Category: EMRA News - Page 6 - Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly

Local projects in the Midlands to receive grants amounting to €18 million under EU Just Transition Fund programme

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, today announced the 15 projects in the Midlands that will receive grant awards amounting to €18 million from the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) programme.

All of the awarded projects will invest in local communities, to create employment and to diversify the local economy of the Midlands region. They range from innovation and community hubs to a range of education and training programmes, and from green energy projects to heritage initiatives.

Thirteen projects, led by, or with strong involvement from, local authorities have been awarded grant funding of between €200,000 and €1 million to deliver actions in line with their Local Economic and Community Plans in the Midlands. The approved projects will deliver significant benefits to the region, including:

the upskilling and training of communities in the territory to participate in the low carbon economy;
the preservation, repurposing and refurbishment of local infrastructure and heritage assets for use as enterprise space;
supporting green technologies, including renewable energy and sustainable energy practices.

Two further strategic flagship projects supporting the delivery of the Regional Enterprise Plans have been approved for total funding of over €8 million:

The Munster Technological University (MTU), in partnership with Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and the University of Limerick (UL) will deliver education and training opportunities for the economic development and environmental sustainability of the Midlands region.
The Midlands Local Authorities (Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath) are allocating dedicated resources to realise sectoral ambitions in line with the objectives for the region’s Regional Enterprise Plan, including the Midland pathway to transition to a net-zero economy, Midlands Ireland Placemaking Programme and the Midlands Ireland Regional Food and Drink Strategy.

Projects have been selected through a competitive process under the EU Just Transition Fund Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme, administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department, which seeks to support the implementation of bottom-up local and regional strategies. Successful projects needed to demonstrate close alignment with locally-led Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs) and Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs).

Commenting on the projects approved for funding under the scheme, Minister Ryan stated:

“It is imperative that communities and workers who are most affected by the shift to a carbon neutral future are provided with targeted supports to address the social and economic impact of the transition.

“The changes we need to make have to be just, ensuring that the needs of people and planet are supported. This scheme will help communities across the Midlands to maximise the opportunities and benefits of the green economy by harnessing and supporting the implementation of bottom-up local and regional strategies. This will help build new economic strength and identity for the region while also supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

Clare Bannon, Acting Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), said:

“I welcome the announcement today of the projects that will receive funding through the Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme under the EU Just Transition Fund (EU JTF). It is a significant milestone for the EU JTF Programme as this scheme is the first of its kind in Ireland in its approach to funding local and regional economic strategies, designed to put local authorities and communities at the centre of the delivery of the EU JTF in Ireland. These selected projects highlight the ingenuity and locally-conceived ideas that have the potential to make a lasting impact on the wider Midland region. We also extend our gratitude to all the applicants for their submissions, which have shown dedication to the opportunity that exists in the region.”

Councillor Kate Feeney, Cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, remarked:

“The selection of these projects under the innovative EU JTF Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme is a transformative moment for the Irish Midlands. By bringing support directly from the EU to the local level where it is needed the most, the selected initiatives will foster growth and drives sustainable development for the communities in the region for years to come.”

Pobal CEO, Anna Shakespeare said:

“Pobal is delighted to be working with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly on the EU Just Transition Fund to support the implementation of these very exciting projects within the midlands. These diverse projects demonstrate a tangible investment in the development of local communities, building skills, generating employment and supporting the economic diversification of the midlands region as they transition to a low carbon economy. Pobal recognises the value of this fund and are proud to support it. We look forward to working with all stakeholder organisations in the region to make this scheme a success.”

