Fundingthrough Ireland-Wales programmefor localbusinesses

WITH the deadline fast approaching, Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce CEO Catriona Murphy is encouraging businesses and communities across the county to apply for funding through the Ireland Wales programme.

The Ireland Wales 2014-2020 European Territorial Co-operation (ETC) programme is a maritime programme connecting organisations, businesses and communities on the West coast of Wales with the South-East coast of Ireland.

The programme is one of a family of ETC programmes which provide opportunities for regions in the EU to work together to address common economic, environmental and social challenges.

The Ireland Wales programme focuses on seeking solutions to shared challenges on both sides of the Irish Sea, to improve the economic and sustainable development priorities of Wales and Ireland.

The programme focuses on: cross border innovation; adaptation of the Irish Sea and coastal communities to climate change; and cultural and natural resources and heritage.

The Ireland Wales programme delivers sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits for people, businesses and communities across Ireland and Wales. Funding is now available for natural resources and heritage proposals.

€9.6m of EU funds are available for cross-border proposals to maximise the potential of Ireland and Wales’ natural and cultural assets to help increase visitor numbers to coastal communities.

This priority of the programme highlights links between the economy and tourism, heritage and the natural environment. It brings together expertise from both nations to meet shared challenges and opportunities from our Irish Sea border.

Proposals will need to incorporate one or more of the following components:

The establishment or development of a network, co-operation platform, portal or strategy;

The transfer or adoption of knowledge, expertise, technologies or best practice;

The enabling or paving the way for investment in the design, development, testing or delivery of new processes, products, studies or services;

Minor scale investments where there is demonstrable cross-border added value and compliance with the objectives of the programme

Each project must have at least one Irish and one Welsh partner with a maximum of six joint partners.

The deadline to submit a proposal is 5pm on July 28. Interested applicants can contact Catriona Murphy at Enniscorthy Chamber of Commerce or Siobhan O’Neill at Wexford County Council.