Issue No: 5
March 2014
NORTH WEST Region Cross
Border Group
DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORT GEORGE
SITE IS MOVING AHEAD ON SCHEDULE PROFILE OF
BOARD
MEMBERS
NORTH WEST REGIONAL SCIENCE PARK
Councillor Patrick McGowan was first
elected to Donegal County Council in
1999 and is a full time Councillor and
community activist.
Those visiting and travelling around the city of Derry/Londonderry can see
just how quickly the new landmark North West Regional Science Park
building is being erected on the Fort George site.
The impressive building is progressing on schedule towards an August
completion date and despite recent unfavourable weather conditions a
highly anticipated “topping out” ceremony is to be held in the coming
weeks.
Many have visited the site to date including Government Ministers Deputy
First Minister Martin McGuinness and Minister of the Environment Mark H
Durkan. A local media visit will take place in the coming weeks to update
stakeholders and the public on the status of the project.
Marketing is also continuing with notable progress being made. An anchor
tenant has been secured and interest in the eco-innovation space is strong
amongst businesses wishing to take advantage of the supports and
physical infrastructure provided.
A lecture for the NISP CONNECT Programme „Generation Innovation‟ is
planned for 21st March and is to be held in the Guildhall. Further to this the
NISP business angel programme „Halo‟ is planning another “Mad Money”
workshop for spring 2014.
Ongoing programmes and support for business and innovation will be
advertised and rolled out during 2014 and 2015.
For further information contact
[email protected]
[email protected]
These projects are suported by the
EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme
Maureen Doherty, NWRCBG
or Andy McDonald (NISP)
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A long standing member of the
NW RCBG, Cllr. McGowan‟s
commitment to regional and cross
border development sees him working
as current Head of the Irish Delegation
to the EU Committee of the Regions
(CoR).
CoR represents local and
regional government, ensuring they
are consulted on EU policy formation
and decision-making. As a member
Patrick works with the COTER
Commission on Territorial Cohesion
Policy and the CIVEX Commission on
Citizenship, Governance, Institutional
and External Affairs.
Patrick has also participated in election
monitoring in Albania, Bosnia, Serbia,
Montenegro and Azerbaijan and has
traveled to areas such as the Basque
Country in Spain to meet with
Government, Opposition and Media
representatives.
Locally Cllr. McGowan actively
promotes sports, agriculture,
community, rural and economic
development in the Twin Towns area.
He serves on the Boards of (DLDC)
Donegal Local Development
Company, BRA (Border Regional
Authority), ACCC (Association of
County and City Councils) and ETB
(Education and Training Board).
Patrick is married with three children,
who are currently working in Australia
and New Zealand and enjoys walking
and cycling in his leisure time.
NORTH WEST Region Cross Border Group
REN NET - Networking for Success
REN NET members are busily engaged with best
practice visits and a programme of activities including
tradeshows, open days and networking sessions
designed to develop and support businesses working in
and with the renewable energy sector.
Most recently members formed a delegation to the
World Sustainable Energy Days Conference and
Energiesparmesse Tradeshow in Wels, Austria.
Attracting more than 800 participants from over 61
countries this leading exhibition for innovative
construction, efficient energy use and energy production
attracted in excess of 900 exhibitors and 100,000
visitors.
Further activities will be organised for across the
NWRCBG region and beyond in the coming year.
A project website has been developed with a dedicated
forum for members to exchange knowledge and queries
and to help direct and inform the public within the region.
Members travelled to Baronscourt Estate, a business
leading the way on renewable and sustainable
diversification. A tour of facilities included a study of
solar arrays, both roof and ground mounted and an
overview of a 150kw woodchip boiler using wood from
the estate as fuel.
For further information, visit www.ren-net.org or contact Anne
A successful tradeshow held in the Aura Centre,
Letterkenny showcased members goods and services,
providing information to buyers and the public on home
and business cost reduction.
McNaught, NWRCBG at [email protected] or
Joanne Holmes (Project Officer) at [email protected]
NW Construction Network Project comes Full Circle
Belfast based Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd has
been re-appointed and will now deliver Phase Two of the
highly successful NW Construction Network Project.
Practical support will be given to businesses to help them
identify new opportunities based on needs identified by participants themselves.
Announcing the next phase of the Programme, Alderman Michael Coyle, Chairman of the NWRCBG said:
“We are really excited to see the NW Construction Programme move into its next phase after having successfully
engaged with more than 90 companies in the first phase. The impact of the economic recession has been hard on
small businesses, not least for those whose fortunes rely on the construction sector. We are therefore delighted to
see this project move forward and believe that it will make a real difference to businesses in our region”.
Full Circle will recruit up to 80 small and medium sized businesses in the construction supply chain across the five
Council areas of the NWRCBG partnership.
The new phase of the programme will involve practical skills development workshops, business mentoring and a
Meet the Buyer event with opportunities to meet with some of the largest buyers of construction-related products and
services in the Province.
For further information, please contact Linda White, NWRCBG at [email protected] or Davina McCartney (Project
Officer) at [email protected]
These projects are suported by the
EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme
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NORTH
NORTHWEST
WESTRegion
RegionCross
CrossBorder
BorderGroup
Group
Inch & Foyle Wildfowl Booklet Now Available
Explore the wildlife, history and landscape of Inch Wildfowl
Reserve and the eastern Lough Foyle shore with a new
beautifully photographed guide. At A5 size the booklet can
easily be carried around the trails, allowing visitors to make
the most of these spectacular and unique environments.
