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East Border Region Ltd (EBR) co-hosted a joint conference entitled ‘Cross Border Connections’ with the North West Region Cross Border Group (NWRCBG) and the Irish Centre Border Area Network (ICBAN) on 2^nd October in Buncrana.

The aim of the conference hosted by the three Local Authority led cross border networks working in the Irish Border and Northern Ireland Border Region was to look at ways to bring Local Authorities to the forefront of cross border collaboration and partnership. The three groups have all been involved in managing substantial amounts of INTERREG funding since 2003 and as a result the successful management of these funds has been the majority of their focus. The conference therefore sought to take a collective look at common concerns facing border regions and to look at a proactive way forward for the three groups collectively.

The timing of the conference was apt giving the reform process which both jurisdictions are currently undergoing. The conference was attended by all of the Local Authorities, North and South from the entire Border Region representing a total population of over 1.6 million people.

During the conference delegates listened to Dr Anthony Soares, Centre for Cross Border Studies, Professor Greg Lloyd, Urban Planning and Built Environment University of  Ulster, and Mr Padraic White former Managing Director of the Industrial Development Authority (IDA).

Delegates were also delighted to listen to keynote speakers Republic of Ireland Minister of State for the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Communication, Energy and Natural Resources Mr Joe McHugh and Northern Ireland Minister for the Environment Mark H Durkin. Both Ministers demonstrated an understanding of the issues affecting border areas and the importance of ongoing collaboration between Local Authorities.

Chairman of East Border Region Cllr Alan McDowell welcomed the event, “I am delighted to see so many Elected Members here today. We all have a common goal which is to improve the sustainability and prosperity of our respective regions and we cannot underestimate the collective strength we have as three bodies coming together”.

The conference concluded with a conference networking dinner. A follow up report will be prepared by Officials and further meetings of the three groups scheduled for the coming months.

Photo caption: Cllr Alan McDowell, Chairman of EBR, Cllr Pat Treanor, Chairman of ICBAN, Cllr Paul Canning, Chairman of NWRCBG, N.I. Minister of the Environment Mark H Durkin, R.O.I. Minister of State Joe McHugh and colleagues pictured at the recent Cross Border Groups Connections Conference

The iOTA Programme will provide innovation experts to deliver a series of Master Classes and Workshops to assist you to expand and grow your business. Please contact the relevant delivery agent or aveen@eastborderregion.com

iOTA Master Class Schedule Flyer

iOTA Work Shop Schedule Flyer

East Border Region Ltd (EBR) hosted their quarterly Members Forum meeting on Thursday 25^th September in the Crowne Plaza hotel, Dundalk.

A total of €15.2 million of INTERREG IVA funding has been secured by EBR across a total of eleven projects ranging from Tourism, Enterprise development and Environment based projects. In addition a total of 38 new jobs have also been generated directly through the projects.As we are nearing the end of the INTERREG IVA programming period Members listened first hand to some of the success stories of EBR projects to date.

The ASPIRE project which has a dual purpose of tackling increasing levels of graduate unemployment and underemployment & also addressing the increasing pressure on small businesses to survive and remain competitive is an extremely successful project which has secured employment for 60 graduates working with 60 SMEs within the region for a one year period.

Sharon Daly, Project Co-ordinator informed members of the immense demand for the ASPIRE project which seen the project vastly oversubscribed.  Members also heard first hand from a graduate and business representative on their experiences to date participating on the programme.

“Due to having a graduate in place, our company has been able to carry out in-depth research into a new market.  This result is that the company was able to launch a new business unit by early February.  In addition, our Graduate has helped the company successfully deliver on a contract, which has generated new revenue for the company”, stated Oonagh Garry, of Peak Performance Recruitment Ltd, Co. Louth.

During the Forum meeting members were also briefed on the success of the EBR Smart Eco Hub project which is a cross border cluster project for the sustainable energy sector. The main aim of Smart Eco Hub is to drive economic growth and job creation through collaboration and innovation in the sustainable energy sector to develop and exploit new technologies for local and international markets.

During the forum members learned of an exciting new collaboration between three companies participating in the project. The collaboration has resulted in the creation of an innovative new product called HeatGEM. HeatGEM is a complete Boiler Energy Management device for central heating boilers. One company has fulfilled the role of developing and marketing the product, one fulfilling the manufacturing of the project and one taking on the role of distribution, installation and servicing.

Chairman of East Border Region Councillor Alan McDowell thanked contributors and stated how encouraging it was to see such successes developing from EBR projects, “In a time of recession and hardship I am delighted to hear such positive news stories which are clearly demonstrating how our eleven EBR projects are pro-actively assisting our SMEs in not only improving their development and profitability but in also increasing their workforces and capacity”.

