Northern & Western Regional Assembly

24/04/2026

Representatives from Ireland’s Northern and Western Region participated in the second interregional meeting of the SUP4SUD project this week, held over three days in Barcelona. The event brought together project partners from across Europe to share experiences, good practices and policy approaches focused on sustainable urban development.




Representatives from Ireland’s Northern and Western Region participated in the second interregional meeting of the SUP4SUD project this week, held over three days in Barcelona. The event brought together project partners from across Europe to share experiences, good practices and policy approaches...

24/04/2026

Earlier this week NWRA staff Eiméar Dowd and Caroline McGowan, attended the 7th International Meeting in beautiful Regensburg, Germany as part of the GREENHEALTH-Interreg Europe project. https://www.interregeurope.eu/greenhealth

The visit focused on collaboration, knowledge exchange, and shaping actionable recommendations for healthier, greener regions.

👉 Day 1 highlights included:
Interactive sessions on selected practices (Finland, Catalonia, Scotland), networking over lunch, and an outdoor walk in the beautiful city parks. The day was complete with a Bavarian buffet accompanied by wonderful live classical music.

👉 Day 2 highlights:
Reflection and wrap-up, Steering Committee discussions, risk assessment, and forward planning, with a continued focus on impact and next steps.

A huge thank you to the organisers, hosts, and project partners for making this an unforgettable experience



Image Credits EUROPARC and Caroline McGowan

20/04/2026

16/04/2026

📢 Can you believe it’s already been three weeks since we launched the pre-draft consultation for the new Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Northern and Western Region?

⏰ There are just five weeks remaining to have your say and make a submission.

🗓 Submission deadline: Friday, 22 May 2026 at 6pm

Your input is vital in shaping the future development of the region, make sure your voice is heard.

Find out more and make your submission at: https://consult.nwra.ie/en

02/04/2026

🤝 Last week most of the NWRA team came together for a productive team meeting.

It was a great opportunity to celebrate our recent work, reflect on how far we've come, and look ahead as we plan for the future.

A big thank you to all our partners and stakeholders for your continued support. Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable Easter break 🐣

02/04/2026

The first quarter of 2026 has been a busy and exciting time for the NWRA🚀

➡️ Check out our Q1 2026 newsletter https://mailchi.mp/nwra/nwra-q4-2025-newsletter-14069045

📢 Don't miss out. Stay informed, stay connected, sign up for future newsletters today📩 https://www.nwra.ie/subscribe/

31/03/2026

🎉 The call for applications for the 2026 is now open!

The 24th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities takes place in Brussels from 12 to 14 October 2026, under the motto "Strong Regions, Strong Europe".

If your organisation works in regional or local government, manages EU funds, or contributes to European programmes – this is your chance to host a session at Europe's largest event on cohesion policy.

All the details are available via the link below: who can apply, session formats, the timeline, and what to focus on in your application.

📅 Deadline: 26 April 2026

Apply here 👉 https://link.europa.eu/74WV6Q

European Committee of the Regions

30/03/2026

📊 New County Data Dashboards Launched by NWRA

The NWRA has launched a new County Data Dashboard, giving easy access to up-to-date data across Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo, and Galway.

🔎 Explore insights on:
• Population trends
• Economic development
• Housing
• Climate progress
• Transport

This is a major step towards supporting better planning, stronger funding applications, and smarter decision-making across the region.

👉 Learn more about the NWRA’s County Data Dashboards here https://www.nwra.ie/policy-and-research-publications/

Donegal County Council Leitrim County Council Sligo County Council Monaghan County Council Cavan County Council Roscommon County Council Mayo County Council Galway County Council Galway City Council

27/03/2026

📌 A Special Meeting of the Association of the Irish Regions (AIR) and the OECD took place in City Hall yesterday, Thursday 26th March.

The OECD is are currently embarking on a fact finding mission: “Strengthening Ireland’s regions: Towards a stronger multi-level governance system for improved national performance.”

Members of AIR met with the OECD to share insights, challenges, and opportunities within their regions.

Pictured - Margarida Bandeira Morais (OECD), Miguel Vidal-Bover (OECD), Cllr. Patsy Glennon, Cllr Niall “Botty” O’ Callaghan (Caothairleach, AIR), Cllr. Cllr David Healy, Claire Bannon (Director, EMRA), Conall McGettigan (Director, NWRA)

Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly
OECD

27/03/2026

A wonderful evening at the Embassy of Ireland, London, where Cathaoirleach Michael Frain and Tanya Whyte represented the Northern and Western Region at a special reception celebrating 40 years of Ireland West Airport Knock.

Sincere thank you to Ambassador Martin Fraser and Mrs Deirdre Fraser for the invitation. The event brought together political representatives from the region, members of the IWAK team, and many London based business people with strong Irish roots and connections.

Ireland West Airport Knock has been a lifeline for the West and North West for four decades, supporting travel, tourism, investment, and community links that continue to shape the region’s future.

A proud celebration of an airport that means so much to so many ✈️🇮🇪

Ireland West Airport | Cllr. Micheal Frain | Irish Embassy London| Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage | Irish Foreign Ministry | Aer Lingus | Fáilte Ireland | Ryanair |

26/03/2026

📢 The Northern and Western Regional Assembly has officially commenced the review of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) 2020–2032, with the intent of making a new strategy, marking the beginning of an important process to shape a new strategy for the region.

👉Your input is important.

📖 Covering counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Mayo, and Galway, this strategy is a key policy framework guiding long-term (up to 20 years) regional development. It supports the National Planning Framework and aligns with Government economic objectives, grounded in the principles of proper planning and sustainable development.

The RSES will address a wide range of critical areas, including:
📍Sustainable settlement patterns and transport strategies
📍Strategic employment and economic development
📍Housing and population growth
📍Renewable energy and climate action
📍Infrastructure provision such as water, energy (including renewables), communications, and waste
📍Education, healthcare, and sporting facilities at regional scale
📍Environmental protection, landscape and heritage, including the Gaeltacht
📍Coastal, marine, and flood management
📍Integrated land-use and transport planning
📍Planning at regional scale for Galway Metropolitan Area, Regional Growth Centres (Letterkenny, Sligo and Athlone (part) and key towns (to be identified)
📍Implementation and monitoring measures

🖥️ Yes, a lot of work for the team in the coming months!

📧 The pre-draft consultation phase is now open, and the Assembly is inviting submissions from all interested individuals/parties.

Further details on how to participate are available at https://consult.nwra.ie/

🗓️ Deadline for submissions: Friday, 22 May 2026 at 6:00pm.

Please share to help spread the word!

Donegal County Council | Monaghan County Council | Cavan County Council | Leitrim County Council | Sligo County Council | Mayo County Council | Roscommon County Council | Galway City Council | Galway County Council | Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

23/03/2026

🗓️ March Assembly - 20th March 2026 🗓️

📢 Dr. Karl Murphy presented to NWRA elected Members on the URBACT and European Urban Initiative (EUI) programmes. Both programmes support Irish towns and cities of all sizes with regard to challenges around sustainable urban development. Both programmes have currently-open calls which are applicable to all local authorities in the Northern and Western region, including the brand new URBACT call for Actions.

📢 Tanya Whyte, a.Assistant Director/Senior Planner for Planning and Economic Development informed the Members that the commencement of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the region will formally commence on the 26th of March. She also outlined the first statutory stages of this process i.e. pre-draft consultation. Check out our social media and website for further details on this consultation from 26th March.

👏 Thanks to Leitrim County Council who facilitated this meeting.

Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly

URBACT
European Urban Initiative