Europe Direct Sligo

22/02/2026

Commission launches new European partnership to strengthen pandemic research and preparedness

On 17 February, the European Commission launched BE READY, a new European partnership for pandemic preparedness, to strengthen the EU's capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond rapidly to epidemics and pandemics. Benefitting from €120 million in EU funding, the partnership will launch annual joint transnational calls that will foster collaboration across Europe and beyond.

Main URL: https://beready4pandemics.eu/

22/02/2026

EU launches new toolbox to strengthen ICT supply chain security

The EU introduced a new ICT Supply Chain Security Toolbox, outlining risk scenarios and recommends mitigation measures, including the assessment of critical suppliers, the importance of multi-vendor strategies and approaches to overcome dependencies on high-risk suppliers. It empowers Member States to strengthen ICT supply chain security.

Main UR: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/toolbox-improve-ict-supply-chain-security

21/02/2026

21/02/2026

Commission launches investigation into Shein under the Digital Services Act
The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Shein, under the Digital Services Act, for its addictive design, the lack of transparency of recommender systems, as well as the sale of illegal products, including child sexual abuse material.

Main URL https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_420

20/02/2026

🌱 Community Seed Share – Saturday, 21 February

Irish Seed Savers have been saving and sharing rare heirloom seed varieties for over 30 years. Join our Community Seed Share and help keep these important varieties growing in gardens and allotments across Ireland.

Discover a wide range of seeds, from heritage Irish and open-pollinated heirloom varieties to unusual plants carefully conserved by Irish Seed Savers.

Bring your own seeds to swap and share. No seeds? You’re still very welcome to come along, collect seeds and start your seed-saving journey.

What’s on:
👧 Kids seed activities
🌿 Guided tour of the Heritage Seed Gardens (2.30–3.30pm)
☕ Café open 11am–4pm

Tickets:
🎟 €6 general admission
🎟 Free for Supporters (log in to claim)
🎟 Free for children

🚌 Important:
Park & Ride from Scariff Mart (V94 YD98) with a free shuttle bus.

🔗 Book here: https://irishseedsavers.ie/product-category/workshops/events-2/

20/02/2026

A single road death is one too many.

In 2024, 19,940 people lost their lives in road traffic accidents across the EU, a 12% drop compared to 2019.

But every road death is a tragedy.
And progress is real. But it is not enough.

To meet our goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030 and moving towards Vision Zero by 2050, we must accelerate our efforts.

We will focus on safer infrastructure, stronger enforcement, vehicle technologies, new mobility, and road safety research.

Safer roads are not optional. They are essential.

20/02/2026

Commission adopts proposals for the signing, provisional application and conclusion of EU-UK Agreement in respect of Gibraltar

The Commission has adopted its proposals for an agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom in respect of Gibraltar. The main objective is to secure the future prosperity of the whole region removing all physical barriers on persons and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar, while fully safeguarding Schengen, the EU's Single Market, and its Customs Union.

Main URL :https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_428

20/02/2026

Local Enterprise Week – Fireside Chat part of the All In A Days Work national campaign.

Date: 2nd March 2026
Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Venue: The Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo

Join Local Enterprise Office Sligo at The Glasshouse Hotel for a Local Enterprise Week Fireside Chat, featuring local business owners who will share their real-life experiences of using LEO supports to improve efficiency, sustainability, and digital capability in their businesses.

Guest Speakers
Kevin Quinn, The Bourbon Bar – Green for Business & Energy Efficiency Grant
Kevin will discuss how these supports helped his business become more environmentally sustainable while reducing energy costs.

Deirdre, Salon 2 – LEAN for Business
Deirdre will share how participating in the LEAN for Business programme helped streamline processes and improve overall business efficiency.

Colin Diamond, Clever Office – Digital for Business
Conor will outline how Digital for Business supports enabled his company to become more digitally capable and operate more efficiently.

MC: Maeve McCormack

Event Schedule
12:30pm – 1:00pm: Tea, sandwiches and networking

1:00pm – 1:10pm: Introduction to Local Enterprise Office Sligo and overview of the Green for Business, LEAN for Business and Digital for Business supports

1:10pm – 1:45pm: Fireside chat with guest speakers, hosted by the MC

1:45pm – 2:00pm: LEO staff will be on hand if any attendees have any queries.

This event is ideal for businesses interested in learning how LEO supports can help improve productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness.

**Should you have any special access requirements, please contact localenterprise@sligococo.ie in advance and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.**

19/02/2026

19/02/2026

19/02/2026

19/02/2026

🎁 Join the NatAlli Community Platform before 31st March and be in with a chance to win our prize draw. https://natalliproject.eu/platform/

The NatAlli free, cross-border space is dedicated to supporting well-educated Ukrainian women through mentoring to become entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs. Already, 120+ members are connecting, learning, and supporting each other, now YOU’RE invited to join them.

Inside the NatAlli Community Platform, you’ll find the NatAlli Toolkit and learning modules, with two flexible pathways:

For mentors: Focuses on preparation, active listening, and cultural awareness to support meaningful, high-quality mentoring relationships.

For mentees:
Guiding you through confidence building, leadership development, entrepreneurial action, pathways to leadership, and even becoming a mentor yourself.

The tools are practical, user-friendly, and designed so you can choose what’s most relevant to your journey.
https://natalliproject.eu/platform/

A space to grow, connect, and lead: Together.

Приєднуйтеся до платформи спільноти NatAlli до 31 березня та візьміть участь у нашому розіграші призів.

Наша безкоштовна міжнародна платформа створена для підтримки високоосвічених українських жінок через менторство на шляху до підприємництва. Уже понад 120 учасниць і учасників спілкуються, навчаються та підтримують одне одного — тепер ми запрошуємо і вас приєднатися до спільноти.

На платформі спільноти NatAlli ви знайдете інструментарій NatAlli та навчальні модулі за двома гнучкими напрямами:

🔹 Для менторів:

Фокус на підготовці, активному слуханні та міжкультурній обізнаності для створення змістовних і якісних менторських взаємин.

🔹 Для менті:

Покроковий супровід у розвитку впевненості, лідерських навичок, підприємницьких дій, побудові шляхів до лідерства та навіть підготовці до ролі ментора.

Інструменти є практичними, зручними у використанні та дозволяють обирати саме те, що найбільше відповідає вашому власному шляху.

👉 https://natalliproject.eu/platform/

Простір для зростання, взаємодії та лідерства. Разом.