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Graphic stating "JTPeers to Facilitate 5 new exchanges, benefitting 10 JTF territories" and showing that Ireland will be engaging with Finland

Tóchar Project Embarks on Peer-Exchange with Finland in 2025

In an exciting collaboration, Tóchar Midlands Wetland Restoration – an EU Just Transition Funded project run by NPWS – will engage with a Just Transition territory in Finland in 2025, exchanging knowledge and best practices for restoring peatlands in areas transitioning away from peat extraction. This initiative is part of the European Commission’s Just Transition Platform peer-exchange programme.

The journey began with a conversation at the Just Transition Platform conference in Brussels earlier this year, where Irish and Finnish representatives discussed common challenges and opportunities for communities and landowners. These discussions inspired the successful application to the peer-exchange programme.

Planning for the exchange is underway, with a strong focus on involving as many Irish stakeholders as possible. Finnish participants will include representatives from South and Central Ostrobothnia and the subregion of Kaustinen, home to many peatlands in Finland’s Just Transition region. The delegation will also feature regional councils, university researchers, and members of Finland’s sustainable peatland use competence cluster.

A fascinating connection exists between Finland’s landscape and culture. The Finnish word for Finland, Suomi, shares its root with suo, meaning swamp or mire, a fitting reflection for a country where one-third of the land is covered by mires and peat. Kaustinen, renowned for its raised bogs, mires, and vibrant cultural heritage, is also famous for its fiddle music and folk festival, with the region’s music inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Recognising the deep bond between culture and nature, Tóchar is committed to exploring how cultural identity influences our relationship with peatlands and wetlands. The team eagerly anticipates building this cultural and environmental partnership with Finland throughout the coming year.

https://www.emra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JT-Peers-exchanges-2024-2025.png 800 1200 EMRA Editor 2 https://www.emra.ie/wp-content/themes/master/images/emra-logo-2024.png EMRA Editor 22024-12-18 09:47:022024-12-18 09:55:38Tóchar Project Embarks on Peer-Exchange with Finland in 2025
Photo from event called "Green Futures, Sustainable Innovation in the Midlands" showing a group of men and women holding a sign that says #EUinmyRegion

Midlands Lead the Way: EUJTF Projects Showcase Sustainable Innovations

Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), in collaboration with Technological University Shannon (TUS), Midlands Campus in Athlone today brought together on Wednesday 4 December 2024 five key projects funded by the EU Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) who are driving innovation in carbon neutrality and transforming the Midlands region for a panel discussion, dubbed “Green Futures, Sustainable Innovation in the Midlands”.

The EU JTF aims to support the most negatively impacted regions and communities across Europe that are affected by the transition to climate neutrality by providing funding to enable sustainable innovation across the region. In Ireland the EU JTF programme focuses on the wider Midlands area, and is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

Welcoming attendees to the event included Lorna Walsh, Director of Research Support Services at TUS Midlands, Stéphanie Gantzer-Houzel, representative from DG REGIO (Department for regional and urban policy) of the European Commission, and Terry Connolly, Programme Manager of the EU Just Transition Fund in EMRA.

A panel of five projects then were invited to share their experiences so far and how the projects will impact the region.

The five projects and speakers who participated in the panel moderated by Bernie Roe, Assistant Director, EU Just Transition Fund and Corporate in EMRA, included:

  • Brendan Flanagan, Founder of Ethical Tours and EU JTF beneficiary, who shared insights on sustainable tourism.
  • Jennifer Payne, Business Development Manager, CycleUp Textiles, who discussed the circular economy practices and community empowerment through textile upcycling.
  • Stephen Napier, CEO of Irish Bioeconomy Foundation, who explored the innovations in sustainable biotechnologies.
  • Professor Neil Rowan, Lead Principal Investigator, Mount Lucas Circular Bioeconomy Aquaculture Initiative, who presented advancements in circular aquaculture.
  • Carmel Halligan, ReSHAPE, Programme Manager, highlighting TUS’s role in skills development for a low-carbon economy.

Commenting on the event, EMRA Programme Manager, Terry Connolly, said:

“The EU Just Transition is a transformative concept for communities in the Midlands, harnessing our abilities in sustainable innovation and economic transformation. Today’s event showcased how these projects are not only addressing climate neutrality but also creating meaningful opportunities for individuals, businesses, and local communities to thrive in a greener future.”

Director of Research Support Services, TUS Midlands, Lorna Walsh, added

“TUS Midlands are honoured to play host to today’s panel which showcases the very best of what the Midlands has to offer in driving sustainable innovations across Ireland. Becoming carbon neutral is a tremendous task, and the collective efforts as demonstrated by our panelists and the EU JTF programme today are playing their role in future-proofing Ireland’s economy. At TUS, we are proud to support initiatives that align education, research, and enterprise to advance sustainability and build resilient communities in the Midlands.”

Stéphanie Gantzer-Houzel, programme manager for the EU Just Transition Fund in Ireland at DG REGIO, European Commission, also added:

“I was happy for the opportunity to contribute to today’s event on the EU Just Transition Fund and to hear from projects that showcase what the fund is all about. The EU JTF represents our commitment to supporting the Midlands area in transitioning away from peat for electricity generation. Thanks to the fund, new jobs are being created in green sectors such as sustainable tourism and the bioeconomy, contributing to the economic diversification of the Midlands area. It is an opportunity for everyone who wants to contribute to a greener and stronger Midlands, and I encourage potential beneficiaries to take advantage of this opportunity.”

To learn more about the EU Just Transition Fund, read here.

https://www.emra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Project-Showcase-event-at-TUS-Athlone.jpg 800 1200 EMRA Editor 2 https://www.emra.ie/wp-content/themes/master/images/emra-logo-2024.png EMRA Editor 22024-12-04 17:17:232024-12-05 15:18:31Midlands Lead the Way: EUJTF Projects Showcase Sustainable Innovations
Photo of a meeting room at the Procurement Training on below EU threshold procurements

Procurement training for below EU thresholds for EUJTF beneficiaries

The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly organised training on Below EU Threshold Procurement for beneficiaries of the EU Just Transition Fund in Ireland. A video of the training can be seen on this page.

Read more
https://www.emra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Photo-from-Procurement-Training-25-Nov-2024.jpg 800 1200 EMRA Editor 2 https://www.emra.ie/wp-content/themes/master/images/emra-logo-2024.png EMRA Editor 22024-12-02 16:02:192024-12-02 16:02:19Procurement training for below EU thresholds for EUJTF beneficiaries

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