Northern & Western Regional Assembly

02/11/2026

📢 Registration is now open for our upcoming conference in Sligo!

PAST ADVANTAGES: Intangible Cultural Heritage and a Renewed Sustainability in Rural Ireland

📅 Tuesday, 17 November 2026
📍 The Model, Sligo
🎟️ Free to attend

Join us for a day exploring how cultural traditions, local knowledge, heritage practices and community-led initiatives can contribute to sustainable rural development and help shape the future of rural Ireland.

The conference will bring together international, national, regional and local perspectives and will be moderated by Ella McSweeney.

Registration closes at 5pm on 10 November.

👉 Register here:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/tDp6ax6Y5J

29/10/2026

🏞️ Achieving balanced regional development depends on aligning national policy with regional and local priorities and delivering results on the ground.

Last month our Assistant Director and Senior Planner, Tanya Whyte MIPI, joined Dr Seán O’Leary MIPI on the Irish Planning Institute Planners’ Podcast to discuss how regional planning shapes sustainable growth and investment.

Against a backdrop of legislative change, evolving population and housing targets, and ambitious climate commitments, Tanya explores how regional planning can turn national ambitions into practical outcomes and reflected on the challenges and opportunities of delivering balanced and sustainable growth across Ireland.

Listen to the full podcast here: https://ipi.ie/planners-podcast/episode-18-tanya-whyte-mipi/

29/10/2026

NWRA EU Programmes Liaison Officer, Dr Travis O Doherty joined The Tommy Marren Show on Midwest Radio this morning for a special Marine Resource Show, discussing the importance of the marine sector and how European cooperation can support regional development.

The discussions included the work of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA), the role of EU funding programmes such as Interreg, and how cross-border cooperation helps regions share knowledge, develop solutions and address common challenges.

Many thanks to Tommy Marren and Midwest Radio and WestBIC for the invitation and the opportunity to contribute to the discussion.

🎧 Listen back to the programme here: https://shows.acast.com/64ff33ba1c482e0011537bfd/episodes/6ae3419e092a0dff19a2f125?

Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme

Marine Institute-Importance of the Marine Environment

29/10/2026

🌍 From Research to Enterprise | RISE@ATU Conference

Regional leaders, researchers and industry representatives came together at the ‘From Research to Enterprise’ conference, hosted by RISE@ATU, to explore how research, collaboration and enterprise partnerships can drive innovation and support economic growth across the Northern and Western Region of Ireland.

The two-day conference featured high-quality research and expert panel discussions that focused on strengthening connections between research and industry and unlocking opportunities for regional development.

🤝 NWRA Economist John Daly, joined a panel discussion exploring how research and enterprise collaboration can enhance the competitiveness of the Northern and Western Region’s economy.

By bringing together expertise from across industry, research and policy, the conference highlighted the importance of partnership in turning research into real-world opportunities for the region.

RISE@ATU is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021–2027.

Atlantic Technological University

27/10/2026

📈 Recently, the members and planning and economic development team of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly participated in a workshop on the upcoming draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Northern and Western Region of Ireland. The workshop focused on key elements including statutory requirements, infrastructure of scale, settlement strategy, and renewable energy.

📊 The session provided valuable insights and enhanced understanding of critical matters that will support informed, evidence-based and strategic decision-making moving forward.

27/10/2026

🏞️ Rural areas face real challenges, lack of housing, depopulation and fewer services.

🌿 As partners on the RuralProof - Interreg Europe Project, the NWRA are learning from partners across Europe to enhance our policies.

More on the project shown below.

23/10/2026

⭐️Primary Schools this one is for you ⭐️

➡️Registrations for the Blue Star Programme are now open.

The Blue Star Programme brings the European Union (EU) to your classroom. It is run by European Movement Ireland and uses creative activities, projects and events to help students learn about the EU.

Follow the link to find out more https://www.bluestarprogramme.ie/

Primary Teachers! A mhúinteoirí bunscoile! 📣

Ready to bring Europe into your classroom in a fun and engaging way? 🇪🇺

Register now for the Blue Star Programme 2026/2027 ⭐
Proudly supported by the European Commission Representation in Ireland, the Blue Star Programme is run by European Movement Ireland and helps primary school students learn about the EU through creative activities, projects and events.

It’s a great way to explore European citizenship, culture, history and teamwork 🤝

Find out more and register online now: https://www.bluestarprogramme.ie/register/here

21/10/2026

📊 Regional Economic Profile

The Regional Economic Profile of the Northern and Western Region of Ireland has just been published.

✅ The strengths are clear:
▪️A growing regional economy and strong labour market
▪️Established industrial specialisms
▪️A highly educated workforce
▪️A strong capacity for innovation

⚠️ However, important challenges remain:
▪️Economic growth that is not reaching all households
▪️Rising economic disparities and an increasingly two-tier regional economy
▪️The need to strengthen public and private sector investment in research and development (R&D)
▪️Infrastructure challenges that are undermining regional competitiveness

The Regional Economic Profile will support the development of the new Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy.

📖 Read the full report and the summary infographics for further insights into the region’s economic performance, strengths and challenges. https://www.nwra.ie/policy-and-research-publications/

Donegal County Council Monaghan County Council Cavan County Council Leitrim County Council Sligo County Council Mayo County Council Galway County Council Galway City Council Roscommon County Council

13/10/2026

📣 Week 5 is now LIVE!

Open to second-level students across Ireland — test your knowledge, take part and be in with a chance to become one of this year’s winners.
Best of luck to everyone taking part this week!

WWW.GRADUATE.IE
------------------

The Graduate.ie programme is sponsored by:
European Parliament
Tipperary County Council
Southern Regional Assembly
Leitrim County Council
Mayo County Council
Louth County Council
Fingal County Council
Health and Safety Authority
Roscommon County Council
Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
Northern & Western Regional Assembly
Communicating Europe
Cavan County Council
Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly
Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
Fáilte Ireland
Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman - FSPO
CCPC

09/10/2026

Minister James Browne TD launches €34 million Social Housing Scheme

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, today launched the new €34 million ERDF Social Housing Scheme for the Northern and Western Region.

Co-funded by the 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 Government of Ireland and the European Union, the scheme will help bring vacant and derelict Local Authority-owned buildings back into use as modern, energy-efficient social homes.

An initial €17 million has already been awarded to five Local Authorities, supporting projects that will deliver 60 social homes.

The investment supports housing delivery, town and village regeneration, improved accessibility and climate action across the Northern and Western Region.

https://www.nwra.ie/e34-million-erdf-social-housing-scheme-launched-for-the-northern-and-western-region/