Category: ERDF News

€34m Research Ireland Hub to accelerate research commercialisation

Healthcare technology research hub in Northern & Western region will focus on chronic disease management
Transformative initiative is co-funded by the European Union & Irish Government

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James LawlessTD, announced the creation of a new ‘Accelerating Research to Commercialisation’ (ARC) Hub to fast-track the commercialisation of scientiﬁc research across Ireland.

The ARC Hub for HealthTech is being established in the Northern and Western Region by Research Ireland, withfunding of €34.3million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Government of Ireland.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister Lawless said: “The Research Ireland ARC Hub for HealthTech willhelp transform regional innovation and entrepreneurial training in the Northern and Western region andbeyond. Enhancing the existing academic-enterprise healthcare and technology ecosystems, the ARCHub will deliver a suite of impactful, on-the-ground supports, beneﬁtting everyone in the process –researchers, engineers, technologists, manufacturers, clinicians, physicians and, critically, patients. Theprovision and delivery of appropriate and effective healthcare is, by its very nature, time-sensitive. TheARC Hub for HealthTech will play an instrumental role in accelerating the commercialisation of researchand getting health solutions to those that need them, faster.”

Welcoming the announcement, Research Ireland’s Interim CEO, Celine Fitzgerald, commented: “The ResearchIreland ARC Hub Programme is spearheading regional development across the country. Following onfrom the joint launch of ARC Hubs for both Therapeutics and ICT in February, the ARC Hub for HealthTechopens up enormous opportunities in the immediate and longer terms for the Northern and Westernregion – its citizens and its healthcare, research and enterprise communities.”

The ARC Hub for HealthTech is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through theNorthern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027, one of two ERDF programmes in Ireland. The ERDFaims to promote economic, social and territorial cohesion across all European regions.

Led by Prof. Garry Duffy of University of Galway, in collaboration with Atlantic Technological University and RCSIUniversity of Medicine and Health Sciences, the ARC Hub for HealthTech is focused on accelerating translationalresearch in chronic disease management, speciﬁcally in thematic areas such as Decision Support andIntervention planning, Smart Implants, Advanced Wearables, Novel Sensors, and Algorithms and Artiﬁcial Intelligence/Machine Learning models.

Speaking of the announcement, Prof. Garry Duffy, Director of the ARC Hub for HealthTech, stated: “We’re excitedto bring together regional and national expertise and connected health innovation through the ARC Hub forHealthTech, creating solutions that will transform how we manage chronic disease in our communities.”

Conall McGettigan, Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, emphasised the transformativepotential of the ARC Hub, stating: “The ARC Hubs represent a groundbreaking initiative to help driveregional development by fast- tracking early-stage, cutting-edge research toward commercialisation. By aligning with Ireland’s smart specialisation strategy and encouraging entrepreneurial ideas within theresearch and innovation eco-system, the Hub will help transform innovative concepts into real economicand societal advancements for the Northern and Western Region.”

RISE@ATU Summer School in ATU Letterkenny

The Northern and Western Regional Assembly were delighted to, along with one of the MEPS for our region, Ciaran Mullooly, participate at the RISE@ATU Summer School in ATU Letterkenny this week.

Ciaran Mullooly informed the participants of the summer school that the European Parliament is prioritising investments in advancements in research and with strengthening partnerships with industry. He referred to the TU Rise initiative for its exemplary practices in fostering collaboration between technical universities and industry leaders. Such partnerships are considered vital not only for innovation but also for the sustainable development of Europe’s economic and scientific landscape.

On behalf of the ERDF Managing Authority, Bobbie Baker, Programme Executive with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly emphasised the significance of innovation and competitiveness as key priorities under the EU co funded Programme.

The RISE@ATU is one of the schemes co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Northern and Western Regional Operational Programme.

The purpose of the scheme is to establish, strengthen, and systemise research and innovation offices in the Technical University to enable engagement with local and regional enterprises and community stakeholders.

As a component of the RISE@ATU scheme, the annual Summer School is facilitating an extensive research training programme, providing opportunities to develop soft skills and become familiar with new concepts, methods and applications. The RISE@ATU Summer School also gives the wider postgraduate research community across the ATU opportunities to develop networks, build collaborations, knowledge transfer and cross-pollination of ideas and perspectives.

ERDF Team visit Irish Regions Office, European Commission and European Parliament

Members of the ERDF team from the Northen and Western Regional Assembly conducted a number of meetings with colleagues from the European Commission and the Irish Regions Office in Brussels.

