Unlocking Europe: Opportunities for Carlow

Friday 6th November 2026

Venue: South East Technological University (SETU)

Europe offers County Carlow much more than individual funding programmes. It provides access to investment, knowledge, research, innovation and international partnerships. By bringing together our businesses, communities, public agencies and educational institutions, we can build the partnerships and project pipeline necessary to ensure that County Carlow is well positioned to participate in and benefit from European opportunities.

This seminar serves as a collaborative showcase, bringing together the strategic insights of SETU, Carlow County Council, and County Carlow Development Partnership (LEADER). The  in EU funding to share knowledge and best practice. The event aims to demystify EU funding and project landscapes, providing a roadmap for local stakeholders to maximize European engagement.

Event Agenda – Arrival 8.00am

• Networking & Breakfast
• Opening Address: Welcoming Remarks by the SETU Faculty Leadership, framing the role of higher education in the European project by David Denieffe, Chief Operations Officer, SETU
• The Strategic Roadmap: EU Connections & Project Horizons – An overview of strategic opportunities for the region by Kieran Comerford, Carlow County Council.
• The Academic Corridor: Building the Knowledge Economy – A deep dive into EU project experience and research synergy by Brian Ogilvie, SETU.
• The Social Fabric: Erasmus+ and the Global Athlete – Exploring the impact of the Erasmus+ Sport programme on regional health and connectivity by Deborah Foley, Active Carlow.
• Rural Resilience: LEADER as a Gateway for Development – An analysis of rural innovation and community funding by Annette Fox, Carlow County Development Partnership (CCDP).
• Keynote Address: The Future of the European Union -  A special presentation by Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, MEP, on Ireland’s evolving role within the EU framework.

Event Close 10.00am

Who Should Attend?

The seminar will deliberately bring together a broad cross-section of the county, including:

• businesses and entrepreneurs;
• community and voluntary organisations;
• NGOs and social enterprises;
• local and regional public servants;
• elected members;
• researchers and academics;
• education and training providers;
• rural development organisations; and
• organisations interested in developing European partnerships or participating in EU-funded projects.

Whether you are looking for funding, developing a new project or simply want to understand the opportunities Europe can offer, this event is your starting point.

Come along, make the connections and discover how European opportunities can translate into real opportunities for County Carlow.