APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Deadline for applications is 28th February 2024 at 5.00pm
The purpose of the Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Strategic Partners (State Agencies), administered by Fáilte Ireland, is to deliver grant-aid to relevant State Agencies within the EU Just Transition Territory to deliver improved tourism infrastructure, facilities, and visitor experiences.
In line with Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs (scheme B within the EU Just Transition Fund Action 1.1), these Schemes will focus on the areas of Visitor Experience Improvement, Digital Transformation, Digital User Experience, Accessibility and Sustainability and Regenerative Tourism.
EU Just Transition Fund territory. This includes the entire counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, and municipal districts of Ballinasloe (Co. Galway), Athy and Clane-Maynooth (Co. Kildare), and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co. Tipperary).
This call falls under the EU JTF programme Priority 1: Generating Employment for former peat communities by investing in the diversification of the local economy. The specific operation concerned is Action 1.1: Foster the economic diversification of the territory by supporting productive investments in micro-enterprises, SMEs and economic stakeholders in key sectors.
Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and European Union, the EU Just Transition Fund has a single specific objective, which is to enable regions and people to address the social employment, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050, based on the Paris Agreement.
State Agencies in the EU Just Transition territory.
In order to manage the EU Just Transition Fund budget allocation and ensure that an appropriate balance of spend is achieved in line with the overall objectives of the EU Just Transition Fund, is it at the discretion of Fáilte Ireland to place spending caps on one or more of the Schemes (B-G) during their operation, depending on the demand generated for each scheme. The total amount of funding available for Scheme B-G inclusive is €38million.
Indicative amount for this programme is €6-8 million.
Strategic Partnership Agreements are being issued to State Agencies. An application process for eligible State Agencies will follow.
Announcements in relation to funding through this scheme will be on the Fáilte Ireland website.
The purpose of the Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Strategic Partners (Local Authorities), administered by Fáilte Ireland, is to deliver grant-aid to the eight Local Authorities within the EU Just Transition Territory to deliver improved tourism infrastructure, facilities and visitor experiences.
In line with Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs (scheme B within the EU Just Transition Fund Action 1.1), these Schemes will focus on the areas of Visitor Experience Improvement, Digital Transformation, Digital User Experience, Accessibility and Sustainability & Regenerative Tourism.
EU Just Transition Fund territory. This includes the entire counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, and municipal districts of Ballinasloe (Co. Galway), Athy and Clane-Maynooth (Co. Kildare), and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co. Tipperary).
Policy objective:
This call falls under the EU JTF programme Priority 1: Generating Employment for former peat communities by investing in the diversification of the local economy. The specific operation concerned is Action 1.1: Foster the economic diversification of the territory by supporting productive investments in micro-enterprises, SMEs and economic stakeholders in key sectors.
Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and European Union, the EU Just Transition Fund has a single specific objective, which is to enable regions and people to address the social employment, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050, based on the Paris Agreement.
Local Authorities operating in the EU Just Transition territory (see note on geographical area covered above).
In order to manage the EU Just Transition Fund budget allocation and ensure that an appropriate balance of spend is achieved in line with the overall objectives of the EU Just Transition Fund, is it at the discretion of Fáilte Ireland to place spending caps on one or more of the Schemes (B-G) during their operation, depending on the demand generated for each scheme. The total amount of funding available for Scheme B-G inclusive is €38million.
Indicative amount for this programme is €11-15 million.
Strategic Partnership Agreements are being issued to each Local Authority in the EU Just Transition territory. An application process for eligible State Agencies will follow. This is expected to commence in early 2024.
Announcements in relation to funding through this scheme will be on the Fáilte Ireland website.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Deadline for applications is 28th February 2024 at 2.00pm
Closing date for submission of full Application forms is 13 January 2025. Get applications in now as the scheme will close once available funding is awarded to successful applicants.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Deadline for applications is Friday 13 October 2023, 12:00pm noon
APPLICATIONS CLOSED: Thursday 28 September 2023, 5:00pm
The Midlands region and beyond was well represented at two EU Just Transition Fund and Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative information events which took place in The CUBE Low Carbon Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, on Tuesday, 4th July.
An overview of the EU Just Transition Fund and a look at potential suitable projects was provided by Bernie Roe and Terence Connolly from the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA). EMRA has been appointed the Managing Authority for the EU Just Transition Fund and is responsible for managing and providing information on the programme, assisting in the selection of eligible projects, and monitoring implementation.
Presenting at the DAFM Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative information session, L-R: Patrick Barrett, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Bernie Roe, Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly; and Caroline Hofman, Managing Director of The CUBE.
The EU Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) is a new funding programme created to help communities across Europe that are experiencing negative impacts from the transition to climate neutrality to meet the challenges posted by this transition. Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, up to €169 million will be available over the duration of the fund to support the diversification of local economies and the creation of new opportunities that complement the assets of the designated Territory, along with related activities.
Patrick Barrett, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, delivering a detailed presentation on the Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative Scheme and the opportunities for the Midlands region and Ireland
The EU JTF in Ireland will support the areas in the wider Midlands where communities have been negatively affected by the closure of peat production and peat-fired energy generation facilities. The designated territory for this fund includes the counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, and the municipal districts of Ballinasloe (Co. Galway), Athy and Clane-Maynooth (Co. Kildare), and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co. Tipperary).
Patrick Barrett, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, delivering a detailed presentation on the Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative Scheme and the opportunities for the Midlands region and Ireland.
Patrick Barrett, Agricultural Inspector, Research Division for Bioeconomy, Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, provided a detailed overview of the Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative, one of the schemes under the EU Just Transition Fund. He also provided key information for prospective applicants, including project scope and requirements.
The EU Just Transition Fund Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative Scheme has an indicative budget of €10 million in 2023 and €10 million in 2024. The official launch for submissions from eligible applicants is due to be announced in August 2023.
Patrick Barrett, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, speaking after the event said:
“The Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative Scheme can fund the development of ‘Bioeconomy Districts’, ‘Living Labs’ and ‘Pilot & Demonstration Innovation Actions’ to support circular bioeconomy value chain development within the Region.
The purpose of the scheme is to advance a competitive bioeconomy for a sustainable future and to develop the Just Transition Fund Territory in Ireland to become an exemplar of such development.”
Caroline Hofman, Managing Director of The CUBE, added:
“We were delighted to host these two information events in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Originally we were due to hold one session, but due to demand we held an additional session in the afternoon. This shows the significant appetite for the EU Just Transition Fund opportunities for the Midlands Region and other areas within the appointed territory.
I would encourage any business or organisation with a project in mind related to the Bioeconomy Demonstration Initiative or in any other area relevant to the EU Just Transition Fund to get in touch with EMRA directly or contact The CUBE. Here at The CUBE, we can also assist you in finding relevant funding or grant opportunities for your business, community group, or organisation.”
For more information about the EU Just Transition Fund, visit https://emra.ie/eu-jtf/ or e-mail eujtf@emra.ie.
You are also invited to take part in a short EU survey for JTF stakeholders which can be completed at https://tinyurl.com/787s9w7u
Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly
3rd Floor North, Ballymun Civic Centre
Main Street, Ballymun
Dublin 9, D09 C8P5
Ireland
+353 (0) 1 8074482
©Tipperary Tourism / Sinead Cahalan