CCP Vision

Support the development of an inclusive and just society in Cork City where each person is encouraged and enabled to reach their full potential through the provision of education, employment and community development initiatives

CCP Mission Statement

To improve the life chances and opportunities of people who experience the effects of poverty and social exclusion through promoting equality and inclusion for all

We do this by:

• Increasing access to services, education, employment, and recreational activities for people who are experiencing disadvantage or social exclusion

• Facilitating local community groups to achieve active and effective community engagement and community participation

• Working in partnership with local communities, agencies, local elected representatives and state funded bodies to build strong, healthy sustainable and equitable communities
• Influencing policy by researching issues and contributing to working groups and committees on relevant policy related issues
• Advocating for policies, supports and services that address gaps in relation to social exclusion

CCP Guiding Principles

The following guiding principles underpin how we do our work:

Collective Action:

Enabling people to work together to identify common issues, so that they can influence, advocate and collaborate between communities, social networks, state agencies and government institutions in order to access resources and source relevant expertise

Empowerment:

Building the skills, knowledge and confidence of people to be critical, creative, and active participants, enabling them take more control of their lives, communities and environments

Participation:

Pro-actively involving individuals and groups who experience poverty and social exclusion in making a contribution to the economic, social, environmental and cultural development of the city

Leadership and Capacity Building:

Ensuring people build their skills and leadership capacities, to play active roles in developing their communities and to more confidently engage with decision makers

Social Justice:

Enabling everyone to play an active role in creating the conditions for a just and equal society, through challenging all forms of discrimination and inequality and advocating for strategies to alleviate the root causes of inequality and disadvantage. Inequality and discrimination can be based on gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religious belief and membership of a travelling community

Integrity and Accountability:

Implementing the highest ethical and professional standards of openness, responsibility and evidence-informed decision making in the conduct of our business. Pursuing a standard of business excellence through the QMark

CCP Partnership Approach

The work of ‘partnership’ is about creating the conditions for dialogue so that there is a better understanding of ‘what will work’ and make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities

We see our partnership approach as:

• Engaging directly and honestly with individuals, their families and communities; and working in ways that are directly relevant to the challenges and opportunities that become apparent to them in their daily lives

• Learning from experience and collating the various forms of data that we produce and can access

• Communicating an informed view of the reality of people’s lived experience as we address the causes of poverty and social exclusion

• Connecting communities that experience disadvantage with the services that they need

• Making sense of national government policy by commenting on policies and decisions that directly impact on the lives of people and on groups who live with inequality and limited access to education, health and community services

• Sustaining collaboration and the growth of a ‘partnership culture’ by building trust, effective governance, and addressing the risks associated with dis-jointed thinking in the implementation of local plans

• Equipping citizens – particularly those who are socially excluded – with the necessary information and skills to engage with the structures and agencies that plan and deliver services across the city

Objectives

OBJECTIVE 1: SUPPORTING PEOPLE

Identify and focus on individuals experiencing poverty and social exclusion in Cork City. This will involve an analysis of various data sets and other evidence of need

OBJECTIVE 2: EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

Identify and focus on individuals, groups and communities working to address issues of poverty and social exclusion in Cork City

OBJECTIVE 3: ENABLING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

Support people and communities to engage and participate in the appropriate decision-making structures

OBJECTIVE 4: STRENGTHENING OUR ORGANISATION

Ensure astute management of existing resources and programme funding. Actively source additional funding for new projects and programmes, with a particular focus on promoting corporate & social responsibility funding from local businesses