4th LOTTI Interregional Meeting: Galway Highlights
On September 25, 2024, the Irish partners of the Interreg Europe LOTTI Project, NWRA and WestBIC, hosted the 4th LOTTI Interregional Meeting (LIM 4) in Galway. Representatives from Finland, Spain, Poland, and Italy gathered at Platform94 for meaningful discussions, while Discovery Partners from Serbia and Albania participated online.
The meeting commenced with Councillor Declan McDonnell, Leas-Cathaoirleach of NWRA, who underscored the importance of collaboration with EU partners. Mary Ryan, Deputy CEO of WestBIC, welcomed the attendees, followed by an overview of the region presented by James Donlon from WestBIC. Conall McGettigan, Assistant Director of the NWRA, highlighted the assembly’s role and its Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. The morning included workshops where stakeholders showcased Good Practices, with participants using Mentimeter to provide feedback and discuss incorporating these practices into the Interreg Policy Platform.
Following the interactive workshop, the day continued with site visits. CEO John Brennan of WestBIC led a presentation of Platform94, formerly known as the Galway Technology Centre. Established by the Digital Task Force in 1994, Platform94 is a non-profit business and technology centre that aids scaling businesses in the West of Ireland. It serves as a soft landing site for multinationals and has significantly boosted the local economy by supporting over 300 companies and facilitating around 3,000 jobs since its inception.
The next stop was Údarás na Gaeltachta in Spiddal, where Ultan Faherty welcomed the group. This regional authority is dedicated to the economic, social, and cultural development of the Gaeltacht regions, home to approximately 70,000 Irish speakers. Údarás provides a variety of support services focused on enterprise development, job creation, and the promotion of the Irish language and culture.
The final site visit took place at FeelTect, a local business supported by Údarás, located in the GTEIC Innovation Centre. During this visit, partners learned about FeelTect’s innovative work in connected health, particularly its focus on improving wound care through technology. The company is developing cutting-edge solutions to monitor and manage compression therapy for chronic wounds, utilizing wearable devices that provide real-time data to enhance treatment accuracy and patient outcomes. Údarás actively supports indigenous businesses like FeelTect and promotes the use of the Irish language to preserve the region's cultural identity.
Day two of the LOTTI project Interregional Meeting began with a steering committee meeting at PorterShed in Galway’s Innovation District. This vibrant hub is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, providing a supportive environment for Start-ups. Dushyant Singh, the Programme Manager, shared insights into the resources available for emerging businesses, highlighting success stories from the region.
Later in the day, we toured the BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry, where we delved into their initiatives supporting food businesses. The campus focuses on innovation in the food sector, offering tailored support and apprenticeship programs aimed at equipping the next generation of professionals with essential skills.
The day concluded with an inspiring presentation from Elaine Negi of Bord na Móna on the Accelerate Green Programme. Elaine showcased the transformative impact of green innovation in today’s economy, emphasising the importance of sustainable practices for future growth.
A huge thank you to all our hosts and speakers for their contributions!
The LIM 4 meeting proved to be a fruitful exchange of ideas, promoting collaboration among partners. Participants shared insights on enhancing local identity and preserving cultural heritage while discussing innovative practices and support structures for local enterprises.