Northern & Western Regional Assembly

14/11/2025

This week, Elected Members of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) participated in a study visit to Asturias, Spain, to share knowledge on governance, EU funding, and economic development.

The Regional Minister for Finance, Justice and European Affairs, Guillermo Peláez Álvarez, welcomed the NWRA delegation in region’s capital Oviedo.

Asturias, like the Northern and Western Region, is classified as a 'Transition Region’ by the European Commission. Historically, both regions have economically lagged behind their respective national economic centres, but have significant opportunities to develop economically in sectors such as digital technology, innovation, Agri/food, renewable energy and tourism.

The Government of the Principado de Asturias and the NWRA both have responsibility for managing and administering European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) for their respective regions, with similar priorities for investment under the EU Legislation for Cohesion Policy and funding.

NWRA Cathaoirleach Michéal Frain expressed gratitude to Minister Peláez and the government staff at the Principado de Asturias for hosting the delegation from Ireland, noting that the meetings had many shared learnings and it highlighted strategies to leverage EU and National funding for infrastructure, transport, green energy, and industrial transition.

Conall McGettigan, A/Director of NWRA, emphasised ongoing collaboration:
“Both regions currently work together on an Interreg Europe project and will continue sharing knowledge and best practices to improve policy, regional strategies and maximise funding opportunities to achieve Balanced Regional Development.”

Read more about the event on the NWRA website https://www.nwra.ie/nwra-elected-members-visit-asturias-to-strengthen-regional-collaboration/
and on the Government of the Principado de Asturias website: https://actualidad.asturias.es/-/una-delegaci%C3%B3n-de-autoridades-irlandesas-visita-asturias-para-conocer-su-modelo-de-gesti%C3%B3n-territorial-de-los-fondos-europeos-reconocido-a-nivel-comunitario?redirect=%2Finicio

14/11/2025

This year's Interreg Atlantic Area programme Annual Event took place in the Marine Institute in Galway on the 12th November. At the event, António Cunha, President of CCDR NORTE, I.P and Managing Authority of the programme announced that the programme has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing its objectives by reaching 160% of its financial target and completing the n+3 rule ahead of schedule in October 2025.! 🚀

Two European Atlantic Project Awards were awarded to the SmartDec project, which won in the Atlantic Ports category, and Marinnonet cooperation project, which won the Healthy Oceans and Resilient Coasts category.
Read more about the event on our website: https://www.nwra.ie/atlantic-area-programme-milestone-celebrated-in-galway/

14/11/2025

From 12-13 Nov NWRA staff Catriona Meehan and Charlotte May attended the ‘Communities 4 Transition’ Conference organised by the European Commission (DG REGIO) in Zagreb, Croatia. The C4T community supports Managing Authorities and Beneficiaries to implement Cohesion Funds to achieve a Greener Europe.

13/11/2025

⏳ One more week left to apply for the position of Senior Staff Officer.
Deadline is Thursday 20th November 2025.

For more information visit: https://www.nwra.ie/job-vacancy-senior-staff-officer-grade-vi/

We are hiring a Senior Staff Officer (Grade VI).

🗎 Download the information booklet and application form from our website: www.nwra.ie/job-vacancy-senior-staff-officer-grade-vi/

The pay scale for Senior Staff Officer starts at the minimum point i.e €57,322 and rises by way of increments to the maximum point €70,030 including Long Service Increments (LSI's).

📅 Closing date for applications is 4pm on Thursday 20th November 2025.

13/11/2025

PROJECT PARTNERS SEARCH
Did you know that there is an online group where you can connect with people and organisations planning to apply with the Interreg NPA?

JOIN US HERE 👉 https://tinyurl.com/46nexje6

13/11/2025

🙌 Data2Sustain and invite you to a FREE introductory workshop, hosted by the Wisar Lab & Technology Gateway: "Introduction to Chatbots for the Public Sector."

