Category: EU Project News

Minister Presents Prizes to the winners of “Our Ireland, Our EU” Photography Competition

“Our Ireland, Our EU” was a national photography competition celebrating how projects co‑funded by the European Union and the Government of Ireland make a difference across Ireland.

The competition encouraged creativity and active citizen participation by inviting members of the public to explore, discover and photograph the real‑life impact of EU co-funding in everyday settings, whether that impact was physical (such as buildings or public spaces) or human (such as learning, skills and inclusion).

Each intervention supported by the EU and the Government has a story to tell and a strong image is invaluable in helping communicate these stories and their impacts to the public. The wining photographs across the categories of physical and people reflect the breath and diversity of the interventions and provide a photographic insight into “Our Ireland, Our EU”.

The Competition itself was a new and innovative approach towards increasing the visibility and communicating the benefits of EU Funded activities in Ireland.

The contest was organised by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER) and was hosted on eufunds.ie with all costs and prizes being met through EU Technical Assistance.

Entries were submitted under two categories.

Category 1: Photographs of an Eligible Location which included physical projects such as buildings, regeneration schemes, and public spaces

1^st Place “Vigilant Commodore” by Ruth Tapial
2^nd Place “There’s room here for all of us” by Kartikeya Rana
3^rd Place “In Am (On Time)” by Jessica Dale

Category 2: Photograph People & Participation, capturing the human impact of projects supporting skills development, fostering social inclusion etc.

1^st Place “Summer at the Pier” by Claudia Finnerty
2^nd Place “Interwoven Networks” by Aoife Claffey
3^rd Place “When robots draw the line” by Dr Alan Magee

The competition ran from 1 May 2026 (launch of the competition) until 30 June 2026 (end of the public vote).

The website had over 13,000 visitors over the course of the competition.

164 entries to the competition were received. Of these, 82 entries met the eligibility criteria and were approved for entry on the competition website.

Over 3,500 voters registered on the platform to vote for their favourite photograph.

The Minister presented prizes to the winners at an event in Government Buildings on Thursday (23 July).

Minister Heydon and project partners launch National Bioeconomy Pilot Plant and BioScaleUp project in Lisheen on 25 June 2026

Minister launches National Biorefinery Pilot Plant and BioScaleUp Project

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, today launched the BioScaleUp Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative and officially opened the National Biorefinery Pilot Plant (NBPP) at the National Bioeconomy Campus in Lisheen, Co. Tipperary. This marks a significant milestone for Ireland’s bioeconomy, creating added value and sustainable solutions from biological resources.

Opening the facility, Minister Heydon said:

Minister Heydon at the launch of the National Bioeconomy Pilot Plant in Lisheen

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD speaking at the National Biorefinery Pilot Plant and Bioeconomy Demonstration Launch at Lisheen, Co Tipperary. Photo: Odhran Ducie

“Today is a landmark day for the Irish bioeconomy with the launch of the €5million BioScaleUp initiative and the opening of the €4.7million National Biorefinery Pilot Plant here at Lisheen in Co. Tipperary. These facilities will help take agricultural, food, forestry and other biobased side streams, often seen as waste and turns them into new valuable products for sectors as diverse as food ingredients, bio-packaging and bioenergy. The infrastructure being funded here by government and the EU gives researchers, SMEs and industry access to the equipment and expertise they need to test, validate and scale new biobased products and processes. This is about turning good ideas into real products, new value chains and new opportunities for rural and regional Ireland.”

Landscape image of the National Bioeconomy Pilot Plant in Lisheen, Co Tipperary

Substantial biomass resources exist across Ireland’s land, sea, and organic waste systems, including approximately 49 million tonnes of solid biomass feedstocks on a dry matter basis and around 58 billion cubic metres of liquid biobased feedstocks. Used sustainably, these resources can support new value chains, new enterprise opportunities and reduce reliance on fossil-derived materials.

The BioScaleUp Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative co-funded through the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund, will demonstrate and scale six innovative biobased technologies at the National Biorefinery Pilot Plant, showing how renewable biological resources, residues and side streams can be converted into higher-value products. These will include food and feed ingredients, proteins and bioactive compounds, natural colours, aromas and flavours, peptides, amino acid ingredients, green chemical inputs for bioplastics and textiles, biomaterials, biomethane and other renewable energy applications.

