15, sustainability-focused projects in the Midlands will receive grants under the EU Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) programme, co-funded by the government and the EU. The grants will enable projects to develop initiatives such as innovation and community hubs, green energy projects, and heritage initiatives. The funding aims to empower local organisations to respond to Ireland’s shift to a low-carbon economy while providing economic and social benefit at a local level for the individuals most impacted by this transition.
List of selected projects in the Midlands
| Derrymore Sphagnum Farm | Derrymore Peat Ltd | Longford | €300,000 |
| Ecochip Energy | Ecochip Energy Ltd | Castlepollard | €300,000 |
| Ethica Planet – Mycelium | Ethica Planet Foods Ltd | Tullamore | €250,000 |
| Waste Substrate Recycling | Kelly’s Nursery Ltd | Mullingar | €300,000 |
Kelly’s Nursery in Mullingar is a wholesale nursery based in the Midlands of Ireland. They supply to other nurseries, garden centres and landscapers. Kellys Nursery received €300,000 in funding for Waste Substrate Recycling.
| Poet’s Cottage Community Café | Camross Heritage Ltd | Camross | €256,403 |
| EV Technician Training | Primo Coachworks Ltd | Ferbane | €172,578 |
Primo Coachworks Ltd. is based in Ferbane. Primo, repair, refurbish, maintain and convert a wide range of specialist vehicles. They have a dedicated team of experienced, multiskilled vehicle converter employees to ensure projects are finished on time and to the highest possible standards. They received funding of €175,578 for EV Technician Training.
| Peatlands for Prosperity | Green Restoration Ireland Cooperative Society Ltd | Offaly | €299,054 |
| Waste Plastic Disposal Facility | Alister Future Technologies | Longford | €300,000 |
| The Social Enterprise Exchange | Cluster Centre Platform Ltd | Athlone (Roscommon) | €129,999 |
The Cluster Centre is the all-island network for clusters, cluster initiatives, and policymakers. They are building the cluster ecosystem and connecting with the international cluster community. Social Enterprise Exchange is building a collaborative & cluster style approach to connecting with other regional stakeholders. They received €129,999 in funding for the Social Enterprise Exchange.
The approved projects will deliver significant benefits to the region, including:
- An innovative series of initiatives to develop the bioeconomy sector
- Training and upskilling in sustainable sectors for communities previously reliant on peat production
- The preservation, repurposing and refurbishment of local infrastructure and heritage assets for use as enterprise space
- Innovation in green technology, including renewable energy and sustainable energy practices
- Circular economy initiatives to support sustainable production and consumption of goods and services
The total amount committed to selected projects from the EU Just Transition Fund is now nearly €54 million, following the recent announcement of projects selected through the EU JTF Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking scheme run by Fáilte Ireland and the EU JTF Local and Regional Economic Strategy Support Scheme run by Pobal. Further project announcements are expected shortly.
