The fabric of any city depends on co-operation between the community and outside communities. Kilkenny has an excellent reputation for the success of its community groups which reflects a deeper desire for social justice, harmony and equality that is vital to a healthy and prosperous society.
In the community sector Kilkenny Information Age installed computer networks in a number of community centres throughout the city. This created the stimulus for the communities to participate in a wide range of ICT activities including ICT training and after school programmes. It also created community-based employment in the form of ICT Trainers. It is estimated that over the past two years approx. 20 people held such positions before advancing to mainstream employment.
These ICT based community projects has formed the basis for encouraging communities to develop and manage their own ICT projects. The KITCAT organisation, a cross-community representation of five marginalised communities has made an application to have their information age project funded under an SEP programme. This programme will provide employment for 6-8 people and help to sustain the ICT training and awareness in these communities. The Kilkenny Multimedia Centre has implemented a number of ICT projects including a "math's pilot program" in association with Riverdeep and have over the last number of years been to the forefront in integrating ICT into the community.