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, said:

“The announcement of the BioScaleUp project, supported by the EU Just Transition Fund, further contributes to developing the Midlands as a centre of excellence for the Bioeconomy in Ireland. As Member State for the EU Just Transition Fund, my Department has responsibility for overseeing over 170 projects supported by the EU JTF with these operations valued in excess of €120m. This investment stands to make a meaningful contribution to enhancing the Midlands region as an economically, socially, and environmentally vibrant place to live, work, and visit.”

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development, Noel Grealish TD, said:

“Research, Development and Innovation are central to building a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy. The technologies demonstrated through BioScaleUp can help turn agricultural, food, forestry, marine and other side streams into biobased ingredients, materials, chemicals and energy applications with real market potential. This investment will build on over €40million that my Department has invested in bioeconomy research and will support stronger links between research and enterprise and help Irish innovators move closer to commercial deployment.”

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for Small Businesses and Retail and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Circular Economy, Alan Dillon TD, said:

“The National Bioeconomy Pilot Plant and BioScaleUp project represents an important step in developing Ireland’s work in green business, offering a location that will act as a launchpad for advanced, future-facing businesses that will have a big impact on both our economy and our environment. This is a location for the future, from which I hope and anticipate that the entrepreneurs of Ireland will develop businesses and products that work for us all. I’m delighted to welcome this hugely positive step towards sustainable business practices and technical advancement.”

Commenting on the launch, Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager for Local Enterprise and Regions in Enterprise Ireland, said:

“Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support the National Biorefinery Pilot Plant (NBPP) in Lisheen. Innovation-led companies are essential to future economic growth, and innovation is an increasingly important factor in driving competitiveness and scale. This world class infrastructure in a regional and central location will provide direct access to a scale up facility for Irish enterprises focused on biobased innovation, circular economy solutions and sustainable processing, leading to high value, sustainable jobs. The project is the result of strong collaboration between Tipperary County Council, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Research Performing Organisations, Enterprise Ireland and multiple industry partners from across the ecosystem. It is supported by the Department of Enterprise Tourism and Employment with €4.7m in grant funding through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), administered by Enterprise Ireland.”

The new National Biorefinery Pilot Plant provides dedicated open-access pilot-scale infrastructure to help researchers, start-ups, SMEs and established companies test, validate and scale biobased products and innovative processes moving biobased innovation from laboratory scale towards commercial deployment. In practical terms, it will support innovators to move from “grams to kilograms”, generate process data at scale, reduce technical and financial risk, and bring new biobased products and processes closer to market.

The launch is also a major step in the transformation of the former Lisheen Mine into a centre for future-facing green innovation, biobased enterprise and regional development. It demonstrates how Just Transition investment can help create new opportunities for communities, primary producers, researchers and businesses while supporting Ireland’s climate, agri-food, circular bioeconomy and enterprise objectives.

Cllr John Carroll, Cathaoirleach, Tipperary County Council, said:

“The launch of the NBPP and BioscaleUp project today shows that rural Ireland can lead in addressing global challenges, from climate action to resource efficiency, while creating economic opportunities in our communities. Tipperary County Council is proud to support initiatives that position our County at the forefront of sustainable development and contribute to Irelands transition to a greener more resilient economy.”

Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund, Clare Bannon, said:

“The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly is pleased to see these important bioeconomy projects launching today. Investments such as those made by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund into large-scale bioeconomy projects demonstrate how EU funding can drive transformative place-based regional development. The significant investments into the circular economy and novel solutions to scale new bio-based industries are helping create new employment opportunities and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of the wider Midlands – shaping a more resilient regional economy and ensuring sustainable livelihoods as communities transition towards a greener, low-carbon future.”

Professor Kevin O’Connor, Director, BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre, stated:

“The National Biorefinery Pilot Plant (NBPP) at Lisheen Co. Tipperary is a product of the vision and determination that BiOrbic and the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation have developed for over a decade. BiOrbic is proud to see the launch of the National Biorefinery Pilot Plant, marking a significant milestone in the scaling and translation of research into bio-based innovations.”

Dr Ian Archer, Managing Director, James Hutton Institute Scientific Services said:

“The launch of the National Biorefinery Pilot Plant, alongside the progress at BioConnect in Co. Monaghan, shows exactly how serious Ireland is about backing its bioeconomy. Having spent two years as CEO helping to get BioConnect off the ground, it’s great to return as an international speaker and see these vital scale-up facilities become a reality for Ireland’s bioeconomy. The key now is to continue that momentum with significant added investment to make Ireland a European and Global leader.”