During the meetings, the team delved into several key topics. They explored Administrative Capacity Building, focusing on events, best practices, and relevant training sessions. The discussion also covered policy evaluation and benchmarking through the open EU data platform, aiming to enhance transparency and efficiency.

In addition, the team discussed Smart and Sustainable Growth, sharing insights on decarbonisation projects from other member states. They also highlighted the importance of supporting green enterprises to foster a more sustainable economy. Effective communication strategies were also a significant part of the conversation, ensuring that all initiatives are well-coordinated and effectively implemented.

The team also had a series of engagements with Members of the European Parliament: Nina Carberry, Barry Cowen, Ciaran Mullooly and Maria Walshe to review progress under the EU Co funded Northern and Western Regional Programme and to gather feedback on relevant regional and EU cohesion policy matters.

Schools Across the Northern and Western Region Celebrate Europe Day

National school children across the Northern and Western Region celebrated Europe Day this week. They learned from this month’s Primary Planet magazine that Europe Day on May 9th commemorates peace, partnership, and progress.

Europe Day marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, signed on May 9, 1950. This event heralded a new era of peace, integration, and democratic cooperation in Europe, laying the foundations for the European Union as we know it today.

Students from various schools in the region participated in a Europe Day Quiz sponsored by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly to test their knowledge of the European Union and EU funding. Participating schools included Abbeycartron National School, Scoil Mhuire Creeslough, Creeslough National School, Annaduff National School, Corlough National School, St Louis Girls National School, Cloghogue National School, St John’s Logboy National School, Scoil Croí Íosa, Presentation Primary School, and Cloonfad National School.

Staff members from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund in the region, visited the participating schools. EU flags were presented to the schools, and the winning students in the Europe Day quiz received book vouchers.

Innovation in Regeneration Conference

EU Co Funded Projects including THRIVE highlighted at Regeneration Conference in the PEACE Campus in Monaghan

The Northern and Western Regional Assembly and Monaghan County Council hosted a conference this week in the PEACE Campus in Monaghan Town to provide innovators, and experts in the field of sustainable regeneration a forum for evaluating the latest innovative regeneration projects across the island of Ireland. Over two days, regeneration practitioners and guest speakers from Ireland and Europe explored the role of innovation in regeneration.

Topics discussed included urban regeneration and the policy background supporting regeneration, vacancy rates and the importance of agglomeration economies for regional development.

Attendees also explored the concept of “Building Stories” to understand urban resilience, and the role of heritage and greenspace in sustainable regeneration.

The event included case studies on the Armagh City Townscape Heritage project, which aims to restore historic properties and create new spaces for businesses and residents and the Castleblayney Gate Lodge restoration project, renovating that derelict building to provide a modern public library, community, and cultural space.

There were presentations and discussions focused on biodiversity considerations in regeneration projects and highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity and urban design and landscape architecture.

Also showcased was the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) and various regeneration programmes, EU funding streams and their impact.

Colleagues from the Valletta Design Cluster in Malta shared a good practice case study from Europe, demonstrating how European co-funding and the New European Bauhaus brought a former slaughterhouse back to life and created a vibrant, beautiful and sustainable, shared community space on that island.

Overall, the conference provided valuable insights into innovative regeneration projects and the importance of collaboration, data, and sustainability in urban planning. All the presentations from the conference are available to download here: https://www.nwra.ie/innovation-in-regeneration-agenda/

EU co funded €217 Million Euro Investment Programme reviewed

Members of the Northern Western Regional Programme Monitoring Committee met in Carrick on Shannon to review progress under the ERDF Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021 – 2017.

The Monitoring committee which has members from a variety of stakeholders including the European Commission, meets regularly to monitor progress and agree any necessary changes required under the regional programme.

At the meeting members discussed the launch of calls from all eight schemes in the Programme.

The Schemes are:

KT Boost,
Technology Gateways
Innovators Initiative
Smart Regions
TU RISE
THRIVE
Warmer Homes
ARC Hubs

A number of other important monitoring actives under the programme were also reviewed including: Enabling Conditions, Horizontal Principles, Evaluation and Communications.

The meeting also reviewed the 29 operations that are currently selected, and noted that 50% of the total programme allocation is now awarded.

Read about the Programme:https://www.nwra.ie/erdf/northern-and-western-regional-programme-2021-2027/

List of beneficiaries of the Programme: https://www.nwra.ie/erdf/erdf-beneficiaries/

The ERDF Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027 is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

€25 Million Available in Second Call for THRIVE Scheme in our Region

Building on the success of the initial funding round in 2024, Ireland’s Regional Assemblies are pleased to announce the second call for applications under Strand 2 of THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme.

