EU opportunities explored by Carlow collective as part of EU funding programme
13 Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in European Studies EU Engagement Programme with the European Institute of Public Relations in association with the Leuven Institute and Carlow County Council were acknowledged recently with awards being receipted by Cllr. Tom O’Neill, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council on behalf of the group.
The programme which aimed to support Community Groups, Business Development Groups, Education and Research Bodies to gain a better insight into European affairs and understand the various funding mechanisms available was completed by 13 Carlow participants during 2019. Participants attended a variety of lectures delivered by expert speakers from across Europe in Ireland and the Leuven Institute, Belgium. Participants also took part in an educational tour of the EU institutions and as part of the course completed a paper on a potential future funding opportunity and how they would approach it.
Accepting the Diplomas, Cllr. Tom O’Neill, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said “I’d like to congratulate each of the 13 individuals who completed the Postgraduate Diploma and compliment each of them, firstly in their personal quest for capacity development while secondly also being part of a programme that has the potential to benefit so many people in the County Carlow community”. The Cathaoirleach continued to say “now more than ever we need to part of the EU programme and see how Carlow can put its best foot forward in terms of new opportunities”
Presenting the Awards, Eugene Grey, President of the European Institute of Public Relations said, “I’m delighted to be once again working with Carlow and congratulate each and every participant who took part in the programme”. The president continued to say “while participation in the programme is a very personal one, we have discovered that a significant outcome of this blended learning process is the development of a peer network at County level with a pool of people who understand European Funding”
Programme graduate and County Carlow Chamber President, Colin Duggan, said “The programme provided me personally with great insight into EU funding and the opportunities it presents for individuals and groups who are willing to invest the time and who have a policy led project idea”. The President continued to say “from a Business perspective investment in a county in Innovation is essential and we recognize that the EU presents an opportunity for County Carlow but that without a network of people and groups who have the know how it can’t be realised. These programmes help build a cluster of people with the required skillset to seize the opportunities that EU funding presents”
EU Project Officer with Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office, Jim Woods said “We in Carlow County Council were delighted to work with Eugene and his team in the European Institute of Public Relations on this programme and to work and engage with the participants as part of the programme”. Woods continued to say “we in Carlow County Council understand that the nature of public funding has changed and that Europe represents a significant opportunity for groups to further leverage funding and resources for key projects that align with European Policy which will benefit County Carlow”. Speaking about the benefits of EU funding currently, Woods continued to explain “at present in our Local Enterprise Office we have three direct EU projects (Enterprise Europe Network, Craft Hub and Catalyst) which complement our EU funded programmes from National Government. All of these projects have a direct benefit to the businesses and people on the ground in Carlow and we look forward to exploring further EU funded opportunities in the future”.
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For further information contact Kieran Comerford on kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie or call 086-8252037