Project partners include Tipperary County Council, University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Technological University of the Shannon, University of Galway, University College Cork and BiOrbic, Ireland’s National Bioeconomy Research Centre funded by Research Ireland, working in partnership with the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation and industry partners including Tirlán, Medite Europe Ltd. and Amu Green.

The launch forms part of a wider programme of bioeconomy events in 2026, leading towards Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2026 which will focus on the hosting of the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2026 in the Convention Centre Dublin on 20-21 October 2026 as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU Council.

BioScaleUp is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027 and administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The National Biorefinery Pilot Plant is supported by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland. Together, the investments represent almost €9.7 million in national and EU-backed support for biobased innovation, regional development and circular bioeconomy delivery at Lisheen.

ORIGINN Study Visit to Bologna, Emilia-Romagna Region

From the 14^th to the 16^th of October 2025, the Emilia-Romagna Region hosted the ORIGINN Project Partner Meeting, welcoming partners and stakeholders from across Europe for three days of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and study visits. The event, held in Bologna, highlighted Emilia-Romagna’s leadership in innovation, sustainable food systems, and rural development.

The meeting began on Tuesday, the 14^th of October, with an official welcome at the Emilia-Romagna Region headquarters in Bologna, where participants were greeted by regional representatives and introduced to local initiatives in rural development. The morning featured presentations that explored the challenges and importance of blending tradition with innovation. Regional stakeholders presented their initiatives in agri-food, fisheries, and renewable energy, examining how technology is crucial for the sustainability of rural economies. The morning’s presentations were followed by a visit to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Parma. This study visit provided an in-depth look at Europe’s central role in ensuring food safety and research excellence. The day concluded with a traditional welcome dinner in Bologna, celebrating regional cuisine and fostering informal exchanges among partners.

On Wednesday, 15 October, the project partners travelled to the Po Delta area, exploring the rich environmental and economic landscape of the region. They met with the Mayor of Goro and visited the CO.PE.GO Fishermen Consortium, gaining insight into sustainable fishing practices and local cooperation models. In Comacchio, the partners toured the Manifattura dei Marinati, a historical eel processing facility that had been central to the local fishing sector for generations. Through the efforts of a local cooperative, it has now been restored and developed as a centre of local food heritage, rejuvenating the eel processing sector and developing a tourism offering in the form of a museum, events venue, and annual eel festival. This is a great example of the kinds of good practices in rural transformation that the ORIGINN project highlights. The partner regions learn from each other’s efforts to support and rejuvenate rural economies through innovation and diversification, and this learning informs our regional policies.

The final day, Thursday, the 16^th of October, was dedicated to the ORIGINN project workshop during which the partners from Catalonia, Ireland, Sweden, Romania, Slovakia, Estonia, and Italy presented our planned policy changes resulting from participating in this project. The meeting concluded with a visit to the DAMA Tecnopolo and HPC Leonardo – Cineca, a European leader in supercomputing and artificial intelligence, demonstrating Emilia-Romagna’s forward-looking commitment to data and digital transformation.

The timing of the visit aligned with World Food Day, which was held on the 16^th of October. This is a UN initiative to raise awareness of the importance of global collaboration for a peaceful, sustainable, and food-secure future. The three-day event in Bologna underscored the importance of interregional collaboration in addressing shared challenges across Europe’s rural and innovation ecosystems.

New Sustainable Accommodation and Visitor Experience opens in Laois following €250,000 investment through the EU Just Transition Fund

Making Tracks, a new low-carbon, slow tourism enterprise, has officially opened in Ballybrophy, Co. Laois, offering a unique visitor experience that includes glamping, horse-drawn wagon tours, and an Irish country house hostel.

The project was awarded €250,000 in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition fund. This project will enhance the visitor experience and help to drive tourism across Co. Laois and the wider region.

Opened by wood-craft restorer Eoin Reardon, the project involved the restoration of the former Ballybrophy House into an Irish Country House Hostel adjacent to the Ballybrophy train station, construction of 5 glamping units and the development of horse-drawn wagon experiences throughout south Laois. Accessibility and inclusivity were central to the project, with the development of universally accessible showers, pathways, and site access to ensure a welcoming experience for all visitors.

Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland, said:

“We’re so pleased to see the opening of Making Tracks in County Laois today. This project is a perfect example of how Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme is enhancing the tourism offering and creating new opportunities in destinations across the Midlands. By delivering unique, low-carbon experiences and quality accommodation, it strengthens the region’s appeal for both domestic and international visitors. It also highlights the transformative impact that initiatives like the EU Just Transition Fund can have on rural tourism development. We look forward to continued collaboration with local tourism businesses and communities, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), and our strategic partners as we deliver further projects under this scheme over the coming year.”

Clare Bannon, A/Director of Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly said:

“This project is a fantastic example of how EU funding can be used to create a truly innovative Tourism product. Supporting such tourism initiatives through the EU Just Transition Fund is crucial for economic diversification in the Midlands, fostering new opportunities for growth and resilience within our communities.”

Angela McEvoy, Director of Services at Laois County Council said:

“I am delighted to see the opening of Making Tracks, a fantastic addition to the varied tourism offering in County Laois, particularly in the west of the County and in such close proximity to Ballybrophy Train Station one of two Age friendly Stations within the Country. The creation of sustainable enterprise across the county is a key objective for Laois County Council and we are pleased to support this tourism initiative which will provide employment opportunities locally and bring more visitors to Laois to experience the hidden treasures we possess.”

Regina Dunne, EU Just Transition Fund Tourism Activator in Laois said:

“This project delivered by Ian Hyland and his team is strategically placed to support the eco-conscious tourist looking for authentic experiences and slow tourism while also being mindful of their carbon-footprint and impact on the environment in which they visit. This project showcases the huge potential for low carbon, sustainable, and alternative accommodation offerings to thrive in rural Laois.”

Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme aims to transform tourism across 8 counties in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East by diversifying the local economy and providing new employment opportunities for workers and communities that were heavily dependent on peat. The scheme will develop the midlands into a leading regenerative tourism destination, creating more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit the Midlands while also sustaining jobs, businesses and local communities in the region. It will also support the transition of the Midlands to a carbon neutral destination through funding of sustainable tourism projects that are designed to have significant regenerative impacts on local communities and peatlands.”

Official Opening of ” Making Tracks” Glamping/Wagon Experience at Ballybrophy House, Laois :• Eoin Reardon, woodworker cutting the ribbon with the Hyland family and family, Clr. Barry Walsh ( Cathaoirleach), Angela Mc Evoy( Director of Services , Laois County Council), Regina Dunne, EU Just Transition Fund Tourism Activator Laois, Justine Carey, Regional Manager, Fáilte Ireland, Clr John King and Clr Conor Bergin . Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

Official Opening of ” Making Tracks” Glamping/Wagon Experience at Ballybrophy House, Laois : Catherine and Ian Hyland and familywith Clr. Barry Walsh ( Cathaoirleach), Angela Mc Evoy( Director of Services , Laois County Council), Clr. John King, Clr Conor Bergin, Eoin Reardon, •Elaine Moore, Tourism Officer, Laois County Council, Regina Dunne, EU Just Transition Fund Tourism Activator Laois, Justine Carey, Regional Manager, Fáilte Ireland at the opening . Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

Official Opening of ” Making Tracks” Glamping/Wagon Experience at Ballybrophy House, Laois : The Hyland familywith Clr. Barry Walsh ( Cathaoirleach), Angela Mc Evoy( Director of Services , Laois County Council) and Eoin Reardon at the Barbaque area . Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

Official Opening of ” Making Tracks” Glamping/Wagon Experience at Ballybrophy House, Laois : The Hyland familywith Clr. Barry Walsh ( Cathaoirleach), Angela Mc Evoy( Director of Services , Laois County Council) and Eoin Reardon at the Making Tracks wagon . Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

Official Opening of ” Making Tracks” Glamping/Wagon Experience at Ballybrophy House, Laois : Ian Hyland ( Proprieter) makes short work of his “long” speech at the opening. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

Official Opening of ” Making Tracks” Glamping/Wagon Experience at Ballybrophy House, Laois : The Hyland familywith Clr. Barry Walsh ( Cathaoirleach), Angela Mc Evoy( Director of Services , Laois County Council) and Eoin Reardon at the glamping units . Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

Presov Regional Tourism Strategy presentation, Day 1

ORIGINN Study Visit to Prešov, Slovakia

From May 20–22, 2025, the picturesque Prešov Self-Governing Region in Slovakia played host to the fifth Study Visit of the ORIGINN project. The event brought together partners from Ireland, Sweden, Romania, Italy, Estonia, and Catalonia to share and explore good practices in soft innovation in our regions. Soft innovation can be a difficult concept to pin down, but in broad terms, whereas “hard innovation” refers to new technologies or functionalities, soft innovation encompasses more aesthetic or intellectual innovations, ranging from artistic expressions to management processes. In the context of ORIGINN, the project is focused on soft innovations that support the economic and social development of rural communities.

