Northern & Western Regional Assembly

12/03/2026

12/03/2026

HOW CAN STORYTELLING SHAPE PLACES & VISITORS' EXPERIENCE?

N LITELITE invites experts and curious minds from tourism, culture, the creative industries, policy, education, and digital media to its 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 in Galway 🇮🇪. Join the discussion with partners from across Ireland, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, and Sweden!

What to expect:

📚 Insights into literary and cultural tourism across five regions
🎮 Interactive XR experiences and games from the Tale Smiths initiative
🌍 International case studies and cross-regional collaboration
🎥 Youth-led creative projects from the N-LITE programme

🎟 Attendance is free.
📣 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 👉 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/n-lite-final-symposium-tickets-1983942795307?aff=oddtdtcreator

Wednesday 25 March 10am-4.30pm
Mick Lally Theatre, Galway, Ireland


Northern & Western Regional Assembly EU REGIO Interreg

12/03/2026

🇮🇪🇪🇺 We’re excited to kick off a new project in collaboration with Regional Skills West and University of Galway’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Growth & Scaling.

This project will undertake a feasibility study exploring the potential to establish a cross-regional, sector-agnostic “Growth Cluster” focused on strengthening business process capabilities in revenue generation to support company growth.

The initiative builds on the work of an existing working group focused on revenue generation capability development, bringing together industry, skills, and academic partners to examine how collaborative structures can better support SMEs to scale and grow.

We look forward to engaging with stakeholders and businesses across the region as the feasibility study progresses.

The Growth Cluster Smart Regions Stream Four Feasibility Study is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021–2027.

EU Funds Ireland Enterprise Ireland Northern & Western Regional Assembly

10/03/2026

📢 EOI Deadline Extension Scheme

The Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline for the START Scheme under the EU Just Transition Fund has been extended to 18 March 2026.

The scheme supports projects that contribute to climate action and sustainable development in the territory

If your organisation is considering applying, there is still time to submit your EOI.

Apply here 👉 http://pobal.ie/programmes/eujtf-start

09/03/2026

💡Fantastic opportunity for second level students.💡

For weekly chances to win an amazing trip to the European Parliament in Strasbourg along with all other weekly winners register at https://www.graduate.ie/

👉Share with the second level students in your life👈

Week 18 of the Graduate.ie quiz is now live for all second level students across Ireland to take part in.

Weekly chances to win an amazing trip to the European Parliament in Strasbourg along with all other weekly winners!

Best of luck everyone!

Register or Login Here: www.graduate.ie
------------------
The Graduate.ie programme is sponsored by:
European Parliament
Tipperary County Council
Southern Regional Assembly
Leitrim County Council
Mayo County Council
Louth County Council
Fingal County Council
Health and Safety Authority
Roscommon County Council
Ombudsman for Children's Office
Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
Clare County Council
Northern & Western Regional Assembly
Communicating Europe
Cavan County Council
Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly
Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
Fáilte Ireland
Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman - FSPO
CCPC

09/03/2026

🧭 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝗨𝗜 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 4 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

Your project idea is ready – now it’s time to turn it into a strong, actionable plan. That’s the focus of our second 𝗟𝗮𝗯 #2: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻?
📅 12 March | ⏰ 10.30–12.00 CET

In this hands-on session, you’ll explore how to:
✔️ translate a project idea into clear objectives and expected results
✔️define realistic and measurable outputs and indicators

ℹ️ Lab #2 is part of EUI’s full support package, designed to guide you every step of the way: Thematic Labs, online Q&A sessions, 1-to-1 consultations, and national events run by the Urban Contact Points.

👉 Have you saved your seat? https://urban-initiative.pulse.ly/aldfj7b0tw

09/03/2026

How can EU projects help us better understand rural challenges?

On the latest episode of the IDEAS Podcast # 9, Northern and Western Regional Assembly Economist John Daly speaks with Dr. Valerie McTaggart Senior Lecturer & Researcher, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland, about how EU programmes help the Northern & Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) add value to regional policy and research.

One example is the RuralProof - Interreg Europe project we are currently working on with partners across Europe.

Through RuralProof, the NWRA is exploring vacancy and dereliction in rural communities across the Northern & Western Region of Ireland. While these issues are often discussed in urban contexts, we want to better understand what is driving vacancy in rural areas and how the challenges can differ.

By gathering evidence through research, surveys and regional data, the project will help inform stronger policy recommendations and explore how funding and policy approaches could better reflect the realities facing rural regions, including the fact that the Northern & Western Region experiences above average levels of vacancy and dereliction.

EU collaboration allows regions to share knowledge and learn from international best practice.

Interreg Europe

Listen to the discussion here (RuralProof mentioned around 14:47):
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dhH20fhWGTrMmX6riD6Mj?si=m-Ci6BDkSbu9ZDh2lKF1sg&nd=1&dlsi=c9a88c247b434d76
or
Watch the full episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LffjuOnwnnM&feature=youtu.be

John Daly, Economist at NWRA, discusses the incredible economic strength of the Northern and Western region, which contributes over €40 billion to Ireland’s ...