Selected Projects

Details of the projects selected for funding under this scheme are listed below:

Project Name	Lead Organisation	County	Approved Funding Amount*
Athlone Smart Innovation and Co-working hub	Westmeath County Council, Technological University of the Shannon	Westmeath	€1,000,000
Ballaghaderreen Training, Upskilling and Community Hub	Roscommon County Council	Roscommon	€1,000,000
Biomethane Development Office	Tipperary County Council, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) & the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation (IBF)	Tipperary	€993,011
Carbon Emission Reduction Training	Roscommon County Council	Roscommon	€569,037
Circular Economy Centre of Excellence	Longford County Council	Longford	€200,860
Computer Science in Every Secondary School in Co. Longford	Longford County Council	Longford	€841,290
Co-working Hub and Enterprise Centre	Westmeath County Council – Kinnegad	Westmeath	€1,000,000
Film Offaly Project	Offaly County Council	Offaly	€252,985
Junction 17 National Enterprise Park Development	Laois County Council	Laois	€1,000,000
Kilcormac Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence	Kilcormac Development Association	Offaly	€294,056
Manorhamilton Innovation and Development Community**	Future Cast	Roscommon	€793,970
Pre-Apprenticeship programme	Tipperary Education & Training Board	Tipperary	€999,791
Rathcrogan Farming/Cultural Heritage Scheme	Farming Rathcrogan Scheme Company	Roscommon	€886,634
Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Pathway for Just Transition	Laois County Council	Regional	€3,992,882
ReSHAPE – Regional Skills Horizon And Pathways to Employment’ project	Munster Technological University	Regional	€4,154,602

*subject to grant-agreement

** Manorhamilton Innovation and Development Community will deliver this project in Co. Roscommon.

The Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund programme 2021-2027 which supports the workers and communities most negatively impacted by the transition to a low carbon economy by supporting the development of sustainable and resilient communities in the Midlands.

This programme focuses its activities in the EU Just Transition Fund Territory, consisting of Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon and the Municipal Districts of Ballinasloe (Co Galway), Athy, Clane-Maynooth, (Co Kildare) and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co Tipperary).

Successful projects will be delivered up to March 2026.

Further information on the scheme is available on the Pobal website.

“Regions in Focus” event

Councillors discuss options for enhanced Regional Government in Ireland at “Regions in Focus” event in Limerick.

Over 130 councillors from across the country assembled in Adare in February 2024 at the Association of Irish Regions annual gathering, “Regions in Focus,” to discuss and debate sub-national and regional government in Ireland. The event brought together Elected Members from Local Authorities across Ireland, senior public and civil servants from Ireland, Norway and Denmark as well policy analysts, academics and Government Ministers.

Minister Norma Foley TD spoke on the evolving role of regional government in Ireland. Minister of State Jack Chambers TD spoke on the opportunities for further balanced regional development in Ireland, strengthening communities, and delivering key transport infrastructure for economic development. Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell TD attended to launch THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme – an opportunity for local authorities to secure additional funding support for town centre regeneration throughout the regions.

Regions in Focus 2024 focused on the critical junctures in Irish planning and development, such as the new Planning and Development Bill, the review of the National Planning Framework, and the ongoing challenges posed by climate change. Moderated by the journalist, writer, and presenter Olivia O’Leary, the two-day event featured a compelling lineup of international, national, regional, and local speakers.

Keynote speeches and panel debates facilitated a rich exchange of ideas and best practices, with participants highlighting the importance of sustainability, economic resilience, and inclusive growth.

Cllr. Dermot Lacey, Cathaoirleach of the Association of Irish Regions, reflected on the event’s success, stating:

“The exceptional turnout and dynamic exchanges at this year’s event underscore the critical importance of regional development in Ireland’s future.

Together, we’ve laid down a robust foundation that will drive our regions forward, highlighting the collective resolve to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

“This year’s Regions in Focus event has set a new benchmark for collaborative efforts in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for Ireland’s Regions,” said David Kelly, Director of the Southern Regional Assembly.

All presentations from the event are available on the Southern Regional Assembly website: www.southernassembly.ie/news/news-article/regions-in-focus-2024

Minister O’Donnell launches new €120m fund to renovate heritage buildings in town centres

THRIVE scheme offers local authorities up to €7m to renovate disused heritage buildings in cities, regional growth centres and key towns
Initiative has potential to transform town centres across the regions supporting delivery of the Government’s Town Centre First Policy

A new funding scheme under Ireland’s two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes is providing €120m to support local authorities and their citizens to re-imagine town centres and to transform publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings within those town centres through renovation, renewal, and adaptive reuse.

THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme – was launched by Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Kieran O’Donnell TD on 8 February 2024. 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. THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell said:

“I welcome the launch of the new €120m THRIVE Scheme under the ERDF Regional Programmes.

This is an exciting scheme that will breathe new life into towns and urban centres across Ireland, so that they can function as the sustainable and vibrant heart of the communities they serve. At the heart of this is the Town Centre First approach. This ensures that local authorities engage with their citizens to develop plans, select suitable projects, and identify sustainable and viable end uses for underutilised heritage buildings. I look forward to seeing the transformative impact in these centres and the benefits this will have in driving regeneration in the years ahead.”

THRIVE will provide local authorities with funding of between €2m and €7m to renovate, refurbish and adapt vacant and derelict heritage buildings in their town centres. Heritage buildings under the scheme are classified as structures that form part of the architectural heritage and have unique architectural, historical, archaeological or artistic qualities, or are linked to the cultural and economic history of a place.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan said:

“This announcement demonstrates the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s commitment to heritage-led generation and tackling vacancy as part of the delivery of Town Centre First policy.

The funding will support local authorities not only in preserving and protecting our valuable built heritage, but also by ensuring the long-term sustainable re-use of these buildings and helping us meet our climate change targets”.

Staff of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly attending the Association of Irish Regions Training Seminar on 7-8 February 2024

Cathaoirleach of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Cllr John Naughten said:

“I believe that THRIVE will go a long way towards kickstarting development in our region by turning our town centres into attractive spaces for people to live and work and visit.

THRIVE will promote a citizen-centred and community-led approach to planning and design while also preserving the unique cultural significance of our heritage buildings.”

Projects are required to embrace the core values of the New European Bauhaus – sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion. The scheme promotes a citizen-centred community-led approach to planning, design and project selection under the Town Centre First framework. Grants of between €40,000 and €200,000 are available to support local authorities with the planning and design phase.

Cathaoirleach of the Southern Regional Assembly, Cllr Terry Shannon said:

“THRIVE has the potential to transform our town centres by adapting and reusing vacant and derelict heritage buildings

and allowing us to create beautiful, sustainable and inclusive spaces to improve the quality of life of our citizens. THRIVE provides the opportunity to rejuvenate our heritage buildings to meet the modern and innovative requirements of our communities today.”

THRIVE is targeted at larger urban settlements – cities, regional growth centres and key towns – and is designed to complement other national funds targeting smaller urban settlements. It is a competitive funding call and with 100% grant aid available, is expected to be highly competitive.

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell TD with the Southern Regional Assembly (SRA) and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) at the launching of the THRIVE scheme, on 8 February 2024 in Adare, Co. Limerick.

The scheme is managed by the two ERDF Managing Authorities – the Southern Regional Assembly and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly. THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. The first call is now open and published on the Assemblies’ websites at www.southernassembly.ie and www.nwra.ie

Understanding URBACT’s Impact at the Custom House

The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) held its URBACT Info Day at the Custom House last Thursday, the 25th of January. The event was well attended with local authority staff from throughout Ireland joining us on the day.

The day begun with some networking over tea and coffee during registration, before hearing from Ireland’s Contact Point Karl Murphy about what the day had in store. Bernie Roe, Assistant Director for EU, and Corporate Affairs at the EMRA spoke about the EMRA’s functions with a focus on why the URBACT and European Urban Initiative (EUI) Contact Point roles were of importance to the work of the Assembly, including allowing us to work across our 31 local authorities and helping in the delivery of the regions’ spatial and economic strategies.

Pauline Riordan, Planning Adviser (DHLGH), spoke about the national planning context, implementation, and other funding opportunities. This led nicely into presentations from both Karl and Naïma Jomni (URBACT Secretariat) about URBACT’s impact in Ireland and the details of the recently opened call for Innovation Transfer Networks. It remains open until March 20th at 2pm! The audience later enjoyed hearing URBACT testimonials from Aoife Sheridan, Senior Executive Officer at Fingal County Council and Lorraine O’ Connor, Town Regeneration Officer at Longford County Council. Aoife and Lorraine have vast experience in URBACT projects. Currently, Aoife is Lead Partner on the EcoCore network and Lorraine is a project partner on the U.R. Impact network.

