Ireland – Other community, social and personal services – Facilitation of Services for We Can Fix It Social Inclusion and Capacity Building Under Theme 2 Thriving and Peaceful Communities Part of the Sligo PEACEPLUS Co-designed Local Community Plan

Sligo County Council is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified Contractor to develop, facilitate, and implement a programme of activities over 24 months, that supports local groups to establish “repair café” types groups and events that promote the circular economy and facilitate social interaction. The programme promotes social inclusion and builds capacity in participants as per the Sligo PEACEPLUS Co-designed Local Community Peace Action Plan 2021-2027. Participants in 6 to 7 communities across Sligo are supported in capacity and training to run repair cafes in their local areas. Existing skills will be used to promote interaction within communities and encourage move to circular economy through repair of small items rather than disposal. Based on existing models, a client (the public) may only bring items that can be carried and must wait and engage with people while their item is being repaired. Where possible, people are encouraged to watch and learn for small repairs. Repairs that are too extensive or that would take more than 10-20 minutes are not undertaken. Rather, the item’s owner would be encouraged to bring item to a professional with the expertise. A database of such tradespeople would be built up during this process thereby avoiding displacement and promoting the local economy. Unused items requiring repairs e.g., laptops, could be donated and redistributed to community groups in need if successfully repaired. As part of this project, two best practice visits will take place to learn from successful models and enhance the effectiveness of local repair cafes. Participant volunteers would receive additional training, e.g. sewing machine maintenance, basic safety, to top-up their skills.