Included are interesting facts and helpful hints about what
can be seen from the best viewpoints, including additional
attractions to look out for such as birds of prey and other
woodland and grassland species of bird, flora and fauna.
Facts about the histories of the areas also feature, for
example information on the Broighter Gold find, a hoard of
gold artifacts from the Iron Age which were discovered close to the Foyle Shore by a local farmer and are now held
by the National Museum of Ireland.
Maps are also included showing the walks currently being developed. Project funding will provide almost 10km of
trail at Lough Foyle shore, between Ballykelly Bank and Roe Estuary. Pathway will also be provided around the
entire shoreline of Inch Lake in Donegal.
10,000 copies of the booklet have been printed and are widely available. Copies can also be ordered from the
project officer, contact details below.
For further information please contact Anne McNaught, NWRCBG at [email protected] or Francis Conaghan
(Project Officer) at [email protected]
Urban & Village Renewal project
Urban & Village Renewal project concludes with unveiling of a landmark sculpture
The public art sculpture entitled “Myles after Myles” was unveiled by
Chairman of Strabane District Council, Ruairí McHugh and Mayor of
Donegal, Ian Mc Garvey.
Chairman Mc Hugh was delighted with the work of the project stating
“it has started the process of regenerating the towns of Lifford and
Strabane and will contribute to the further development of vibrant,
economically active and prosperous border towns”.
Mayor McGarvey also expressed his delight with the project and
complimented all those involved stating that “anything that can bring
better partnerships and harmony among our people will surely make
for a better way forward”.
The life-sized sculpture by artist Holger C. Lonz celebrates one of the area‟s best known cultural figures; novelist and
satirist Brian O'Nolan, better known by his nom de plume “Flann O‟Brien”. O‟Brien is characteristically depicted in
coat and hat, leaning against a set of three large books which illustrate the first editions of his most celebrated works.
Unveiled to public applause the final installation of the sculpture concludes a highly successful three year project
which has further strengthened relations between the neighbouring border towns.
For further information, please contact Linda White, NWRCBG at [email protected] or Eamon Boyle (Project
Manager) at [email protected]
These projects are suported by the
EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme
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NORTH WEST Region Cross Border Group
SPACEial NW
Project concludes with Regional Conference to
Launch Website & Mapviewer
the project modules. It will be widely available and will
help schools and others who need readymade maps to
illustrate data findings or develop map reading skills.
The conference was opened and hosted by Carol
Margey, Manager of the NWRCBG. Keynote addresses
were given by Niall Cusson, Senior Planning Advisor
from DoEH&LG and Prionsias McCaughey, Principal
Planning Officer in the Planning Service. All of the
speakers warmly welcomed the tools developed, which
will help regional stakeholders generate comparative
data from both sides of the border to aid in decision
making.
The project team Loretta Mc Nicholas, Catherine
McLaughlin and Rosita Mahoney launched and delivered
presentations on the Project Findings Paper. The paper
examined such topics as population, housing and
settlement change, for example how rural housing policy
has impacted on development and growth in rural areas.
A Project Findings Mapping Atlas was also launched.
This provides hard copies of published maps for each of
Donegal Mayor Ian McGarvey closed the conference
with the formal launch of the Website and Mapviewer
hailing them as important tools for regional development.
For further information, please contact Linda White, NWRCBG
at [email protected] or Loretta McNicholas
(Project Manager) [email protected]
Health & Healthy Living Project Taking Root
NW Health & Healthy Living Project launches website featuring helpful
gardening and health related tips.
Speaking at the launch Strabane District Council Chairman Ruairí McHugh and
NWRCBG Chairman Michael Coyle welcomed the website and the project
which focuses on strengthening regional partnership and integration through
health.
Information on project events can also be accessed through the website. A schools learning workshop held at
Halloween saw 64 primary school children from Strabane, Sion Mills and Castlederg come together to learn about
growing and cooking vegetables and healthy eating in general. Fun activities to aid learning included pumpkin
carving and seed gathering, with a final taste of some home cooked recipes.
A special networking and demonstration event was also held with the help of one of the Island‟s own Celebrity chefs.
Jenny Bristow stated that she was "delighted to be working alongside the North West Healthy Living, Community
Gardens & Allotments project. This innovative concept is a unique way to support healthy living and lifestyle through
proactive aspects of life. "
Many more interactive events are programmed for delivery throughout the region in conjunction with the community
allotments currently being developed in each of the NWRCBG member Council areas.
For further information, visit www.nwcommunitygardens.com or contact Anne McNaught, NWRCBG
[email protected] or Susan Doherty (Project Officer - Strabane DC) at [email protected]
The North West Region Cross Border Group comprises the five Councils of Derry, Donegal, Limavady, Strabane and
Magherafelt and has a total of twenty-two elected members representing
their member Councils.
The Mission of the Group is to strengthen and develop the regional economy through collaboration and to enhance the socio
economic position of the North West.
Contact: [email protected] Tel: 02871 370808
These projects are suported by the
EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme
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