The three-day gathering opened with a full-day conference held at the PSGR Office in Prešov. Participants were welcomed by the Deputy Chairman of the region, who introduced the diverse landscape and potential of Prešov. This was followed by contributions from several regional experts. Mario Popper of the Strategic Development Department outlined the Prešov Region’s broader development strategy, while Štefan Pavlík spoke on integrated territorial strategies and their application in agricultural initiatives.

A key theme of the morning session was the role of education and regional collaboration. The Department of Education highlighted its work with secondary schools to support agri-food and technical vocational training. Daniel Šimčík discussed the region’s Tourism Strategy as a complementary driver of local economic sustainability.

The afternoon presentations turned to innovation in natural products and sustainable farming. Ivan Šalamon, PhD, of the University of Prešov, spoke on the healing potential of the region’s medicinal plants, while fellow academics Emília Huttmanová and Jana Chovancová introduced the university’s new sustainability-focused study programmes. Case studies from Agrokarpaty Plavnica and the family-run Hemp Bona farm provided tangible examples of how organic farming and medicinal plant cultivation are contributing to the region’s agricultural transformation.

The project partners also visited Urban Flora, a family-run urban farm in Prešov specialising in aeroponic cultivation of herbs and leafy greens—a forward-looking example of high-efficiency indoor urban agriculture with minimal environmental impact.

On the second day, the focus shifted to hands-on learning with study visits in the Plaveč and Hniezdne areas outside the town of Prešov. In Plavnica, attendees toured Agrokarpaty, Slovakia’s largest medicinal plant producer and one of the largest in Europe. The visit offered an up-close view of sustainable large-scale herbal cultivation and processing. In Hniezdne, the group experienced Nestville Park, a modern distillery, chocolate factory, and cultural centre, where traditional skills are being revitalised for modern markets.

The final day was dedicated to the internal workings of the ORIGINN project. Partners gathered for a steering meeting to review progress and plan future collaboration. This was followed by a session showcasing good practice examples in soft innovation from each partner region. The exchange of ideas highlighted diverse methods being used across Europe to support rural development, including innovative models of stakeholder engagement in Sweden, supporting local creativity as a driver of innovation in Ireland, and an online retail platform for local food producers in Romania.

The event concluded with a shared lunch and closing remarks, affirming the project’s commitment to knowledge exchange and cooperation. With a strong blend of policy dialogue and real-world examples, the fifth ORIGINN Study Visit reaffirmed the value of cross-border partnerships in building more resilient and sustainable rural communities.

Regional Development Monitor: a Good Practice for EU Regions

Ministers announce €60 million for THRIVE scheme to revitalise heritage buildings in Southern, Eastern and Midland Regions

On 16 January 2025, Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister Alan Dillon announced that €60 million in funding is available through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Southern Eastern and Midland Regional Programme to restore vacant or derelict heritage buildings in public ownership; revitalising urban centres, bringing valued heritage buildings back into use as community assets and delivering on New European Bauhaus and Town Centre First policies.

Building on the success of the initial funding round in 2024, the Southern Regional Assembly is pleased to open the second call for applications under Strand 2 of THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme – from 16th January 2025 with awards of up to €7 million available to refurbish, restore, and adapt publicly owned heritage buildings within town centres.

THRIVE empowers local authorities to reimagine and adapt heritage buildings, preserving their historical and cultural significance while creating vibrant and sustainable urban spaces.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, said:
“I very much welcome the launch of the new €85 million THRIVE call under the ERDF Regional Programmes. This funding gives local authorities the tools to bring Ireland’s heritage buildings into the 21st century, not only preserving and protecting these important heritage assets, but also ensuring their sustainable re-use for future generations. I look forward to seeing the regeneration benefits that will arise out of this funding and will strengthen the vibrancy of towns and cities throughout Ireland.”

