Local Enterprise Office Donegal recently brought the story of Donegal Tweed's bid for EU Protected Geographical Indication status to an international workshop on labels of origin in Vännäsby, Sweden.

The event was organised as part of the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic co-funded GIFT project, (Geographical Indication Boosting Food, Non-food and Tourism Sectors in Northern Areas), and brought together small producers and regional development bodies from across the Vindelälven–Juhttátahkka Biosphere region, alongside international guests from Finland, Iceland and Ireland, to explore how geographical indication labels can protect traditional craft skills and open up new market opportunities.

At the event, Local Enterprise Office Donegal outlined why Donegal Tweed producers have begun the formal process of applying for PGI status, setting out the core problem: global retailers have long used the Donegal name on textiles woven or assembled entirely outside Ireland, undercutting authentic, locally woven tweed and creating confusion for international consumers over genuine provenance. PGI status would give the craft legal protection across the EU, ensuring only tweed designed, warped, woven, inspected and dispatched within County Donegal can carry the name.

Pictured (l-r) taking part in the GIFT workshop in Vännäsby, Sweden: Patricia Clarke, Local Enterprise Office, Donegal, Hanna-Maija Väisänen, University of Helsinki, Ruralia Institute, Marjo Särkkä, University of Helsinki, Ruralia Institute, Hafliði Halldórsson, CEO, Icelandic Lamb Association, Anne Matilainen, University of Helsinki, Ruralia Institute, Grace Korbel, Local Enterprise Office, Donegal and Daniela Nedelcheva, Biosfärområde Vindelälven-Juhttátahkka, Sweden.  

Speaking after the event, Grace Korbel, Acting Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Donegal, said: "What struck me about this workshop was how recognisable our story was to producers from completely different countries and completely different crafts. The challenge of protecting something genuinely local in a global market is one that small producers everywhere are grappling with. Being part of the GIFT project has connected us with others on that same journey, and that has real practical value as we move through the application process."

The workshop also heard from producers working on GI applications in Finland and Iceland, including representatives of Icelandic Lamb, who outlined how protected status has helped strengthen their position in international markets.

Donegal Tweed has been identified as a pilot group under the GIFT project, with Local Enterprise Office Donegal continuing to support the Donegal Tweed Association through the application process. The application is currently moving through final validation phases with the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

Local Enterprise Office Donegal will continue to work with project partners to boost local food, non-food, and tourism SMEs in remote and arctic areas by maximising the use of the EU's Geographical Indication (GI).

Learn more about the project: https://www.interreg-npa.eu/projects/gift/home/