€50 Million Strategy Unveiled to Drive Regional Growth and Create 6,000 Jobs in the West and North West
Castlebar: The Western Development Commission (WDC) has launched a bold new five-year strategy aimed at creating 6,000 jobs across the West and Northwest of Ireland. The initiative, titled Unlocking Potential, Driving Change: A Strategy for Regional Growth and Collaboration 2025–2029, was officially unveiled in Ballina by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary.
Backed by €50 million in funding—including €35 million from the Commission’s Evergreen Investment Fund and €15 million from European Union sources—the strategy outlines a roadmap for innovation-led regional transformation through digital advancement, enterprise support, and sustainable development.
Strategic Priorities and Impact
The ambitious plan aims to create 5,000 jobs directly through regional and enterprise development initiatives, while also enabling the broader creation of 1,000 additional jobs through indirect support mechanisms.
A key component of the plan includes a €250,000 investment in the renovation of three ports in County Sligo, alongside the development of a network of 400 connected hubs. These hubs will serve as platforms for AI upskilling, digital transformation, and climate action, bringing cutting-edge capabilities to rural and regional communities.
Supporting Over 1,000 SMEs and 100 Projects
The investment will support over 100 projects across a variety of sectors, including SMEs, social enterprises, and the creative industries. Additionally, 1,000 SMEs are expected to benefit directly from EU-funded initiatives. In total, the Commission anticipates that the strategy’s wide-ranging impact will reach over one million people annually.
“This is not a new beginning, but the next step in harnessing the full potential of the West and Northwest,” said Alan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission. He emphasised that the strategy seeks to integrate artificial intelligence, climate resilience, and creative innovation while preserving the region’s cultural and natural heritage.
Building a Future-Ready Region
By embracing global opportunities and scaling emerging sectors such as medtech, agritech, renewable energy, and the creative economy, the strategy will foster flexible career pathways, promote lifelong digital skills development, and enhance AI-readiness at all life stages. The creation of collaborative hubs, both physical and digital, will further support regional connectivity and innovation.
Operating under the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, the WDC collaborates closely with government departments, local authorities, enterprise agencies, communities, and academic institutions to deliver its mission of balanced regional growth.
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