Fifteen projects in the Midlands are due to receive €18m in grant aid from the ‘EU Just Transition Fund’ (EU JTF) programme, with all of the awarded projects to invest in local communities to create employment and to diversify the local economy of the Midlands region.
The projects range from innovation and community hubs to education and training programmes, and from green energy projects to heritage initiatives. Thirteen projects, led by or with strong involvement from local authorities, have been awarded grant funding of between €200,000 and €1 million to deliver actions in line with their Local Economic and Community Plans in the Midlands.
Two further strategic flagship projects, supporting the delivery of the Regional Enterprise Plans, have been approved for funding of over €8 million. Firstly, Munster Technological University (MTU) in partnership with Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and the University of Limerick (UL) will deliver education and training opportunities for the economic development and environmental sustainability of the region.
Secondly, the local authorities in Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath will allocate dedicated resources to realise sectoral ambitions in line with the objectives for the Regional Enterprise Plan, including the Midland pathway to transition to a net-zero economy, Midlands Ireland Placemaking Programme and the Midlands Ireland Regional Food and Drink Strategy.
Commenting on the projects approved for funding under the scheme, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said that the changes to be made must ensure that the needs of people and planet are supported.
“This scheme will help communities across the Midlands to maximise the opportunities and benefits of the green economy by harnessing and supporting the implementation of bottom-up local and regional strategies. This will help build new economic strength and identity for the region while also supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy,” the Minister noted.
