Rapid News.
Now that we have our residents association up and running where do we go from
here'' ? just some of the questions being asked by communities Change, Integration,
Consultation, Community Participation , key buzz words in the RAPID process but
how can it be measured ? and what can be achieved ? RAPID is acting as a helicopter
effect highlighting generic needs in the RAPID areas and mapping existing resources.
The key to the success of the RAPID process is the prioritisation and sustainability
of projects. The Area Implementation Team plays a key role in ensuring that agencies
are integrating, through the prioritisation of resources, expertise and the provision
of information. The RAPID process is a direct response to Local Agenda 21 providing
a stage for a more open and participative approach to economic and social development
improving the quality of life in identified areas. Rapid should not be branded
as a quick fix to the solving of immediate issues, instead it should act as a
tool to proactively empower communities to take ownership of issues and to provide
a forum for agencies to address the same. The Key to RAPID's success is about
involving the local community and effective communication through the building
of partnership's between all interested partners. The RAPID process in Kilkenny
in partnership with existing agencies and community groups is striving to identify
real needs through community participation. RAPID in Kilkenny is not about re-inventing
the wheel but rather the building on existing structures already successfully
iniated by agencies and community groups alike. RAPID will continue to build on
existing community structures, and work closely with all of the community organizations.
The process is identifying and empowering communities with no community structures
to participate in the programme. ''Community Participation Survey''
Research was recently carried out in order to get an indication on how community
reps were participating in the RAPID process and to identify any issues that have
arose to date .Questionnaires were handed out to each AIT Community Representative
in the South East. The Findings were presented at the RAPID ''Taking Stock ''
Conference on the 25th of Feb 2003
It was encouraging to see that community
representatives on each Area Implementation Team were feeling comfortable with
the process to date. The bar chart below gives an indication of community reps
in the South East understanding of the RAPID process.
General comments included
More Youth Involvement
More Publicity
''It
is important to know what resources exist within Departments prior to projects
being submitted''
''There is a need to focus on existing local resources''
'' RAPID is bringing the community together and helping civic spirit '' For
further details please contact Ronan in the County Hall
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