- First 17 projects announced have received almost €2.9million in funding under Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.
- Evaluations of remaining applications are ongoing with further funding awards to be announced on a rolling basis over the coming weeks and months.
Today Fáilte Ireland has announced the first 17 projects, worth almost €2.9million, that have been awarded funding under its Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.
Part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, this marks the first announcement of successful projects under the Private and Community SME scheme, which closed on 13th January 2025 after receiving 170 applications. The 17 projects [listed below] represent the first to have signed Investment Grant Agreements with Fáilte Ireland, with more projects expected to be announced on a rolling basis in the coming weeks and months, as evaluations of applications are completed.
Projects span four regenerative tourism development categories, including the Development or Enhancement of Sustainable Visitor Experiences; Development of Sustainable/Low Carbon Tourist Accommodation; Capital Project Planning and Design; and Accessibility enhancements to provide a more inclusive visitor experience.
The purpose of the scheme is to deliver grant-aid to private and community-based micro enterprises and SMEs to help them improve the quality of the visitor experience with the ambition of attracting more visitors, increasing their dwell time and overnight stays in the region. This will create new jobs in the sector and help grow the visitor economy. This scheme is co funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU through the EU Just Transition Fund.
| Roscommon
The Lodge, Termonbarry, Co. Roscommon |
Conversion of a 19th Century Schoolhouse into modern guest accommodation. | €275,000 |
CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly said:
“When Fáilte Ireland launched this scheme in August 2023, our aim was to create new opportunities for local communities and businesses across the midlands – and today’s announcement is a huge milestone in this journey.
These 17 projects will provide innovative and sustainable visitor experiences and develop low-carbon tourist accommodation, and I look forward to further announcements of successful projects in the coming weeks and months, as we continue to evaluate the significant number of applications we received.
Initiatives like the EU Just Transition Fund are essential for generating new opportunities for employment and sustaining local communities by creating more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East.
We also look forward to further collaboration with local tourism businesses and communities, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) and our strategic partners to deliver a wide range of projects under the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme over the next year and a half.”
Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) Clare Bannon said:
“As the Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) welcomes the announcement of these private and community SME projects. The EU Just Transition Fund is a transformative concept for communities in the Midlands, and these 17 projects highlight the significant opportunities arising from investment in tourism. By investing in tourism, we not only create more recreational activities but also contribute to the preservation of environmental quality, fostering sustainable growth and prosperity for our community.”
There has been significant interest in the Private and Community SME scheme, with a high volume of applications received. Fully completed applications are being evaluated in the order of receipt. Fáilte Ireland will communicate with applicants once their application has been evaluated.
Up to 70 tourism enterprises, spread across all eight counties in the EU Just Transition Territory, are also participating in the Digital Transformation programme element of the scheme, valued at up to €4.8million. This funding enables these enterprises to participate in a two-year programme which will transform their online presence and digital capabilities.