Aoife Sheridan, from Fingal County Council presenting at URBACT event.

Aoife and Lorraine spoke openly about the positive impact URBACT has had on them, their staff, and the work of their local authority. Both encouraged those in the audience thinking about being part of URBACT to get involved! You can read more about the themes of the current call here.

Lorraine O’Connor from Longford County Council presenting at URBACT event.

Later following a networking lunch, an expert panel of Aoife, Lorraine, Pauline, and Naïma was formed, and using the interactive tool Mentimeter, Karl moderated a session including a series of reflections and questions being put to the panel for their responses. This session generated great interest and the panel comprehensively addressed the questions submitted by the audience.

Expert panel featuring Naïma Jomni, URBACT, Lorraine O’Connor, Longford, Aoife Sheridan, Fingal, Pauline Riordan, DHLGH moderated by Karl Murphy, EMRA.

Before the Info Day concluded, Karl Murphy presented the EUI programme offering. EMRA was appointed as Contact Point for the Programme late last year and both URBACT and the EUI jointly offers a menu of options for all our local authorities throughout Ireland to help foster sustainable urban development.

You can reach out anytime to Karl Murphy, EMRA at kmurphy@emra.ie to chat further about either of the programmes.

EMRA in The Public Sector Magazine

Did you spot EMRA’s article ‘EMRA: Driving A Regional Agenda’ published in the Autumn 2023 edition of the Public Sector Magazine?

Last year was one of high impact for the region and beyond. For the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), 2023 marked a number of achievements that are paving the way for more balanced and inclusive regional development. The article highlights the significant contributions the Regional Assembly made in 2023 to support development in our region.

Read the article on pages 142 to 144 in the August 2023 edition by clicking this link or the image below: https://thepublicsector.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PSMAUT23-WEB.pdf.

Regional Assembly were joint winners of the IPI Planning Awards 2023

The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly were joint winners of the IPI Planning Awards 2023 under the Research and Innovation category for the Regional Development Monitor.

The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) 2023 Planning Awards took place in Clontarf Castle on 28th September. This year’s Planning Awards recognised innovation and excellence in Irish planning. The Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), on behalf of the three Regional Assemblies in Ireland, was joint winner in the Research and Innovation Category for the Regional Development Monitor.

The Regional Development Monitor (RDM), which was launched in November 2022, is a publicly accessible data website that provides a national mapping and visualisation tool with a range of analytics dashboards, designed to enhance understanding of key societal trends in Ireland to aid better decision making and is the biggest open source data hub in the state.

Initiated by the Regional Assemblies, the RDM is a collaborative project between the three Regional Assemblies in Ireland, the All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO) at Maynooth University and spatial infrastructure partners the Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) via the GeoHive platform. Principally designed to Monitor Performance of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs), the RDM assists government departments, regional assemblies, local authorities, planners, policy makers, researchers, elected members and members of the public.
The IPI Planning Awards 2023

The Irish Planning Institute is the largest professional membership body in Ireland representing planners engaging in physical and environmental planning. The IPI awards acknowledge a diverse range of projects and plans nationally taking place at a local, county and regional level in complex and dynamic environments. This year’s Awards recognised innovation and excellence in Irish planning in eight categories.

The eight category winners were:

Plan Making – Kildare County Council – The Athy Local Area Plan 2021-2027 and the Development of a New Generation of Local Area Plans for Kildare
Employment & Enterprise – County Kildare Leader Partnership CLG – Barrow Blueway Economic Plan
Urban Regeneration and Heritage – Donegal County Council – Ballyshannon Historic Towns Initiative Project
Climate Action Biodiversity – EirGrid – The Celtic Interconnector – Good Practice linking Planning, the Planner & Climate Change
Sustainable Communities and Placemaking – Meath County Council – Kilcloon Community Development
Research and Innovation – EMRA on behalf of the Three Regional Assemblies of Ireland – Regional Development Monitor (RDM) – Joint winner – South Dublin County Council – ‘Instantaneous Data’ – A South Dublin Approach to Active Land Management
Workplace of the Year – South Dublin County Council – #Making it Work @ SDCC_Planning
President’s Award – Limerick City and County Council – Young Person Participation in Land Use Planning

Details of each shortlisted entry are available in the awards booklet.