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, said:
“The THRIVE scheme underscores our commitment to tackling vacancy, promoting heritage-led regeneration, and delivering on the Town Centre First policy. The Town Centre First approach ensures that local authorities are engaged with their citizens in developing new plans to transform and celebrate these underutilised heritage buildings for the benefit of their communities, while breathing new life into towns and urban centres across the country”.

Cathaoirleach of the Southern Regional Assembly, Cllr Garret Kelleher, said:
“THRIVE offers a unique opportunity to enhance the quality of life in our communities by preserving the architectural and cultural heritage of our towns. By focusing on publicly owned buildings, this scheme ensures that restored spaces serve the needs of local citizens while respecting the principles of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion.”

With 100% grant aid available, local authorities are encouraged to act swiftly, as this competitive funding opportunity promises to generate significant interest nationwide.

Heritage buildings are defined as structures with unique architectural, historical, archaeological, or artistic qualities, or those that hold cultural and economic significance to their locations.

Projects funded under THRIVE are required to embrace the values of the New European Bauhaus, incorporating sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion. The initiative also encourages a citizen-centred, community-led approach to planning, design, and project selection within the Town Centre First framework.

THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midlands Regional Programme 21-27. The scheme has been co-designed by the Regional Assemblies and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address European, national and regional policy objectives.

The funding call will be managed by the ERDF Managing Authority the Southern Regional Assembly. Application guidelines and eligibility criteria are available on their respective websites at www.southernassembly.ie and www.nwra.ie.

European Partners Visit the Midlands

The third ORIGINN Study Visit, held in the Eastern and Midland Region of Ireland, took place from June 11-13, 2024. The theme in focus was the Green Economy & Blue Economy and Sustainability, and the event gathered key stakeholders to discuss the innovative practices in this area in the four midland counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath.

The meeting, which took place in the town of Athlone on the River Shannon, began on June 11th with a welcome address by Clare Bannon, Acting Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA). The Acting Director spoke of the great potential of this rural part of the region and of the importance of projects like ORIGINN to enable collaboration in policy-development for rural transformation through innovation.

Participants then received project updates from the lead partner before visiting Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery in County Laois. A barley farm in the Walsh-Kemmis family for 13 generations, Ballykilcavan is a prime example of innovation and diversification on a traditional family farm, having developed an award-winning brewery on-site in recent years. They emphasise sustainability and circularity in their practices, and the project partners were interested to learn about the enabling policies in the region that facilitated the development of the brewery business.

The second day featured presentations from key figures in the field. Dr. Ian Archer, CEO of BioConnect, started the session with a presentation on the development of the bioeconomy in Ireland, followed by Barry Caslin, an Energy and Rural Development Specialist from Teagasc, who highlighted innovative approaches for sustainability in the farming sector. After a coffee break, Deirdre Kennedy, a Food Technologist from Teagasc, discussed advancements in food technology and policy supports for farmers developing food and drinks businesses.

In the afternoon, the project partners visited Loughboora Discovery Park in County Offaly, a green tourism initiative which has seen the transformation of bogland once used for the extraction of peat (a fossil fuel) into a leisure and conservation park for the local community and tourists alike. This was followed by a visit to the Accelerate Green Hub, which provides supports in the midlands to start-ups, particularly in the food and drinks sector.

The final day opened with a presentation by Niamh Dooley of BiaSol. Niamh’s company uses spent grain from Ballykilcavan brewery to produce high protein food products and supplements. A proud Midlands entrepreneur, she is an advocate for innovation in the rural economy, and also told the project partners about her participation in ACORNS (Accelerating the Creation of Rural Nascent Start-ups) a programme delivered in conjunction with the Government’s Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, to support women entrepreneurs in rural areas.

Christine Collins and Ray Bell, Broadband Officers from Longford and Offaly County Councils, gave an inspiring presentation on the innovative digitalisation policies and initiatives in their counties, which are driving sustainable and green economic growth. The event wrapped up with presentations from the project partners about policies in their own regions to support the Green Economy, and a roundtable discussion in which partners reflected on insights gained and potential pathways forward.

Overall, the ORIGINN Study Visit facilitated a rich exchange of ideas and best practices, emphasizing the critical role of collaborative efforts in advancing the Green Economy in the Midlands. The event highlighted the importance of sustainable practices, innovation, and policy support in driving regional economic development.