€85 Million in funding will be made available through Ireland’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programmes to restore vacant or derelict heritage buildings in public ownership; revitalising our urban centres, bringing valued heritage buildings back into use as community assets and delivering on New European Bauhaus and Town Centre First policies.

The funding call opened on the 16th January 2025 with awards of up to €7 million available to refurbish, restore, and adapt publicly owned heritage buildings within town centres.

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

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

Announcing the second call, 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”.

Welcoming the call, Cathaoirleach of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Cllr Jarlath Munnelly, highlighted the transformative potential of the THRIVE scheme, stating:

“By addressing vacancy and restoring our heritage buildings, we can turn town centres into vibrant hubs where people want to live, work, and visit. This funding represents a key step towards sustainable urban regeneration in our region.”

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.

This scheme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through Ireland’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Northern and Western Regional Programme 21-27 and 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 in the Northern and Western Region by the ERDF Managing Authority – the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

Application guidelines and eligibility criteria are available here: https://www.nwra.ie/erdf/schemes/thrive/#toggle-id-3

THRIVE public consultation in Carrick on Shannon

Leitrim County Council held a very well attended ‘pop up’ consultation at the Farmers’ Market at the Carrick-on-Shannon Market Yard on Thursday 19th December 2024.

The consultation was an opportunity for members of the public to give their views on the future use of the Carrick-on-Shannon Town Hall building on Bridge Street in the heart of the town centre.

The consultation process forms part of the THRIVE project which is a funding program that supports the renewal of urban centres through the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. The program is co-funded by the Irish Government & the European Union through the ERDF Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-27 and is intended to help revitalise local towns and villages.

The THRIVE project requires local authorities to promote the values of the New European Bauhaus in their projects. This includes making projects sustainable, accessible, inclusive, and aesthetically pleasing.

If you missed the event, you can still send Leitrim County Council your thoughts via an online survey which will be open until 5pm on Friday 10th January 2025.

The survey can be found by scanning this QR code:

or visiting this website https://giveyourviews.typeform.com/CarrickTownHall

Justin Fannon, Director of Services, Leitrim County Council and Yvette Keating, Programme Executive, Northern and Western Regional Assembly at the Public Consultation.

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https://www.nwra.ie/erdf/schemes/thrive/

Building the Future of Irish Towns

Representatives from 31 Irish Local Authorities came together for a training session on how to better integrate the New European Bauhaus values of aesthetics, sustainability, and participation into THRIVE projects from the early stages of development.

The THRIVE – Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme financially supports Irish local authorities in renovating heritage buildings in town centres through ERDF and National co-funding, that incorporate the values of the New European Bauhaus.

Hosted by European Urban Initiative (EUI), in partnership with the Southern Regional Assembly, the Northern & Western Regional Assembly and the European Commission, the hugely successful ‘Building the Future’ event in Limerick gave practical advice and shared tools to ensure projects are sustainable, beautiful and inclusive through participatory processes, multi-level engagement, and a transdisciplinary approach throughout the project timeline.

So far, 26 projects have received funding through THRIVE Strand 1 to develop integrated urban strategies and for project pipeline development. Also, 5 projects have received THRIVE Strand 2 funding for refurbishment, renovation and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings across Ireland.

Another THRIVE funding call will open in January 2025 which offers a significant opportunity for local authorities to access capital funding of up to €7 million for sustainable urban development projects.

THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027 and the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027.

For more information on the ERDF THRIVE funding scheme please visit: https://www.nwra.ie/erdf/schemes/thrive/

Visit to EU Co funded Innovators’ Initiative Project

The Northern and Western Region Assembly had a wonderful opportunity this week to visit the University of Galway and see how the EU Co Funded Innovators’ Initiative is progressing at the Bioinnovate Centre.

Innovators’ Initiative is in an immersive, needs-led entrepreneurship programme that lasts for 9 months, offering a postgraduate diploma.

Along with colleagues from Enterprise Ireland and Bioinnovate, we had the opportunity to engage with both mentors and participants of the programme, who are currently undergoing the initial phase, which includes a bootcamp, anatomy training, and clinical immersion.

The current group of 12 participants, which were selected from diverse professional backgrounds are exploring three separate clinical areas, working towards identifying clinical needs before exploring potential solutions.

The engaging discussions with participants shed light on their motivations and positive experiences of the initial phase of the programme and we will be sharing details of some of those experiences on our website as the programme progresses.

Upon completing the program, participants will have crafted an advanced technical solution for a business opportunity, potentially paving the way for a high-potential startup (HPSU) or leading to licensed technology.

For more information on Innovators’ Initiative, please click on the link.