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Over €4m has been awarded under the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding Scheme for projects which will see Councils in the south colloborate with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and other local NI councils to develop cross-border investment projects over the next 12 months.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will colloborate on six of the projects. One of the projects will see them work with Louth County Council as well as East Border Region, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and the Loughs Agency, towards a proposal to establish the Carlingford Lough area as a premier outdoor recreation destination. Another will check out the feasability of running a Columban Way walking route through the district.
25 Cross-Border Projects in total were awarded funding with Biodiversity, Agri-Food, Tourism, Economic and Cultural projects included in successful applications.
The Projects
Feasibility project to develop Carlingford Lough as a tourism destination of excellence €150k
Cross-border study to audit existing activity tourism and identify new tourism offerings in the Carlingford Lough area providing the basis for a capital investment proposal to establish to area as a premier outdoor recreation destination on the island.
All-Ireland Columban Way Feasibility Study €250k
Feasibility study to scope the development and economic return of a fully connected Columban Way walking route, traversing North and South. Concept route is based on a pilgrim route connected to the life of St. Columbanus.
Corridor Enterprise Hubs €150k
Feasibility of development of sectoral enterprise hubs in the DBEC region; identifying scope for new or repurposed facilities based around sectoral clusters,and identifying sectoral strengths and existing and emerging business clusters throughout the cross-border region including FinTech, Digital Health, Agri-Tech and Advanced Manufacturing
Exploring Sustainable Nature Based Solutions to Coastal Erosion in the East Border Region €147k
Local Authorities will work on a cross-border basis to identify the causes of and investigate nature-based adaptation options to address Coastal Erosion. Project to identify a number of demonstration sites for testing these innovative solutions, forming the basis for a new investment project.
Feasibility Of Restoring A Necklace of “Peace LANDS – Peatlands” along the East Border Region €148k
Developing a plan for how to restore peatlands in the region; delivering quantifiable emission reduction targets and areas of degraded peatlands in improving ecological condition. Result of prioritised sites for peatland/wetland restoration forming an investment proposal to deliver benefits for biodiversity, climate and people.
Feasibility study for Local Authority's to develop zero carbon HGV roadmaps €150k
Project to assist Local Authorities on a cross-border basis to develop zero- carbon HGV roadmaps. Identifying opportunities and conditions for clean energy transition with green hydrogen and other renewable options. Project will map three phases for sustainable energy use in local authority HGV fleets: Planning - identify renewable refuelling routes; Development - trial / testing of HGVs; Deployment - HGV route expansion.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced the successful projects today. Projects are spread across a range of sectors including biodiversity, tourism, decarbonisation, the circular economy, rural and urban regeneration, education, business innovation; and cultural and creative industries.
The scheme, which is funded by the Shared Island Fund and managed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, enables Local Authorities North and South to progress feasibility and development work on new joint investment projects which deliver local and regional development goals.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said, “I am delighted to announce the 25 successful projects which have been awarded funding under the Shared Island Local Authority Funding Scheme. I am not only struck by the diverse range of projects which have come through the process, I am particularly pleased to see such a significant geographic spread across the island.
“Local Authorities in the border region have long-standing partnerships with their Northern counterparts, which I hope will be further enhanced through schemes such as this, and it’s important that there are also newer partnerships such as the projects involving Waterford and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Kerry, Cork, Donegal and Ards and North Down Borough Council that can contribute to the Shared Island vision of communities North and South working together on shared opportunities.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD added, “This is an exciting time for the Local Authorities which have been awarded funding under the Shared Island Local Authority Funding Scheme.
“It’s the first step in a process, which will see them develop concrete plans on strategic North-South investment projects that can make a real difference, not only in their local communities, but regionally and island-wide as well. Through the Government’s Shared Island Fund, and the work of the partner Local Authorities, our goal of investing for a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island is moving ahead.”
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke commented, “I am very pleased to see Local Authorities playing such a key role in the Shared Island initiative. Local Authorities have vital knowledge and experience in delivering for their communities, towns and villages. Through this scheme, they have identified opportunities to meet regional development goals and challenges - like climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable tourism - and will now work on a pipeline of new, ambitious and collaborative projects with their Local Authority partners in Northern Ireland.
“This development funding is a central catalyst in taking existing partnerships to the next level and instigating new ones, encouraging Local Authorities, not just in the border region, but right across this island to work together for a shared future”.