06/03/2026

🎉 International Women’s Day 2026: "Give to Gain" 🎉

Today the Northern and Western Regional Assembly celebrate International Women's Day 2026 recognising the women shaping a more innovative, connected, and resilient region.

This year’s theme, 'Give to Gain,' highlights the power of mutual benefit. When we invest in women - through mentorship, opportunities, and equitable policy - our entire community gains. 🤝

In-house at the NWRA, we are proud of our female staff and female elected members who contribute to making our Region a better place. This afternoon, the staff took a little time out to connect online with a cuppa and a quiz on Irish female trailblazers over the years in politics, enterprise, sports and the arts.

⭐ Happy International Women’s Day to all the trailblazers across Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon, and Sligo – and further afield.

06/03/2026

📢 "When economic development is supported in this region, all regions in the state benefit, people in Donegal benefit as much as those in South Dublin benefit because we are taking economic pressures off the greater Dublin area and we are stimulating greater levels of economic activity in what is a peripheral part of the country, the Northern and Western Region of Ireland." 📢

NWRA economist John Daly perfectly summed up the question of balanced regional development on Atlantic Technological University IDEAS podcast with Dr. Valerie McTaggart recently.

➡️Watch the full episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LffjuOnwnnM&feature=youtu.be

🎧Listen to the full episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dhH20fhWGTrMmX6riD6Mj?si=m-Ci6BDkSbu9ZDh2lKF1sg&nd=1&dlsi=c9a88c247b434d76

RISE@ATU is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021–27.

John Daly, Economist at NWRA, discusses the incredible economic strength of the Northern and Western region, which contributes over €40 billion to Ireland’s national economy every year.

Through EU regional development funding (EDRF), the NWRA supports initiatives like TU RISE at ATU, helping to drive innovation, strengthen talent pipelines, and build long‑term opportunities for our communities.

John put it simply:
"If investing here eases pressure on Dublin, boosts national growth, and strengthens our island as a whole, then the question is: why not invest in our region?"

Watch the full episode https://loom.ly/Y4F8X0Y
Listen to the full episode https://loom.ly/hLytAXA

05/03/2026

🎉 Fantastic weekend for the Region at the LAMA (Local Authority Members Association) Community & Council Awards 2026🎉

👏 Massive congratulations and well done to all the winners from the Northern and Western Region. It is important that good work continues to be recognised.

🏆 Leitrim County Council - Best Green Sustainable Initiative
🏆 Donegal County Council - Ceangal Local Heritage Award
🏆 Mayo County Council - Best Community-Scale Enhancement
🏆 Galway County Council - Best Irish Language Initiative and Best use of Technology and Innovation in Local Government
🏆 Cavan County Council - Best Corporate Social Responsibility Project
🏆 Monaghan County Council - Local Authority Energy Decarbonisation Award
🏆 Roscommon County Council - Community Wellbeing Initiative
🏆 Galway City Council- Best Community Transport Initiative

04/03/2026

We were honoured to welcome Donegal GAA Footaball Manager Jim McGuinness as the keynote speaker at the AIR Training Seminar in Buncrana last week.

In an engaging conversation facilitated by Ciara Doherty, Jim shared powerful insights on:
• Elite sports leadership and motivation
• Resilience in the face of challenges
• The power of teamwork
• Fostering a strong sense of community
• Driving long term performance and success

Jim was formally welcomed to the seminar by Cllr. Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of the Association of Irish Regions, alongside Cllr. Martin McDermott, Cathaoirleach of Inishowen Municipal District, and Cllr. Paul Canning, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council.


Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly
Southern Regional Assembly

04/03/2026

It’s been one week since the Association of Irish Regions (AIR) Training Seminar 2026 took place in Buncrana, Co. Donegal.

The two‑day seminar, themed “Regions Looking Forward to the Coming Decade,” brought together elected members and Assembly stakeholders from across Ireland and provided a valuable forum for discussion, learning and collaboration on the key issues shaping Ireland’s regional development. The seminar was moderated by Ciara Doherty, with Tanya Whyte moderating proceedings on Day Two.

On the second day, attendees also took part in a site visit to Fort Dunree, a key tourism asset in Inishowen, where they heard about plans for significant investment to further develop the site.

Thank you to all our speakers for taking the time to present, participate in panel discussions and engage with questions from attendees. The seminar featured speakers from Galway County Council Donegal County Council, Principality of Asturias, OECD, Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, EirGrid, IDA Ireland, Irish Regions European Office, ERNACT, European Policies Research Centre, Southern Regional Assembly, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, KPMG Ireland, Fáilte Ireland.

The AIR training Seminar was sponsored by IPB Insurance

🔗 Read more about the training seminar on our website:
https://www.nwra.ie/air-training-seminar-2026-brings-together-councillors-from-across-ireland-to-shape-the-future-of-regional-development/

Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly