A regional project called ‘Creative Heartlands’ has been selected as the national winner for the prestigious European Enterprise Promotion Awards and will now go forward as the Irish entry to the European jury.
The award recognises investment in entrepreneurial skills and comes four years after the Creative Heartlands began operating in Leitrim, Sligo, and Roscommon to support and sustain creative enterprises – particularly in the film and design sectors.
Leitrim County Council established the Creative Heartlands in 2020 as a unique collaboration between the Arts and Local Enterprise Offices of the Local Authorities in Leitrim, Sligo, and Roscommon and the Leitrim Design House.
In 2021, the project successfully secured funding from Enterprise Ireland under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and what followed was a suite of supports rolled out to the creative enterprises across the three counties.
Joe Lowe (Head of Enterprise, Leitrim County Council) said, “This region has one of the highest proportion of people working in the creative sector nationwide.
“The vast majority are small businesses, but they provide significant employment in our region. To ensure sustainability, we must put in place the infrastructure and supports to enable the sectors’ growth”.
Also speaking about the award, Rhona McGrath (Arts Officer with Roscommon County Council) said, “Being chosen as the national winner for the European award underscores the achievements made so far through the Creative Heartlands initiative.
“This recognition showcases the project’s significant impact and positions it among the leading efforts in Europe dedicated to sustaining and supporting SMEs. We are honoured by this selection and are eager to continue our work within the creative sector”.
Jeremey Cullen (Roscommon Local Enterprise Office) added: “The prize not only recognises the contributions of our partners and funders, but also celebrates the creative enterprises themselves.
“Since the project’s inception, we’ve experienced remarkable engagement and commitment from the sector, and this award is a testament to their efforts as well”.
Creative Heartlands will now go forward for consideration for the Grand Jury Prize for the European Award. The shortlist is expected to be announced in late September, with the final in November.
