The new Monitoring Committee of the Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27 held their first meeting in Waterford on 24 January 2023.
The Committee will have a crucial role to monitor the ongoing implementation of the Regional Programme against its objectives and goals. It will meet at once yearly in person to review progress toward achieving results under each priority and the horizontal principles of equality and sustainable development. Committee members are representatives of our Programme Partners from public, private and third sector organisations.
The Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme supports balanced regional development by co-funding investment under the EU policy objectives of a more competitive and smarter Europe, a greener, transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe, and a Europe closer to citizens by fostering sustainable and integrated development at regional level.
It will invest €663m (€265 million ERDF/ €398m Government of Ireland) to strengthen EU economic, social and territorial cohesion by correcting imbalances between regions under three priorities:
- Smarter More Competitive Regions: Building RD&I capacity in regional public research institutions, accelerating commercialisation of cutting-edge research at regional level, supporting innovation diffusion and strengthening regional innovation ecosystems in line with Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy and Regional Enterprise Plans.
- Greener More Energy Efficient Regions & a Just Transition: Scaling up investment to improve energy efficiency of residential homes, targeting homeowners in/ at risk of energy poverty.
- Sustainable Urban Development in our Regions: Integrated strategic approach to regenerating towns using a Town Centres First Framework.
Commenting on the first meeting, Enda Hogan, Assistant Director, Southern Regional Assembly, said “our Monitoring Committee has a critical role in reviewing progress in implementing the Programme to ensure that our work is carried out in a transparent and accountable way. Our first meeting was positive and the members were very engaged in the successful delivery of the Programme. We look forward to working with them in delivering its objectives”.
For information: Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27