Investment Grant Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs
Applications for the EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for private and community SMEs are now closed.
We are providing ongoing support and assistance to applicants, including those who have been unsuccessful, in terms of identifying alternative sources of funding and pathways to delivering their projects.
In addition to providing enterprise support the Westmeath Tourism Activator provides direct support to tourism enterprises through tourism networks. The aim of these tourism networks is to communicate and share information and expertise with one another and support the delivery of the overall objectives of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
For further information on enterprise supports and tourism networks, please contact the Westmeath Tourism Activator, Helen de Lacy at Helen.deLacy@westmeathcoco.ie or
087 7677535.
Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the EU Just Transition Fund, this scheme offers investment grant-aid to private and community SMEs located within the EU Just Transition Territory* to develop tourism projects.
Find out more: https://www.failteireland.ie/Identify-Available-Funding/Just-Transition-Fund/investment-grant-aid-scheme.aspx
Tourism Business Development
If your business relates to tourism, there are a range of supports available to you. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Westmeath work closely with Fáilte Ireland to support tourism development in the county. Ireland is promoted nationally and internationally using a set of regional experience brands which are used to define the appealing characteristics of each region. Since early 2022, all of county Westmeath is part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, a regional experience brand which promises a slow-paced experience, immersed in the natural environment and culture of the region. Click here for more information on Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and to download the brand guidelines.
LEO Westmeath also supports the development and delivery of many tourism development initiatives, including tourism infrastructure, interpretation schemes and collective marketing, including Athlone.ie and Mullingar.ie. Countywide tourism marketing is conducted through the VisitWestmeath.ie website, app and social media channels, along with printed media, exhibitions, radio and TV. In addition, collaborative marketing initiatives include Royal Canal Greenway national and international media coverage and contributions to Fáilte Ireland’s Keep Discovering campaign and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands promotional activities. To find out how you can get involved and benefit from these activities, contact us by email tourism@westmeathcoco.ie or call Úna on 044 933 8951 or Bernie on 044 9332007.
LEO Westmeath deliver training programmes throughout the year which may benefit your tourism business. These include digital marketing, content creation, including video editing etc along with general business training such as Start your Own Business, HR and Finance etc. In addition to training, specialist mentors are available to support you in key aspects of your business development. To view the training and mentoring calendar and book your session click here.
LEO Westmeath have a panel of experienced Business Mentors and can offer a range of professional business support sessions through our mentoring service eg business planning, human resource and employment legislation issues, financial matters, taxation, marketing, procurement, operations management and intellectual property rights. Contact the Local Enterprise Office to discuss your exact requirements on 044 9338945.
An extensive range of supports for your tourism business are available through Fáilte Ireland, our national tourism development authority. These have been developed in consultation with industry experts to meet your needs, including recruitment, marketing, and finance. Browse the supports available on the Business Support Hub or check out the support programmes schedule here.
Tourism businesses who are predominately aimed at overseas markets may be eligible for grant aid eg employment grants from the LEO. Other relevant schemes from the Local Enterprise Office include Digital for Business and the Grow Digital Voucher to help develop digital capabilities and the Shopfront Enhancement Scheme applicable to business premises. Capital grants may be available for eligible projects through the LEADER Programme, contact Westmeath Community Development for more information.
