The Southern Regional Assembly welcomed over sixty participants to Assembly House, Waterford City, on Tuesday 4 November 2025, for the annual ETC Network Event “EU Funding in Action.”
The event brought together local authorities, higher education institutions, community organisations and enterprise representatives from across the Southern Region and beyond to explore EU funding opportunities and celebrate ongoing European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) projects.
The morning began with an interactive icebreaker, “Demystifying EU Funding Bingo,” followed by a series of presentations highlighting upcoming calls and opportunities under key EU programmes.
Emily Nelson (Access Europe) shared practical advice on how to get started with EU funding and tools available to support applicants. Dr Karl Murphy (European Urban Initiative National Contact Point) and Dr Travis O’Doherty (Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic National Contact Point) then provided insights into City to City Exchange opportunities and the latest Interreg NPA 6th Call for Projects.
The ETC Project Showcase – Southern Region in Action gave the floor to regional partners delivering real impact through cooperation, highlighting how EU projects contribute to sustainable development, innovation and community wellbeing across the region.
Sarah Davoren (Interreg North-West Europe National Contact Point) offered an update on the future of Cohesion Policy and what lies ahead for European funding programmes. The keynote address was delivered by Cllr Dan Boyle of Cork City Council, a Member of the European Committee of the Regions, who reflected on the value of EU cooperation in strengthening local governance and regional growth.
Following the morning plenary, the afternoon was dedicated to First Level Control Clinics, offering one-to-one support sessions with the Assembly’s FLC team. These clinics provided project partners with tailored guidance on eligibility, claims and documentation in a confidential setting.
Áine Whelan, EU Projects Officer and facilitator of the ETC Network, said:
“The aim of the ETC Network is to make EU funding more accessible by creating a space where people can learn from each other and connect with national contact points and programme experts. The strong turnout and engagement at this year’s event show the real appetite across the Southern Region to collaborate and bring European opportunities closer to our stakeholders and communities.”
The Southern Regional Assembly extends sincere thanks to all speakers, attendees and partners for making this year’s event such a success.
