The RAPID (Revitalising Areas through Planning Investment and Development) programme is a central government initiative introduced in July 2001 and targeted at 46 areas around the country.
The Ballyfermot RAPID Programme was granted full status in April 2007. Pat Teehan is the Co-Ordinator for the Ballyfermot Area RAPID Programme.
Vision Statement
To promote social inclusion within the targeted communities identified under the RAPID Initiative through the process of Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment, Development, integrated service provision and social inclusion interventions.
Mission Statement
The Area Implementation Team (AIT) for Ballyfermot will aim to improve the quality of life for local residents living within the designated RAPID area through providing a better delivery of current public / state services and a more co-ordinated and integrated delivery of those services. This process will be collaboration between community and relevant state agencies to influence additional investment in the social, environmental, economic and educational development based on identified need.
The Ballyfermot RAPID Programme will deal with seven key strategic issues under the plan that impact upon disadvantaged.
These are
- Physical Environment
- Family Support
- Youth Support
- Education
- Employment and Training
- Health
- Crime and Safety
The principles that Ballyfermot Rapid will work towards will be:
Community Participation and local ownership
Promotion of Strategic Planning
Coordination of Provision of State Services
Targeting of ”Additional” Services, Investment and Facilities
Building on Existing Structures
Complimenting existing Initiatives
Flexibility
Community participation has and will continue to be a key element of the RAPID process in Ballyfermot. The addition of the new community representatives has ensured that the programme stays up to date and answers the needs of the community.
The Ballyfermot RAPID Area Programme provides information and support to local groups in their efforts to access funding and seize funding opportunities. On a regular basis, all job and funding opportunities are emailed to groups and individuals on our database which is updated regularly. We also provide funding courses which assist in understanding funding criteria, do’s and don’ts, reasons for failure of applications etc. Send me an email at the contact above if you want to be included in this information stream.
Ballyfermot has secured over €6.7 million in funding for a number of projects. While the Ballyfermot RAPID Programme cannot take the credit for all of this success, it has made a significant impact in this area. We continue to seek out new opportunities, draw down resources and assist groups to access funding to provide more and better resources in the area.
Working in partnership with all statutory, voluntary and community groups in the area, the Ballyfermot RAPID Programme will continue to integrate projects, ensure community participation, be open, democratic and transparent and ensure that all funding secured will go directly to the projects. The success of the RAPID Programme to date has been our ability to make the necessary contacts and to seize funding opportunities that provide real, on the ground change in the area.
Your ideas and opinions are very important to the RAPID process and it is only by working with the people of Ballyfermot and promoting ownership and responsibility that we can continue to build on the success thus far.