Representatives from the Eastern and Midland, Southern, Northern and Western Regional Assemblies and AIRO at Maynooth University accepting the IPI award 2023 for the Regional Development Monitor on 28th September 2023

Smart and Sustainable Mobility Accelerator workshop held in Dublin

The Smart and Sustainable Mobility Accelerator (SSMA) commenced its Local Authority staff training track this week, and the workshop for the Eastern and Midland Region was held in Dublin on September 27th, 2023.

The SSMA programme and the Sustainable Mobility Academy (online platform), developed by the Regional Assemblies and BABLE Smart Cities and supported by the Department of Transport, represent a holistic training and capacity-building workshop series designed to empower local authorities and stakeholders in the execution of smart and sustainable mobility projects. At its core, the programme seeks to enhance participants’ knowledge, skills, and comprehension of sustainable and smart mobility, while fostering enhanced cross-sectoral collaboration at the grassroots level. Through immersive training sessions and access to valuable resources, local authorities will have the opportunity to identify and nurture pioneering projects, all while benefiting from invaluable peer networking and shared learning experiences. Importantly, this initiative is aligned with the National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) Action Plan 2022-2025.

The workshop was well attended by cross-departmental representatives from the majority of local authorities within the Region, and the participants will next engage in a series of five half-day virtual training sessions, each delving into diverse and pivotal topics including:

The Future of Mobility
Spatial Planning for Sustainable Mobility
Effective Behaviour Change Strategies for Mobility Transition
Governance and Smart Policies
Collaboration and Co-creation
Innovative Financing and Procurement
Evidence-Based Sustainable Transport Planning

The program will culminate in a comprehensive final conference scheduled for November 15th 2023, which will convene all regional assemblies in person. Furthermore, ongoing mentorship sessions led by experts will be integrated into the capacity-building sessions and continue post-conference.

For additional information regarding training sessions and a wealth of resources, including use cases and forums, we invite you to visit the Sustainable Mobility Academy platform, which was officially launched on September 1st.

Participants of the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Accelerator workshop for the Eastern and Midland Region, Dublin, 27 Sept 2023

EMRA appointed as Contact Point for the European Urban Initiative (EUI)

The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly is delighted to announce it has been appointed as the Irish Urban Contact Point (UCP) for the European Urban Initiative (EUI), having been nominated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The EMRA was only last year reappointed as URBACT Contact Point for the new programming period, with both Contact Point functions reaffirming the growing expertise of the Assembly around sustainable urban development. This will equip the Assembly in best supporting towns and cities of all sizes across Ireland with a menu of options when it comes to project calls for funding in both programmes.

Look out for upcoming communication about the EUI, including an online information session! In the meantime, see below for some initial background information on the programme and if you have any immediate questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Karl Murphy, Contact Point for the EUI and URBACT programmes in Ireland at kmurphy@emra.ie

The EUI sets out to support urban areas of all size with innovative actions, capacity and knowledge building, policy development, and communication on sustainable urban development of EU relevance. The projects help test new solutions, techniques, and planning models. In doing this and in line with objective five of the current European Cohesion Policy, namely, bringing Europe closer to its citizens, the European Union seeks to ensure cities are actively involved in designing and implementing policy responses to their local challenges. The EUI further aims out to help realise the Urban Agenda for the EU, working closely with the new URBACT IV programme. The EUI is funded by the EU, with a total ERDF budget of €450m for 2021-27.