Members also received an update on the workings of the North South Ministerial Council during the meeting and an update from EBR Chief Executive Pamela Arthurs on EBR’s plans post INTERREG IVA.

Pictured above: EBR INTERREG IVA Project representatives along with Cllr Alan McDowell, Chairman of EBR, Ms Pamela Arthurs, CEO and Ms Alison Keogh and Sean McAteer of North South Ministerial Council.

East Border Region are delighted to announce that our successful INTERREG IVA funded STEM project was awarded the “Leadership in Sustainable Development” award at the Sustainable Ireland Awards ceremony held in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast on Wednesday 3^rd September.

The project received the award in recognition of its works with over 150 businesses to help them cut their energy, waste and water bills to make them more competitive and reduce their environmental impact.

Pictured receiving the award: (from left to right) Mr Adrian Logan MC, Mrs Dette Hughes EBR Programme Manager, Ms Martina McNulty Chief Executive Southern Group Environmental Health Committee, Anne Mason STEM Project Manager and Mr Darren Cullen Edge Innovation.

PLATO EBR Border Bizcamp 2014 is Back on Saturday 13th September from 9:15am-4:30pm in Monaghan. Register for FREE now by visiting Here 

East Border Region Ltd were delighted to host a study visit for 18 representatives from the Albanian government from 30^th June to 4^th July. Delegates comprised Minster of State for Local Issues, Mr Bledar Cuci, Members of the Albanian Parliament and Senior Government Officials.

The purpose of the study visit was in relation to the key priority of the new Government of Albania in achieving Administrative and Territorial Reform in the area of decentralisation of local government. The delegation chose Ireland as their focal point as Ireland is more advanced compared to Albania with designing and implementation of Territorial and Administrative reform.

Ireland also has similarities to Albania in relation to population and country size and as a result of the study visit delegates gained a better insight and knowledge of the Irish experience in dealing with territorial and administrative reform issues at central and local level; established structures; process design, dealing with resistance and ways of mitigation.

During the four day visit delegates met with R.O.I. Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Mr Phil Hogan, T.D., the Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council and with Senior Officials from Limerick and Tipperary County Councils who provided them with an overview of reform from both an urban and rural County perspective.

Delegates also met with R.O.I. Minister of State Mr Pascal O’Donohue and members of the EU Committee in Leinster House.  On the final day of the visit delegates learned of the reform process from the perspective of border Counties with presentations from Louth County Council and neighbouring Newry and Mourne District Council. This also provided them with an insight into the review of public administration in Northern Ireland.

Pictured above: Minister Cuci, Minister of State for Local Issues, delegation members, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Cllr Oliver Tully, Mr Michael Curran, Director Louth County Council and Ms Pamela Arthurs Chief Executive EBR Pictured at Louth County Council.

EXPO 2014
– Open to everyone
– Workshops and Talks on Tourism, Geology and Archaeology
– Showcase of businesses from the region
– Bus tours on Friday, 20 June

To book on to any of the events or bus tours, contact MAC PR at 02841739017 or info@macpr.co.uk or book online at www.macpr.co.uk/news

Click below to view event flyer.

MCG Expo2014 A5 Flyer (10747) v5

The Centre for Cross Border Studies hosted a study visit from Tajikistan from 28 April to 7 May. The ten strong delegation are all involved in supporting economic development and cross-border trade and included the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade; senior public officials and experts in cross-border trade and economic development.

The delegation requested an opportunity to learn about the work of the EBR and as a result EBR delivered a presentation and Q & A session on Thursday 1^st May at Intertrade Ireland offices.

Pictured is EBR Chief Executive Ms Pamela Arthurs receiving a token of appreciation from a member of the delegation.

Do you have an innovative business idea or product you’d like to develop but don’t know where to start? iOTA can help.

Whether you have an established business, or you are in the ‘thinking about’ stage, we can offer local support to help you develop ideas, improve products/services, explore new markets and ultimately help you to profit from innovation.

The iOTA Programme is funded through the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme and managed by the SEUPB.

Dr Conor Patterson, Chief Executive of Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency stated “iOTA is open to SMEs and individuals; the support we offer is very much focussed on helping you or your company to be innovative to enable growth and expansion.

We can help you develop innovative solutions, explore new markets, give you access to training and mentor expertise to support you in the journey to turn great ideas into viable business concepts.

Whatever your idea, company status or previous background, we can provide a bespoke programme of support to address your needs.

What’s more, all training and advice is delivered locally through a network of Enterprise Agencies, County Enterprise Boards, SRC, SERC and DKIT spanning counties Armagh, Down, Louth and Monaghan so you can tap into all these resources with ease.”

For further information or to participate on the iOTA Programme, please contact: Jane Magill, Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency on Tel: 0044 (0) 2830267011 or Email:  info@iotaprogramme.com