1 of 6

DLDC – Working with our New Communities

Joleen Kuyper Machado – Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Specialist Officer (SICAP)

2 of 6

Underlying Funding, Policy and Partnerships:� - DLDC Values and Strategic Plan� - SICAP Social Inclusion Programme � - BME Inclusion Strategy for Donegal� - Think Equality Donegal partnership with DIP and DTP

The evolution of the work (past)

Life Long Learning and Employment Supports staff (SICAP) working with refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minority groups as part of social inclusion remit throughout lifetime of this and previous programmes. Community Development team supporting social inclusion across the county.

2022 – Ukrainian response. Community Development team supports – translators, community links workers, coordinator brought in

2023 – Ukraine funding allowed the opportunity to work with International Protection Seekers as well

3 of 6

Underlying Funding, Policy and Partnerships:� - DLDC Values and Strategic Plan� - SICAP Social Inclusion Programme � - BME Inclusion Strategy for Donegal� - Think Equality Donegal partnership with DIP and DTP (Project concludes 2024)

The evolution of the work (present and future)

2024 – New SICAP Plan. Migrant Integration central theme – refugees and asylum seekers also among key target groups alongside ethnic minorities. Lifelong learning and Employment team evaluating outreach methods to ensure we are reaching the new communities and ethnic minorities.

2024 – Progression. Former New Communities team embedded within SICAP structures. Focus on supporting community groups to work with groups in their areas, and supporting groups within the BME Community to establish and grow, supporting individuals from BME and New communities to participate on structures

Diversity Equality and Inclusion Officer position created to work internally to evaluate and enhance best practice within DLDC when working with BME groups (as well as other marginalised groups e.g. LGBTQ+) and to lead out on the interagency social inclusion work. Clear understanding of intersectionality of barriers and challenges in relation to increasing diversity and representation of BME communities across DL.

4 of 6

DLDC as a bridge between New Communities and Existing Communities

Using Community Development Principles to Support Integration and Inclusion of New Communities and Ethnic Minorities

5 of 6

Interagency work

DLDC as a bridge between new and local communities, and statutory agencies

BME Strategy Committees (e.g. Pathways)

Community Response Forum

CYPSC and CFSNs

Internal and external referrals

ILDN, National Structures

Ukraine Community Cluster

As the local development company we also have the opportunity to participate on various structures and interagency bodies which provide the opportunity to advocate for the needs of the minority groups we work with, and we have also advocated for representation and participation of these groups on these bodies and structures. We have the advantage of knowing the local communities, the new communities and the agencies, and we can refer and signpost, make introductions and support relationships in both directions. This also means that we can use our understanding to feed in to the development of plans and policies, such as for example the new CYPSC plan, to ensure that the needs of minority ethnic groups including refugees and asylum seekers are considered in such plans. Community development principles of human rights, social justice, equality.

6 of 6

Any Questions ?