Green and Blue Economy – Webinar

On May 14th, the ORIGINN project hosted a webinar on the topic of the Green Economy. The purpose of the webinar was to showcase Good Practices from the seven regional authorities who make up the ORIGINN consortium.

Moderated by Dr Geraldine Brennan of CirculÉire, Ireland’s national platform for circular manufacturing, the webinar featured a full agenda of diverse and interesting presentations. Each partner invited a local stakeholder to present their Good Practice, and these were followed by a lively questions and answers session.

The webinar was attended by 54 participants, including policy-makers, industry actors, and civil society organisations, spanning three time zones across Europe.

They tuned in to hear about organic farmers organising for policy improvement in Estonia, and the cutting-edge Bioeconomy Hub in Catalonia; they heard about Emilia-Romagna’s policies to drive the development of the blue economy, and Jämtland Härjedalen’s innovative project to develop circular business models; they took a tour through Centru’s agri-tourism heartland, and learned about a great example of public-private partnership for circular manufacturing in Prešov.

While the Good Practices presented covered a variety of issues and policy areas, the common element was the innovative nature of the interventions they described. Innovation which is at the heart of ORIGINN’s mission to support sustainable and transformative development of our rural communities.

Next2Met Study Visit in Midlands

Ireland’s gateway to digital innovation and regional attraction

Midlands, Ireland – On 5-6 April 2022, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) hosted Next2Met project partners for a study visit in Ireland to showcase and learn about how digitalisation measures are increasing the attractiveness of the Midland Region as a place to live, work and visit.

Next2Met partners came to Ireland to observe and learn about local experiences and examples of digital solutions that are being implemented in the Midlands. Key stakeholders, the broadband officers from the Midland counties, also joined the study visit.

The first stop was to Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) in Mullingar to talk about creating a lighthouse of industry in the region. Barry Kennedy, CEO of IMR, gave a tour of IMR’s facilities including their work in 3D printing, robotics, advanced manufacturing, 5G, co-working spaces and other arears of innovation. He explained how IMR is working to “demystify, derisk and deliver” the digital transition and emerging technologies in the region. Catriona Mordan then talked about how the Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing (ATIM) cluster brings the needs of SMEs together to foster increased productivity, drive competitiveness, and support internationalization.

The next stop on the tour of the Midlands was to Co:Worx in Edgeworthstown, County Longford. At this rural co-working hub which had just launched the week prior, participants learned from Lorraine O’Connor of Longford County Council and Clare McEnroe, Director and co-founder of Co:Worx, how the community had come together to set up this facility in a former bank building and about the rural working hub strategy. We got insights from Michael Newham of the Midland Network of Co-working Facilities into means and importance of connecting co-working spaces across the region. Grow Remote’s co-founder Tracy Keogh enlightened all on the organisation’s work in supporting remote employment opportunities locally, building sustainable communities, and advocating for the companies to be informed and involved to create a pipeline of jobs that allow for remote working. Participants also spoke to Dr. Matt Saunders from Trinity College Dublin who described how the Internet of Things (IoT) and data is being used in the Midlands for peatbog management, restoration and in climate action through projects such as SmartBog. The last visit of the day was to the Kilbeggan Distillery to learn about tourism as a driver of regional attraction with specificity to the history and environment of the region.

On Wednesday the remaining participants had the opportunity to visit to the CONNECT Centre based in Dublin to see various 5G-related equipment and installations, getting an understanding of how sensors and digital solutions are being tested with the aim of making cities and towns more attractive places to live and work. We observed these solutions in person on a tour of the Smart Docklands. We also learned about the Centre’s projects OpenIreland and the Academy of the Near Future and how these ideas can be translated into other regions across Europe.

Throughout the visit there were clear areas of potential collaboration between participants as well as continued learning between the visitor and host regions. It is thanks to the opportunities provided by the Next2Met project that these exchanges could take place between the rural partner areas who share the characteristic of lying in the shadows of big urban centers.

The event is part of Next2Met, an innovative interregional exchange project co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Europe Programme and involves six other European regions. The project is managed in Ireland by Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) who works with key stakeholders at EU, national, regional, a local level to enable regional development. The focus region of the project in Ireland is in the Midlands which include the counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.