Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre (CITC), www.cavanitc.ie , which was a joint initiative of Cavan County Enterprise Board and Cavan County Enterprise Fund, has been developed as part of a cross-border programme to support local, regional and national agencies in stimulating an environment conductive to innovation, entrepreneurship and inward investment in the Cavan/Fermanagh region. CITC has also been approved as a distance learning/outreach centre for the central border area. The Centre comprises reception / exhibition / display areas, administration offices, innovation office / laboratories, a training facility, conference room and lecture theatre and is equipped with the most up to date information and communications technology (ICT), including audio visual equipment.

CITC brings a whole new dimension to the range of support services available to new and existing businesses in Cavan and the Central Border Area generally. As an Outreach and Distance Learning Facility, CITC has partnered with a number of Ireland’s leading academic institutions to improve access to third level education, particularly for the business community.

CITC also delivers short-term corporate training and development programmes in areas such as computing, languages and science. The majority of Cavan LEO training is now delivered in the CITC. This facilitates enhanced management of training programmes and ensures that a high quality learning environment is available.

CITC has developed a number of new initiatives to support economic development in the County . These include :

PRISM (Powering Research and Innovation for Advanced Manufacturing) is a unique €7.6 million cross border project, supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The project, designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector, was officially launched in South West College, Omagh Campus, on 23 October 2025. 

The project will be delivered by a consortium of six partners, South West College (Lead Partner); Queen’s University Belfast ( Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre); Atlantic Technical University (ATU); Dublin City University(DCU), North West Regional College, and Cavan Innovation and Technology Centre.

The overall objective is to enable participating manufacturing companies to lead the way in decarbonisation.

The project was developed and designed on a cross-border basis with input from participating SMEs and trade associations including the Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland; Irish Concrete Federation; Northern Ireland Polymer Association; Plastics Ireland; Food and Drink Association; and Food and Drink Ireland. 

PRISM will significantly accelerate the adoption of low carbon technologies in a range of SMEs across three manufacturing clusters – Mineral Processing; Polymer Processing and Composites; and Agrifood. The deployment of cutting-edge research and innovation expertise developed throughout the duration of the project will result in significant environmental improvements in industry, enhance competitiveness, and drive overall economic growth, through new low carbon product development and process improvement, which will reduce energy consumption and C02 emissions through a bespoke decarbonisation plan.

Cavan Innovation and Technology Centre will manage ongoing Stakeholder Engagement and co-ordinate Dissemination of project results and outcomes in collaboration with the lead partner, through building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including SMEs, trade associations, and academic partners across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

A key role is supporting the PRISM dissemination strategy to ensure the widest possible visibility of the project outcomes and outputs, through information sharing, and cross-border collaboration. This will be delivered in a number of ways, including organisation of research symposiums to showcase achievements/success stories, workshops, media releases, and social media.

CREST

The Centre for Renewable Energy & Sustainable Technologies (CREST) is an innovative cross-border initiative to deliver a programme of technology development for SME’s in the areas of renewable energy products and sustainable technologies. The project comprises a partnership consisting of South West College (Lead Partner), Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre, IT Sligo and Dumfries and Galloway College (Scotland).  Funding of up to €500,000 has been approved by INTERREG IVA towards the CITC component of the project.

 CREST aims to enhance the capacity and capability of 150 small businesses in the border region to engage in product and process research, development and innovation in the area of renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Businesses are encouraged to develop new products and adapt existing products and processes to ultimately increase their turnover, export sales, efficiency and profitability. CREST also encourages small businesses to adopt a more sustainable approach within their business through the demonstration of market-leading renewable energy and sustainable technologies.

For more information contact Vincent Reynolds vincentreynolds@cavanitc.ie  or call 049-4377277

HATCH

'Higher Attainment through Cross-Border Hubs' is an EU INTERREG IVA funded initiative designed to support and develop entrepreneurship and employment in the Border Region.

The programme was targeted at up-skilling persons who have been affected by the downturn in the construction sector, migrant workers, and promoting female entrepreneurship.

Course places are open to persons in employment or unemployment who can benefit from the suite of education and supporting networking programmes. All courses are 100% funded for eligible participants from county Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh.

The project was developed by Cavan County Enterprise Board.  Cavan Institute & Technology Centre is programme delivery lead and works in collaboration with the Business Institute of University of Ulster, and South West College, Omagh and Enniskillen, in delivering targeted, accredited courses on a part-time, block release basis to

• Construction, Engineering & Related Sectors
• Foreign Nationals
• Female Entrepreneurs

The programme is now in in its fourth year and will end December 2014.

For Further Information see   : www.cavanitc.ie/HATCH