There are three main strands of assistance:

Innovative Actions: Urban authorities are supported with up to 80% direct co-financing and up to €5m in ERDF, permitting cities to experiment as testbeds for their innovative idea and then transferring it to other cities. Innovative Actions are organised under themes and these projects give urban authorities the space to take a risk and experiment on innovative and creative solutions to their urban challenges, figure out how they work in practice, before transferring this scalable solution to other EU cities. Innovative Actions’ projects must be participatory and can include agencies, private sector, research institutions, NGOs, academia, industry, civil society, and other levels of government.
Capacity Building: cities’ capacity can be strengthened through the design of sustainable urban development strategies, policies and practices in a way that is integrated and participative. Peer-learning activities are organised to provide targeted and short-term support, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, good practices and solutions via its peer reviews and city-to-city exchanges.
Knowledge environment: cities are also provided with avenues through which horizontal and thematic knowledge and knowhow can be accessed. The knowledge collected and related communication will help ensure support for Urban Agenda cooperation between Member State governments so that evidence-based policy on sustainable urban development can be acquired and developed.

Invitation to Sustainable Mobility Academy

The Sustainable Mobility Academy (SMA) programme has been developed by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, Southern Regional Assembly and Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

Its purpose is to accelerate the implementation of the National Sustainable Mobility Policy goals for safe, green, people-centric and integrated mobility systems across Ireland. It was announced in October 2022 by the Department of Transport as one of the successful projects under the National Pathfinder Programme and is being delivered by BABLE with a consortium of Irish and International experts.

At its core, the SMA programme aims to increase knowledge, competencies, and understanding of sustainable and smart mobility at local and regional government levels through offering a comprehensive capacity building and mentoring programme, empowering participants to take effective actions for sustainable mobility.

Unleashing the Power of Practical Mobility Insights

A remarkable innovation achieved through the Pathfinder project is the development of an online platform named the Sustainable Mobility Academy. The Sustainable Mobility Academy Platform, which is now accessible, serves as a dynamic repository of knowledge. It offers impactful showcases of case studies, project outcomes, and ongoing advancements across Local Authorities within each region, with a particular focus on active travel and sustainable mobility initiatives. This platform simplifies the process of knowledge exchange among local authority staff, allowing for seamless sharing of insights, resources, and tools to support sustainable mobility transformation.

Your Invitation to Get Started

We invite all local, regional, national level and stakeholders to embark on a journey towards impactful and sustainable mobility solutions. The Sustainable Mobility Academy Platform stands ready for your engagement, providing robust features and functionalities to fortify your endeavours. Whether you participated in our recent webinar or are commencing your journey, this platform beckons you to embark on the road to smarter mobility.

Link: https://www.sustainablemobilityacademy.ie/

Apply for Just Transition Platform GROUNDWORK

On 6 February 2023 the Just Transition Platform (JTP) launched a call for applications for a new and targeted technical assistance called JTP GROUNDWORK. It will support eligible Just Transition Fund (JTF) regions in implementing their Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTP).

As the implementation phase of the EU Just Transition Fund starts, the European Commission is rolling out new supports during 2023 which include technical assistance on the ground, knowledge products and case studies, an expert database and a peer-to-peer exchange programme for practitioners. This will enable eligible territories to effectively implement their Just Transition Territorial Plans.

This call is an initiative managed by the European Commission’s Just Transition Platform, and not through EMRA. Queries about the call should be directed to jtpgroundwork@justtransitionplatform.eu.

JTP GROUNDWORK – a co-creative technical assistance facility

The European Commission will provide eligible regions with tailored capacity-building and advisory support. Examples of potential services are:

Project identification and development
Capacity building for regional and local administrations and other key stakeholders
Support for transparent, inclusive, and efficient governance mechanisms for TJTP implementation
Stakeholder engagement and mobilisation
Awareness-raising campaigns and communication strategies
Support to engage in cross-border cooperation with other JTF regions

A core principle of this service is co-creating solutions with recipients to increase ownership and develop long-term capacity. Once selected by the Commission, beneficiaries will jointly develop the scope and type of technical assistance services. Support will be delivered through a mix of face-to-face and online meetings, workshops etc. A specific event will be organised per selected applicant.

All call for application details can be found on the Commission’s website.

DEADLINE for applications: 28 February 2023 at 23:00 CET.