Regions Celebrate Projects and Products as Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union Commences

The Irish Delegation to the European Committee of the Regions, together with the Irish Regions European Office, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, and the Southern Regional Assembly, hosted a special Welcome Reception in Brussels marking the commencement of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026.

Entitled “Tionscnaimh agus Táirgí na hÉireann – Projects and Produce of Ireland”, the event brought together over 300 local and regional representatives from across Europe, alongside EU officials, MEPs and representatives of Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU.

The reception showcased the strength, innovation and diversity of Ireland’s regions and highlighted the significant contribution that local and regional authorities make to delivering European priorities on the ground. It also demonstrated the tangible benefits of EU membership, collaboration and EU co-funding for communities, businesses and citizens across Ireland.

Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions, said:

“We welcome the Irish Presidency of the EU Council, and we thank the Irish regions for an evening celebrating both their culture and their strong commitment to advancing key European priorities over the next six months.

As negotiations on the next seven-year EU budget enter their decisive phase, Ireland carries a unique responsibility. The future of cohesion policy, its role in strengthening competitiveness, preparing Europe for enlargement, and ensuring that every region can contribute to Europe’s success, will be shaped during this Presidency.

Ireland knows from its own experience what cohesion policy can achieve. It has lived it, benefited from it, and understands its transformative power. That experience will be invaluable in guiding these negotiations with fairness, vision and ambition.”

The Irish Ambassador to Belgium, Kevin Conmy noted:

“The honour of hosting the first big event of the Irish Presidency in Brussels on 1 July fell to the Irish Regions European Office and the EU Committee of the Regions. It was a great gathering celebrating Irish culture, food and drink and showcasing the projects and products from Ireland’s regions. So many impressive projects showing the achievements of the EU at the national and regional level, it was an honour to attend.”

Councillor Gillian Coughlan, Head of the Irish Delegation to the Committee of the Regions, said:

“The evening was a wonderful celebration of Ireland’s regions and the strong partnerships that underpin the European project. As Ireland begins its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are proud to showcase the very best of our regions, from our creative EU co-funded projects to our outstanding food, drink and culture. Together, we look forward to working with our European partners under the theme ‘Strength with Unity’ to deliver positive outcomes for our communities.”

The evening featured exhibitions from Ireland’s three Regional Assemblies, focusing on projects co-funded by the Government of Ireland and EU that are delivering tangible benefits and meaningful change in communities throughout the country. These projects reflect the breadth of innovation taking place across Ireland in areas such as innovation, sustainability, skills, rural development and community wellbeing. Featured projects included the were MET Technology Gateway at Atlantic Technological University, TUAM Station House THRIVE project, ARC Hub for Therapeutics, MTU Cyber Innovate, CycleUp, Peatlands for Prosperity, STEM education in the Midlands demonstrating how European and national investment and collaboration is helping regions to thrive.

Cllr David Healy, Cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly said:

“The theme of today’s event, ‘Tionscnaimh agus Táirgí na hÉireann’, reflects the strength and diversity of our regions. Across the Regions, communities are delivering innovative solutions to some of Europe’s biggest challenges, from climate action and skills development to research, innovation and regional growth. Alongside innovative projects that are delivering tangible benefits for communities through EU and Government co-funding, we are also celebrating the food, culture and local enterprise that give our regions their distinct identity. Together, they tell a powerful story of regional ambition, collaboration and achievement that we are proud to share as Ireland begins its Presidency of the Council of the European Union.”

Guests sampled a diverse range of regional food and drink, reflecting the strength of Ireland’s local producers and the distinct identity of each region. The event provided a warm and authentic sense of Ireland, rooted in place, community and tradition.

Cllr Micheál Frain, Cathaoirleach of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, stated that:

“As Ireland undertakes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, it does so with a deep appreciation of the central role that culture and identity play in shaping cohesive, resilient, and inclusive societies. In the Northern and Western Region of Ireland, we understand that our rich cultural heritage is not just something we preserve, it is something we live, share, and use to connect across borders. Through this Presidency, Ireland has a unique opportunity to champion the diversity that defines Europe, while ensuring that every community feels seen, valued, and included. By placing culture and identity at the heart of our European engagement, we can build stronger, more connected regions and foster a Union that truly reflects the voices of its people.”

Adding to the atmosphere, the reception featured live traditional Irish music and dance, offering a vibrant cultural welcome to visitors from across Europe.

Cllr Andrew McGuinness, Cathaoirleach of Southern Regional Assembly, said:

“This event is a strong example of what can be achieved through collaboration, bringing together Ireland’s regions to present a shared story at European level. Working in partnership, we can better showcase the strengths of our communities, learn from others, and contribute to shaping a more balanced and sustainable future across Europe.”

 

About the Projects being showcased:

ERDF Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-27

The Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme connects businesses with applied research expertise to drive innovation and solve industry challenges. The scheme was showcased by the MET Gateway at Atlantic Technological University, Galway City, who supports start-ups, SMEs, and large organisations across the MedTech, Engineering, and Life Sciences sectors.

THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme, enables local authorities to bring vacant heritage buildings under council control back into public use. Across the scheme, 19 Strand 2 capital projects, with a combined value of €128 million, will transform these buildings into vibrant community, cultural, enterprise and tourism destinations. One such project is the Tuam Station House in Co. Galway, which will be reimagined as a state-of-the-art enterprise hub and social space as part of the wider Tuam Regeneration Strategy

ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-27

The ARC Hub Programme is a new model for regional innovation and entrepreneurial training that will enhance and accelerate the commercialisation of research to create new products, processes and services. The ARC Hub for Therapeutics, in the Biopharma and Life Sciences sector, encompasses a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas, with strengths in oncology and immunology. Its research emphasises translational research in small molecule therapies, biological treatments, biomaterials for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) applications, and biomarkers with therapeutic utility.

The Innovators’ Initiative scheme is a national immersive needs-led training programme for experienced professionals who want to apply their expertise in new ways, by founding a startup, leading innovation within organisations, or driving change in strategically important sectors. MTU Cyber Innovate is aimed at high calibre mid-career professionals from the cybersecurity, technical or commercial backgrounds, who have an entrepreneurial drive and a desire to found a new cybersecurity start-up.

EU Just Transition Fund

The CycleUp project strengthens the Roscommon Women’s Network in their work to upskill women in textile design, marketing and upcycling. This circular economy social enterprise takes unsold pre-loved textiles and offcuts from fabric stores and transforms them into bags, accessories, and homewares. Along the way, the project upskills individuals through education and empowerment in the areas of repairing, reusing and upcycling and provides employment in a rural area.

The Peatlands for Prosperity Project: Cultivating Paludiculture for Resilience, promotes paludiculture (farming on wetlands) as a new form of wetland management, supporting peatland restoration and sustainable economic opportunities. This project, run by Green Restoration Ireland, supports farmers with peatland areas by providing practical training, tailored farm services, and innovative ways to generate income – particularly through adoption of climate-friendly practices.

STEM education in the Midlands is one package of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Pathway for Just Transition project, which is led by Midlands Ireland and funded through the EU Just Transition Fund. The project combines a series of work packages that advance skill development, capacity building, collaboration amongst domestic producers, fosters innovation and creativity in the Midland’s local economy. The STEM education pilar brings robotics programme to local schools across Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath to get students interested in robotics and STEM-related activities like science, engineering, coding, math, technology and computer science, as well as teamwork and collaboration.