Launch of EU JTF Midlands Pathway to Just Transition Project

A €3.9 million project to boost economic growth in Ireland’s Midlands was launched at the Cube in Portlaoise on 4th October 2024. The Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan, Pathway for Just Transition, aims to support Longford, Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath. It was launched by Ministers Eamon Ryan and Peter Burke. The project is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union by the EU Just Transition Fund.

Under the scheme a series of  actions will be implemented to support the regions economy in five distinct areas:

• Midlands Pathway to Transition – supporting the transition to a net zero economy
• Delivering the Midlands Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan
• Delivering the Midlands ICT Action Plan
• Delivering the Midlands Ireland Placemaking Programme
• Delivering the Midlands Ireland Regional Food and Drink Strategy

In addition to supporting economic development this Midlands Pathway Plan places a heavy emphasis on education and future skills. There will be an expansion of award-winning regional STEM education programmes, such as Dream Space and VEX Robotics, to over 280 primary and secondary schools across the region. The programme will also support investment in digitalisation and equipment for schools.

Appropriate resourcing will be assigned to ensure the delivery of action plans that have been developed to support the growth of the key enterprise sectors of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, ICT and Food and Drink. In addition, the development of career pathways aims to provide people with upskilling and reskilling opportunities, such as in the area of ICT, where a regional skill survey identifies approximately 800 job openings in the next three years.

Speaking at the launch, Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications said

“A just transition is all about ensuring that the benefits and opportunities of the transition to a green economy are shared widely and equally. The purpose of the Just Transition Fund is to help communities not only move towards a new green future, but to ensure that they thrive, that they are great places to live and work and that they have a strong economic path and future. This Enterprise Plan is about hooking into the ingenuity, drive and innovation that is here in the Midlands and turning it into a vibrant economic region that will deliver real improvements for people right across the four counties while also supporting ongoing decarbonisation.”

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly, said

 “The launching of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Pathway for Just Transition project is an important occasion for not just the EU Just Transition Fund programme but also for the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, having been instrumental in the inception of the EUJTF Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme. It is a testament to the Regional Assembly, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and Pobal’s commitment to supporting local ideas and innovations for navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by the transition to a climate-neutral economy. This project shows how a regional approach can amplify impacts and we are looking forward to following its progress.”

The project will have a transformative impact on the employment base within the region. The project proposes generating employment, including the provision of ‘Just Transition Officers’, appointed at Local Authority level in Offaly, Longford, Westmeath and Laois. These Officers will seek to directly support impacted communities and facilitate collaboration across Just Transition projects with their technical expertise. They will support and empower those who seek alternative employment and community opportunities, demonstrating the strong commitment of local Authorities in supporting communities across the core EU JTF territory.

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