Dr Johnny Connolly presents Masterclass at EU Citicess Project

The CITICESS - Citizen Centered Social Services project is an Interreg Europe initiative co-funded by the European Union. Access to services of general interest, such as education, training, healthcare, social care and inclusion, is difficult for vulnerable groups of people. It is especially so when they are facing multiple layers of disadvantage, such as poor mental health, low levels of education, unemployment or isolation.  Services often focus on a single aspect, and it is difficult to respond to the complex needs of vulnerable groups.
The Citicess project, which will continue until May 2027, focuses on reaching marginalised communities, low-income households and people facing disadvantage by applying a new, innovative and holistic approach to organising services around the target group. Ballyhoura Development CLG, based in the Limerick/Cork border region, works with seven partners across Europe to exchange information and jointly test new approaches.
As part of its Masterclass series, over 60 participants throughout Europe attended a presentation of the University of Limerick's  Local Leadership Programme (LLP), by Project Leader Dr Johnny Connolly of the REPPP team, School of Law. The LLP supports frontline professionals and others working at a community level throughout Ireland to address complex local problems.