1. AIR Training Event, May 26th 2017
EU Opportunities
AIR Training Event, May 26th 2017

3. Budget : €56m
Grate Rate: 65%
Eligible Counties
Cork
Kerry
Clare
Limerick
Galway
Mayo
Leitrim
Sligo
Donegal
Supporting Energy Efficiency,
Entrepreneurship, E-Health,
Heritage, Marine Economy

4. Programme update following four calls for projects
35 Projects approved across Programme Area
Approx 67% of budget allocated to date or €37.5m
€18.5m of Programme Funds remaining approx
23 Projects involving 33 Irish Partner organisations, 6 Irish Lead Partners
€5m approx approved to Irish partner organisations
Fifth Call – Opens October 1st 2017, Closes February 28th 2018
Focus on Thematic Gaps

5. Approved Thematics - examples
Craft sector Development –
Innovation in Manufacturing – Sligo LEO & Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre
Public service Innovation - ERNACT, Donegal Co Council
Creative Industries - Western Development Commission
Slow Adventure Tourism – Leitrim Co Council
Marine sector Cruise Tourism – Cork Institute of Technology/Donegal Co Council
- Circular Economy - Cork Co Council/Macroom-E
Marine Pollution
Upland Conservation/ Heritage – Donegal Co Council
Energy Secure Communities – Donegal Co Council, Leitrim Co Council & ERNACT
Public Housing Retrofit – Cork County Council
Renewable Energies/Water Infrastructure – Mayo Co Council
Geo Park Tourism development - Cavan Co Council
Technology for Older Citizens- Limerick City & Co Council
Staff Retention in rural regions
Climate Change Management Plans

6. Programme Budget of €140m ERDF : 2014 to 2020 – Grant Rate 75%
Four eligible Priorities
Innovation & Competitiveness
Eco-Innovation, Renewables & Green Growth
Environmental Risk
Biodiversity & Atlantic cultural assets.
Programme open to :
Local Authorities
State Agencies
Universities & Institutes of Technologies
Research Institutes
Business Representative Groups
Private Sector
Community/Voluntary Sector

7. Programme Update following Opening Call for Projects
102 Full Applications submitted to Call
Decisions made on May 5th 2017
45 projects approved across the 5 Member States - Total EU Funding package approved of €87.9m
42 projects with Irish Interest
Total EU Grant aid awarded to Irish partner organisations - €12.4m

8. Irish Partners – Examples
Sligo Co Council
EPA
Cork City Council/ Cork County
Mayo Co Council
Donegal Co Council
Cavan Co Council
Clare Co Council
NUI Galway
G.M.I.T
DCU
TEAGASC
UCC
Limerick IoT
ERNACT
Udaras Na Gaeltachta
BIM
WESTBIC
Enterprise Ireland
Dept Housing, Planning & LG

9. Approved Thematic Areas - Examples
Atlantic Food Trails
Export Market Development/ Internationalisation opportunities
Marine Research
Marine Pollution/ Spatial Planning
Seafood Development
Tourism/Cultural Exchange – Cycle ways/ Geo Parks development

10. Significant Local Authority Involvement across all
INTERREG Programmes
PROJECT EXAMPLES

11. Co – Innovate Project €14.7m ERDF awarded By SEUPB
Led by INTER TRADE IRELAND
East Border Region Ltd (EBR)
6 Border Local Enterprise Offices
Scottish Enterprise
Highlands & Islands Enterprise
Supporting 1400 Micro firms & SMEs in the Manufacturing sector with intentions to export through Innovation audits & Management Development

12. Carlingford Lough Greenway Project
€2.9m ERDF awarded by SEUPB
Supporting the development of 10.1km for Cross Border Greenways linking Newry & Carlingford.
Partnership Louth Co Council
East Border Region Ltd
Newry Mourne & Down District Council

13. Supporting Higher Education/ SME Collaboration to increase the level of products coming to the marketplace – Design Led Innovation to increase Cross Border activity.
Renewable Energies
Food & Drink
Life Science Sectors
Total investment of €2.9m across Ireland/Wales eligible area
IT CARLOW
WEXFORD CO. COUNCIL
BIM
Pembrokshire Co Council
Carmarthenshire Co Council
Swansea University

14. Supporting Energy Efficiency in Housing & Public Infastructure
Developing ‘Smarter Energy Communities’
Retrofit of 24 Public Buildings
Install alternative energy sources in 3 Public Buildings
Increase Energy Efficiency by 5% in Public Buildings
€1.8m Investment
Led By ERNACT
Donegal & Leitrim Co Councils
Derry & Strabane District Council
North Karelia (Finland)
County of Vasternorrland ( Sweden)
Nova Scotia, Canada

15. E-Lighthouse Project
Retrofitting Public Housing stock ( existing & New builds)
Energy Savings in Public Lighting
Increased Energy Efficiency
€1.9m investment
Technological Institutes
Local Authorities
Energy Agencies
Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Greenland, Scotland
CORK CO COUNCIL – Retrofitting 60 low Income homes

16. ASCENT PROJECT €1.65m investment Led by Donegal Co Council
Newry & Mourne/Down Dis Council
Hordaland Co Council ( No)
National Parks/Wildlife ( Fi)
Soil Conservation Service ( Is)
Supporting Upland Heritage & Conservation Planning for Local Authorities across Northern Europe

17. Investment of €1.2m
Development of Sailing/Yacht Crusing Route from Southern Ireland to Western Norway
Cork – Donegal – Derry – Glasgow – Western Norway

18. Postgraduate Diploma in
European Studies
Delivered in Association with European Institute of Communications & The Leuven Institute
Objective – to Upskill Local Authority Officials & Regional Bodies in EU Proposal preparation & understanding EU affairs
Two Programmes piloted
Mix of Regional Workshops & 2 day Study visit to Brussels & Leuven Institute
Excellent Response Nationally

19. Postgraduate Diploma in
Senior Planners
Directors of Service
EU Programme Manager
Administrative Officer
Senior Executive Officer
Auditor
Conservation Officer
Institute of Technology Lecturers.
Engineers
Architect
Postgraduate Diploma in
European Studies

20. Northern and Western Regional Assembly
Thank You
Michael O’ Brien,
Programme Executive
Northern and Western Regional Assembly