European Programmes
The BMW Regional Assembly European Programmes unit is extensively involved in a range of European programmes and activities, these include:
BMW Regional Programmes of Innovative Actions
The BMW Regional Assembly developed a suite of innovative actions appropriate to the development needs of the BMW Region and was successful in the competitive process for funding under the EU Regional Programme of Innovative Actions (RPIA) for the 2002-2004 and 2006-2008 period funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The aim of the innovative actions programme is to create a laboratory for experimentation on regional development across Europe, focusing on actions, which are genuinely innovative.
Being recognised throughout the EU as a competent authority to manage and deliver RPIAs represented an extension to the Assembly’s core management and monitoring responsibilities. This presented the Assembly with a unique opportunity to establish itself as a proactive authority striving for the increased economic development of the Region through new and innovative approaches to the delivery of collaborative initiatives. A regional steering committee comprised of key state agencies, third-level institutions and industry sector representatives, oversaw the implementation of the programmes.
RPIA #1: ‘The BMW Region and the New Economy 2002-2004’
The first programme, which involved a total investment of €2.5m, provided supports for key elements of policy work critical to increasing the innovative capacity and competitiveness of the Region. The following actions were completed under this programme:
1. Audit of Innovation Study: this study provided for the first time a baseline picture of levels of innovation and research capacity and technological advancement in the Region. Further information on the outcomes of this study are available on the Policy and Research page.
2. BMW Region Foresight Study 2005-2025: this exercise involved a strategic process of planning, forward thinking and region-wide consultation, aimed at identifying key investment priorities for the BMW Region over a twenty year period. Further details on this study are provided on the Policy and Research page.
3. Education Outreach: this initiative involved the development and implementation of an innovative education strategy in peripheral sub-regions of the BMW economy which were not serviced by third-level educational institutions locally. The areas identified were the Midland Region counties of Laois, Longford and Offaly, Roscommon in the West Region and the West Border Region incorporating counties Cavan and Leitrim.
4. Social Accounting Matrix: this econometric model was developed to facilitate the measurement and the impact of key cross-sectoral investment interventions on the spatial and economic development of the Region. The potential impact of the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor was applied to this model. The outcome offered a balanced analysis examining the sectors which would benefit from the development (e.g., tourism and household sectors) and while also taking account of sectors which would decline (e.g., non-rail transportation). The project was a success in that for the first time it allowed the Regional Assembly the opportunity to look more closely at the economic impact of investment on the Region using input/output analysis techniques.
5. Technology Advance Programme: to address the challenges of low ICT penetration and technological adaptation within small firms, the Technology Advance Programme was implemented using the existing network of County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) throughout the Region. The involvement of CEBs facilitated the identification and selection of suitable companies to participate in a pilot initiative aimed at stimulating company growth and development, technological advancement, strategic planning and market planning.
6. Wireless Internet Service: this scheme sought to address significant deficits in the supply of rural broadband services to isolated communities throughout the Region. Wireless broadband was chosen by the steering committee as an appropriate technology to pilot. A specially appointed technical steering committee completed a detailed assessment process and selected the six areas to pilot the project. Funding under the RPIA delivered projects in Ballinlough/Ballyhaunis, Strokestown and Virgina. Funding was leveraged under the Clár Programme for the remaining areas of Dungloe, Enniscrone/Killala and Lanesboro. This pilot action provided a model for the Group Broadband Scheme which was launched nationwide.
