The Southern Regional Assembly is delighted to welcome leaders of managing authorities responsible for EU Cohesion Funds from the twenty-seven member states to Kilkenny for the fourth meeting of the Network of the Heads of Managing Authorities taking place on 25–26 September 2025.
Delegates from across Europe, including representatives from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), the Irish Government, and all three Irish Regional Assemblies, have gathered in Kilkenny’s historic Medieval Mile Museum to engage with peers on a range of strategic issues, inspiring ideas, and common solutions in pursuit of more effective Cohesion Policy outcomes.
Guests of honour include the Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr John Coonan, the Cathaoirleach of the Southern Regional Assembly, Cllr Andrew McGuinness, Mr. Hugo Sobral, Deputy Director-General for Programme Implementation at DG REGIO, and Ms. Sofia Alves, Director, Administrative Capacity Building at DG REGIO.
The meeting provides a valuable opportunity for participants to discuss the future of EU cohesion policy, share best practices, and explore the impact of EU funding on communities throughout Ireland and Europe.
A highlight of the programme is a site visit to the Abbey Quarter, a flagship urban regeneration project in Kilkenny that combines ERDF investment with local authority, national and private investment, and to the Carnegie Library on John’s Quay, a new urban regeneration project that has secured substantial ERDF funding in recent weeks under THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival scheme. These visits demonstrate how EU funds are transforming local communities, creating new opportunities, and preserving the region’s unique heritage.
David Kelly, Director of the Southern Regional Assembly, commented:
“EU funding has been a catalyst for positive change in our region, supporting innovation, sustainability, and the regeneration of our towns and cities. Investment in local projects, such as the Carnegie Library, combined with local vision, can deliver real benefits for communities. As we look to the future, it is vital that cohesion policy continues to support balanced regional development and ensures that no community is left behind.”
The Southern Regional Assembly is proud to host this important event and to showcase the positive impact of European collaboration in Kilkenny.
The ERDF Southern Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-27 is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
