Projects in Offaly and Tipperary benefit from EU Just Transition Fund programme

LOCAL community groups and SMEs in Offaly and Tipperary are to benefit from grant funding of nearly €3.8 million nationally under EU Just Transition Fund programme.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, announced that 15 sustainability-focused projects in the Midlands will receive grants under the EU Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

Three of those projects are in Offaly and three in Tipperary. The projects, put forward by voluntary and not-for-profit organisations, as well as micro and small to medium sized enterprises, have been awarded grant funding of between €50,000 and €300,000 to invest in ideas from the community that create employment and diversify the local economy of the Midlands region. The grants will enable projects to develop initiatives such as innovation and community hubs, green energy projects and heritage initiatives.

In Offaly the projects are 'Ethica Planet – Mycelium' by Ethica Planet Foods Ltd, Tullamore, which receives €250,000, 'Peatlands for Prosperity' from Green Restoration Ireland Co-Operative Society, which receives €299,054, and 'EV Technician Training' by Primo Coachworks Ltd, which receives €172,578.

In Tipperary, Energy Communities Tipperary Co-op, Nenagh, rceives €172,152 for 'Insulation Retrofit Training/staff', SCT Consultancy Ltd, Thurles receives €207,735 for 'Renewables Training Delivery' and Justin Cunningham Ltd, Cashel, receives €299,838 for 'Offshore Piling Noise Reduction System'.

The total amount committed to selected projects from the EU Just Transition Fund is now nearly €54 million, following the recent announcement of projects selected through the EU JTF Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking scheme run by Failte Ireland and the EU JTF Local and Regional Economic Strategy Support Scheme run by Pobal. Further project announcements are expected shortly.

Commenting on the projects approved for funding under the scheme, Minister Ryan stated: “Small-to-medium enterprises and local community organisations are the life blood of a region, creating jobs, helping to diversify the economy and generating ideas and innovation. This funding will empower local organisations to respond to Ireland’s shift to a low-carbon economy, while providing economic and social benefit at a local level for the individuals most impacted by this transition”.

Clare Bannon, Acting Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), said: “EMRA welcomes the announcement of selected projects that have been envisioned and created by the local community in the wider Midlands area. Bringing direct financial support to bottom-up ideas not only drives the innovative capacity of the entire region but also fosters vibrant placemaking that enriches the quality of life for its residents. This is crucial for enabling sustainable and inclusive regional development that leaves no one behind.”

Pobal CEO, Anna Shakespeare commented: “We in Pobal look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly on this EU Just Transition Fund scheme to support small organisations to support the decarbonsiation of the Midlands. By investing in these organisations, communities and enterprises will be supported to build skills, generate jobs, enhance livelihoods and diversify the economy. We look forward also to engaging with these Midland communities as they work to contribute to the transition to a low carbon economy.”

Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, said: “Local projects are key to ensuring that the EU Green Deal has a real impact on the ground. The Just Transition Fund will support Ireland’s Midlands to progress towards a more sustainable economy with local communities in the driving seat.”

The approved projects will deliver significant benefits to the region, including:

• An innovative series of initiatives to develop the bioeconomy sector;

• Training and upskilling in sustainable sectors for communities previously reliant on peat production;

• The preservation, repurposing and refurbishment of local infrastructure and heritage assets for use as enterprise space;

• Innovation in green technology, including renewable energy and sustainable energy practices;

• Circular economy initiatives to support sustainable production and consumption of goods and services.

Projects have been selected through a competitive process under the EU Just Transition Fund’s Community and Enterprise Grants Scheme, which is the second call within the broader Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme. This current announcement of projects builds upon the previous selection of projects announced on April 26th 2024, in which 15 other projects from the midlands received grants totalling €18 million.

The scheme was developed through close collaboration between the Department and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), the Managing Authority for the EU Just Transition Fund, and is being administered through Pobal. It seeks to support the implementation of bottom-up local and regional strategies. Successful projects were required to demonstrate close alignment with locally-led Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs) and Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs).