; • Co-ordinated by local dedicated worker (RDO); • Managed by local RD WORK GROUP; • TO INCREASE HOUSEHOLD INCOME

10. Why Smallholder Initiative? • Falling Farm Incomes • Not drawing entitlements • Limited resources, opportunities • No/limited relevant advice / information • Isolation, pride, fear, confidence etc • Special needs target group – ‘underemployed’ • Education, training limitations, isolation,

11. Approach / Principles • Most disadvantaged farm families (LDSIP obj.) • Economic and Social dimensions • Household focus – (not only farm / farmer) • Tailored responses, (ind. / sector needs) • On / off farm solutions (viable income) • Explore options, agree, implement plans • Other service providers / agencies - referrals • Focus on progress – follow up

12. Who the TG?, Where, What ? • Profile / statistical analysis of area; • Categorise different types of farm household; • Explore causes of disadvantage; • What present gaps / opportunities; • What needs to be done? • What can the local Partnership do? - For who? How? Policy Influence?

13. Establishing a Local Initiative Organisational Management • Commitment & resources - priority TG: • Local RD Work Group and Worker • A local Strategic Plan: (TGs & interventions) • Buy-in of local Serice Providers: Farm orgs, Teagasc, FAS, VEC, DSFA etc • Clear eligibility criteria – Operational Manual • Monitor, Track, Review, Evaluate,

14. Interventions • Find most disadvantaged and engage them • Explore /agree options, oppotunites, desires • One to one and/or group • Obj. - more informed, inclusive decisions • Formal referrals to existing service providers • Specific upskilling, training, education needs • Client database – follow up - progression

15. Specific Interventions • Entitlements • Alternative on-farm enterprise? • Off-farm options (full-time, part-time?) • Specific up-skilling (latent / new) • Spouse / other family member–train, use skill; • Pre-development/taster course, specialist • Outreach: childcare, transport, finance etc

16. Targeted Interventions • Different categories of ‘smallholder household’ • Different needs, recruitment, outcomes • young farmers, spouses, heirs • isolated bachelors • full time, part time (eg time management) • health issues • lack information, services, facilities, company etc • About identifying and filling gaps

17. Impact / Indicators2002 – Sept 2006 Totals Male Female • Caseload: 8364 6,000 2,300 • Job placements 828 599 229 • Educ / training 870 623 247 • Enterprise(pre-start) 445 317 128 • New Enterprise 302 214 88 • Referred (to other) 2971 2270 701

18. Monitor / Review • Client data base • Agreed progression route • Record inputs, outcomes, progress • Referrals; follow up, keep contact; • Local PR; involve local stakeholders

19. Summary • Necessity of specific targeted Interventiions • Most disadvantaged smallholder households; • Complements, adds value, fills gaps; • Obj. informed decisions / increased income; • Tailored to needs / ‘where at’ of households; • Works closely with all local stakeholders; • Progress monitored – value for money.

20. Overview of: Rural Community Development & A Targeted Intervention: The Smallholder Initiative Martin Flatley 1st February 2007 Pobal is a not-for-profit company with charitable status that manages programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU.