Ballyhoura Development shared INSPIRE project insights at the first Regional Stakeholder Group Meeting for the Ballyhoura region, as part of the INSPIRE Interreg Europe project.

On September 11th, Ballyhoura Development met with the Regional Stakeholders Group at Coote Hall in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, to provide an overview of the  INSPIRE Project and its implications for communities, individuals, and enterprises in the Ballyhoura region. 

The INSPIRE project, which stands for Innovative and Smarter Policy Instruments for Europe, aims to adopt the Smart Villages rationale through digitisation to enhance policy instruments dedicated to rural areas. The project provides the opportunities to learn, adopt, and adapt innovative solutions for developing smart and digitised communities.

Representatives from local government, statutory agencies, social partners, and the community and voluntary sectors participated in discussions highlighting the importance of the Smart Villages rationale and digitisation for the sustainable development of rural areas.

The Regional Stakeholder Group welcomed the opportunity to engage in knowledge exchange, exploring and identifying examples of good practice from local, regional, national, and international perspectives. The group examined the needs within local communities, community organisations, and individuals to leverage smart and digital improvements, as well as potential changes to the Policy Instrument, SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) across the lifetime of the programme. 

Amanda Slattery, Development Manager at Ballyhoura Development, stated, "Utilising the Smart Villages rationale, specifically through digitisation, will go a long way toward lessening the urban-rural divide within the framework of community-led development."

Regional Stakeholder Group: Aisling Lewis, Galtee District Communities Representative, Marie Healy, Fáilte Ireland, Dr. Colum Gibson, Munster Technological University, Paddy Murphy, Teagasc, Pádraig Casey, CEO Ballyhoura Development, Eileen O'Keeffe, Development Manager Ballyhoura Development, Jess Angland, Social Enterprise Representative, Maura Quane, Corporate Manager Ballyhoura Development, Nichola Grufferty, Development Officer Ballyhoura Development, Mary Gleeson, Financial Controller Ballyhoura Development, Ciara Moloney, Golden Vale Communities Representative, Mary Laffan, Chairperson Ballyhoura Development Board of Directors & Northeast Communities Representative

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To find out more, visit the INSPIRE Project website below:

INSPIRE Project Website

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For any further information about the INSPIRE Project, please contact Nichola Grufferty at [email protected].