🗓️ Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 – 13:00 (Session 1: Online or In-Person)
🕐 Time: 13:00 – 15:50 (Session 2: In-Person only)
📍 Location: Hybrid (Online and CoLab, Letterkenny)
🔗 Registration: Please email maixa.zabaleta@ernact.eu

🤔 Why attend?
Learn how to design and implement a simple chatbot.
Explore Microsoft Copilot Studio capabilities.
No coding skills required!

⚠️ Cost: Fully funded by ! Participation requires only official organisational sign-off ‼️

Atlantic Technological University Údarás na Gaeltachta Local Enterprise Offices Local Enterprise Office Mayo Northern & Western Regional Assembly Western Development Commission Enterprise Ireland

12/11/2025

Táimid ag Earcú Oifigeach Sinsearach Foirne (Grád VI)

Spriocdháta d’iarratais 4 i.n., Déardaoin 20 Samhain 2025

Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil, tabhair cuairt ar https://www.nwra.ie/job-vacancy-senior-staff-officer-grade-vi/

11/11/2025

Last week, the NWRA hosted the RuralProof - Interreg Europe project stakeholder meeting in Cavan, bringing together Local Authorities, Public Participation Networks, and community leaders from the NWRA Region to explore the issue of vacancy and dereliction in rural communities.

Speaking about the event: Tanya Whyte, Acting Assistant Director & Senior Planner (NWRA), said:

“The Interreg Europe RuralProof project serves as a platform for collaboration at a regional level, but also as a crucial opportunity to learn from our partners in rural regions across Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Italy, Greece, Serbia, and Albania. The knowledge gained through this project will directly support the policy objectives outlined in our Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) and County Development Plans, which all recognise the challenges posed by vacancy and dereliction.”

Read more about the stakeholder meeting and project on our website: https://www.nwra.ie/ruralproof-project-stakeholders-gather-in-cavan-with-the-aim-of-tackling-vacancy-and-dereliction/

11/11/2025

11/11/2025

Meet ATU’s Health-Tech Leaders 🩺

Launched for , this new booklet – Meet ATU’s Health-Tech Leaders – highlights how ATU researchers are shaping the future of healthcare through technology and innovation.

“Science Week is the perfect moment to showcase innovation that touches everyone...this edition illustrates how ATU research is delivering real-world impact for patients, practitioners, and communities across the west and north-west of Ireland", says Dr Shane Conway and Dr James Britton

Download the full booklet: https://loom.ly/1Es70_g
Learn more about the ATU Research Showcase Series: atu.ie/news

💡Are you an ATU researcher interested in being featured in a future showcase? Please submit here:
https://loom.ly/uW4fbI4

RISE@ATU is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.

10/11/2025

Week 8 of the Graduate.ie student competition is now LIVE!

Head over to Graduate.ie to take this week’s quiz and be in with a chance of winning one of our amazing trips to the European Parliament in Strasbourg along with other winning students.
Winners announced weekly!

Best of luck everyone.
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The Graduate.ie programme is sponsored by:
European Parliament
Tipp Coco
Southern Regional Assembly
Leitrim County Council
Mayo County Council
Louth County Council
Fingal County Council
Health and Safety Authority
Roscommon County Council
Ombudsman for Children's Office
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Clare County Council
Northern & Western Regional Assembly
Communicating Europe
Cavan County Council
Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly
Dept Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
Fáilte Ireland
Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman - FSPO

07/11/2025

This week in Letterkenny, Donegal County Council hosted the closing conference for the INNOCAP project, funded through the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme.

The conference showcased some of the learnings from the project and collaborations with partners in Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada). The conference also presented some of the Innovative Digital Technologies Irish Local Authorities have developed to improve services to citizens, as well STEM education programmes for students.

The INNOCAP project 'Building public sector innovation capacity', focused on enhancing quality and sustainable public services by enabling public sector organisations to lead the adoption of disruptive innovations and digital technologies.