Fáilte Ireland looking for ideas for tourism projects in Kildare and Midlands

Fáilte Ireland has today launched an open call for Expressions of Interest for its Tourism Learning Network Programme as part of the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme for Ireland’s Midlands 2023-2026 - which includes Kildare. 

This new Tourism Learning Network Programme is designed to build tourism business’ capabilities to help grow and future proof their sustainable development.

The programme is open to existing and new tourism businesses, public sector partners and individuals located within the EU Just Transition territory*.

It provides a unique opportunity for participants to benefit from a fully-funded programme of tailored professional development supports that enhances their tourism skillsets and supports the transition from employment in the peat or electricity production to a career in the tourism industry. 

Paul Hayden, Head of Programme Just Transition at Fáilte Ireland said:

“The EU Just Transition Tourism Learning Network Programme focuses on building professional tourism capability to help transform tourism businesses in the region by enhancing business skills and know-how to advance professional development. Valued at the equivalent of up to €10,000 per business/applicant, this best-in-class programme offers tailored professional development to suit commercial, not for profit, community and charity tourism enterprises in the territory. Fáilte Ireland is committed to and focused on the sustainable development of tourism across Ireland which is an important economic driver and source of employment. This learning programme will help businesses to develop essential skills and practices across planning, digital, sustainability and accessibility while improving the visitor experience across the region. Whether you are starting a new tourism enterprise or expanding a current tourism business, we invite you to express your interest today".

Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, Clare Bannon said:

“It is great to be launching this Tourism Learning Network Programme which will build professional business capacities for tourism in the wider Midland area. This programme is a key part of the overall Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, supported by the EU Just Transition Fund, which is bringing new local job opportunities and will enhance skills for diversification in the visitor economy. This is a part of a body of complementary actions supported by the EU Just Transition Fund programme to harness the resilience of the region into the future.”

The programme invites eligible tourism businesses that are just starting up, expanding a current tourism business, managing or working in a not-for-profit enterprise, charity, community or social tourism enterprise, public agency partners involved in recreation and public realm for tourists, and previous employees of ESB Networks or Bord na Móna, involved in electricity production or peat harvesting, planning a new career in tourism.

Successful applicants will be guided through the programme by experts from Fáilte Ireland’s Enterprise Development team to select a tailored learning pathway suited to their individual needs across the 5 key learning pillars: Understanding Tourism, Business Planning For Growth, Digital Technology, Accessible Tourism For All, and Sustainable Tourism Practices. Upon programme completion, participants will have the opportunity to be awarded certification and connected to further Fáilte Ireland Business Supports.

Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, the EU JTF Programme supports regions that are experiencing the negative impacts from the transition away from fossil fuel-intensive or greenhouse-gas-intensive industries, such as the use of peat for energy generation. Fáilte Ireland developed the EU Just Transition Learning Network Programme to help maximise the benefit of the EU Just Transition scheme for tourism businesses, employees, visitors, and the wider region. It follows the launch of Fáilte Ireland’s first scheme in August 2023, Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs, which is still open for applications across a number of categories.  

Expressions of Interest for the Tourism Learning Network Programme will be accepted from today until Thursday, 22nd February 2024. Applications will be assessed by Fáilte Ireland, who will provide guidance on the programme and offer direct support. Applicants can find more information and complete an Expression of Interest at www.failteireland.ie

Read the full EU Just Transition Tourism Learning Network Programme prospectus here.

* The EU Just Transition Fund geographic territory includes the following 8 counties:  
Longford (IHH)  
Offaly (IHH)  
Roscommon (IHH)  
Laois (IAE)  
Westmeath (IHH)  
Galway (IHH)**  
Kildare (IAE)**  
Tipperary (IAE)**  
  
** To note, counties Galway, Kildare and Tipperary are only partially covered by the scheme so our focus in these areas is on the municipal districts of Ballinasloe in East Galway, Carrick on Suir and Thurles in Tipperary, and Athy and Clane-Maynooth in Kildare.  

EU Just Transition Fund 

The EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) is a brand-new fund created to support the regions and communities in Europe that are most negatively affected by the transition to climate neutrality and to promote socio-economic transition, ensuring that no one is left behind. 

The EU JTF aims to address employment, economic, social and environmental impacts that come with the shift away from carbon-intense activities. The funding programme in Ireland will support the areas in the wider Midlands where communities have been negatively affected by the closure of peat production and peat-fired energy generation facilities.

Ireland is set to receive up to €84.5 million from the EU Just Transition Fund over the period to 2027. With the Government of Ireland’s match funding using Exchequer resources, up to €169 million will be available in the period up to 2027. 

Investment through the EU Just Transition Fund programme will be targeted to support the the diversification of local economies and the creation of new opportunities that complement the assets of the territory. The fund will also restore degraded peatlands and regenerate industrial heritage assets, as well as invest in smart and sustainable local mobility so that local communities are able to benefit from the economic opportunities and amenities. 

For full details on the programme and its strategic priorities can be found at EU Just Transition Fund in Ireland and https://emra.ie/ eu-jtf/ 

Fáilte Ireland  

Fáilte Ireland’s role is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural, and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland. Tourism is of critical importance to the national economy and to regional development and employment. Pre-coronavirus, the sector generated revenue of €7.5billion annually and supported 260,000 jobs nationwide while contributing €1.7billion to the Exchequer.      

We work in partnership with Government, State agencies, Local Authorities, representative groups and industry, to develop tourism across Ireland by creating destination development plans and networks, investing in infrastructure, activities, visitor attractions and festivals.   

Fáilte Ireland also provides consumer and buyer insights, mentoring, business supports and training programmes and buyer platforms to help tourism businesses innovate and grow. In addition, Fáilte Ireland supports Business Tourism, managing the bidding for and securing of larger conferences, meetings and events to be hosted in Ireland. We are also responsible for domestic holiday marketing across four regional experience brands: Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Dublin. Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, was established in 2003 to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy. www.failteireland.ie