Five successful Donegal projects have been awarded funding under the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding Scheme.
Donegal County Council is involved with five projects to a total amount of €976k.
The successful Donegal projects will support partnerships right along the Donegal border with Northern Ireland. Among the projects being funding is a feasibility study for the Slí Cholmcille pilgrimage route between Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Donegal T.D., Charlie McConalogue today welcomed the announcement by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin of the successful projects.
Commenting, the Minister said “The Shared Island project is really important in fostering partnerships throughout our island. These five projects in Donegal are a terrific example of what can be achieved when we work together positively for all the people in our cross border counties. I thank all the employees and volunteers involved with these projects.”
The Funding Scheme Awardees in Donegal:
- €176,000 for feasibility for development of twin cross-border Innovation Plazas in Ballyshannon, Donegal and Irvinestown, Fermanagh to foster enterprise opportunities in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing & engineering and agri-food, with cross-border networks and knowledge- sharing to support in growth in these sectors.
- €250,000 for feasibility for cross-border Exemplar Decarbonised Public Buildings & Transportation project to inspire the carbon-neutral journey in Donegal and Derry.
- €150,000 for the North West Regulatory Technology Cluster to carry out development work for a cross-border, all-island national institute bringing together companies, academics, and public bodies to drive world-class research and innovation within Regulatory Technology.
- €250,000 for the Slí Cholmcille pilgrimage route: A feasibility assessment for a pilgrimage route linking key Colmcille related sites across the cross-border landscape. Support cross-border tourism, recreation and connecting communities through the shared heritage of Colmcille – a unifying figure and symbol of cooperation on the island.
- €150,000 for Feasibility to develop an ambitious regenerative tourism project along the Donegal-Fermanagh rural border region involving engagement with the region’s place, past and people, seeking to attract high-yield environmentally-conscious visitors establishing a cluster of outdoor activity businesses, with economic gains for accommodation providers, food outlets and venues in towns and villages.
The Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding Scheme, which is funded by the Shared Island Fund and managed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, enables Local Authorities North and South to progress feasibility and development work on new joint investment projects which deliver local and regional development goals.
