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European Projects

The Western Development Commission offers our Region unparalleled access to strategic, cohesive EU funded projects which has led to real change in sectors such as the creative economy, Renewable energy, niche tourism and business development.

Impact of EU Projects on our region

300+

Regional SME's supported through EU projects

26

New products innovated with EU partners in the region

99

Publications to support growth in key regional sectors

148

Jobs retained or created to date

€49.9M

Total EU Project value brought to the region

By enabling businesses and communities to access international expertise and financing, the Western Development Commission has conferred a significant advantage upon the West of Ireland region.

Since 2009, we have been involved in 29 projects valued at over €49.9 million, in collaboration with a network of more than 150 European partners. These initiatives have bolstered the regional job market, directly supporting over 300 Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the West of Ireland.

Our collaborations extend across borders, featuring partners from Northern Ireland, the UK, Scotland, Nordic countries, and other EU member states such as Greece, Germany, and Italy. Each project is bespoke, crafted by experts in relevant fields to augment both economic and social opportunities in the regions and countries involved.

Even more importantly, these efforts have facilitated the launch of 26 new products through innovation and transnational collaboration. This has spurred growth in key emerging sectors, such as the regional creative economy—which has now expanded to a value of over €700 million—as well as renewable energy and the green economy.

At present, we are engaged in initiatives focusing on the Creative Economy, Niche Tourism, the Blue Economy, and SME mentoring. These are all areas with high growth potential for the region in the years to come.

Current Projects

GoNaturePositive!

9536

Advancing a Nature-Positive Economy through Collaborative Innovation

ASTRIC

9415

Attract Skills and Talent Through Regional Innovation Capacity Insights

GH2M

9173Hydrogen Molecules Against Blue Background

Accelerating the Deployment of Green Hydrogen Mobility in EU Regions

GRANDIS

9180Grandis Poster

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Green and Digital Technologies

embrAIsme

9083AI Illustration

Helping SMEs to Embrace AI

DIBEST

9084Fanad Lighthouse at Sunset

Sustainable Solutions for Tourism Microenterprises

Blue Circular Nets (CIRCNETS)

9086Boxes of used fishing nets.

Sustainable Solutions for End of Life Fishing Nets

Data2Sustain

9537Data2Sustain Logo

Guiding Organisations on their Digital Transformation Journey

REWARD

9163Reward Lead Image

Retaining and Attracting Knowledge Workers for Regional Development

VIADUCT

9085Picture of a railway Viaduct bridge located in Newport Town, Co Mayo

Advancing Knowledge Transfer and Innovation

SPECTRA

9077Artist Johnny McCabe in his studio and gallery at Donegal Craft Village.

Empowering Creative Ecosystems Across Europe

N-LITE

9088Picture of a kid wearing a Virtual Reality visor

Merging Literary Tourism with Cutting-Edge Immersive Technology

THREAD

9091Recycling sign displayed on top of net bag

Rethinking Textile Waste

UnicornQuest

9096An image of a Unicorn

Crafting Europe’s Tech Future Through ‘Small Valleys’

Completed Projects

ReDirect

9098Image of Biochar

ReDirect – Developing regional businesses in emerging Biomass markets

Blue Circular Economy

9099An image of a wave breaking

Working to grow businesses to address plastic marine waste

Bizmentors

9100Funny work advice situation. A man and a lady share a joke at work

BizMentors International – Facilitating economic growth, through the delivery of best practice mentoring and technology.

LECo Project

9102A wind farm at sunset

Enabling communities to become self sufficient in energy production and consumption.

Extra SMEs

9104School of fish in the sea

Improving policies to boost SME competitiveness and extraversion in EU coastal and rural areas where aquaculture is…

Spot-Lit

9107Still from the Spot Lit animation

Putting Literary Tourism on the Map

How we help

We develop, pilot and support projects with partners from all over Europe.