This scheme has now closed for applications. 

A scheme to support locally-led initiatives in the EU Just Transition territory.

The Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme provides targeted support to projects that will boost communities and the economic fabric of the wider midlands. The aim of the scheme is to help implement bottom-up local and regional economic strategies to promote the generation of employment in the EU Just Transition territory by investing in the modernisation and diversification of the local economy.

A wide range of locally defined projects are possible under this call, provided that there is alignment with objectives of the EU Just Transition Fund and with the Local Economic and Community Plans and the Regional Enterprise Plans.

Successful projects will be delivered before 31 March 2026.

Read the press release here.

Geographical area covered:

EU Just Transition Fund territory. This includes the entire counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, and municipal districts of Ballinasloe (Co. Galway), Athy and Clane-Maynooth (Co. Kildare), and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co. Tipperary). All projects must be delivered in or provide benefit to the eligible territory.

Policy objective:

This scheme falls under the EU JTF programme Priority 1: Generating Employment for former peat communities by investing in the diversification of the local economy. The specific operation concerned is Action 1.2: Support the implementation of local and regional economic strategies.

Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and European Union, the EU Just Transition Fund has a single specific objective, which is to enable regions and people to address the social employment, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050, based on the Paris Agreement.

Eligible applicants:

Organisations who are eligible for funding under this scheme include: Local Authorities (LAs) within the EU JTF Territory, Local Development Companies (LDCs), Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Education and Training Boards (ETBs), Educational Institutions, Other Public Bodies, Community and Voluntary organisations, Social Enterprises, Charities, and Not-for-profit organisations.

There are two categories of grant for which eligible organisations can apply:

• Category 1: EU JTF Local Economic Community Plan (LECP) Projects where projects should align with the LECP of the territory
• Category 2: EU JTF Regional Enterprise Plan/Strategic Flagship (REP) Projects where projects should align with the REP of the territory

The full terms and conditions are available in the Scheme Applicants Guidelines on Pobal’s website www.pobal.ie/programmes/eujtf-lecp-rep/

Total amount of support:

Up to €24 million total funding under this scheme. There is up to €15 million in funding available for projects that align with the 8 Local and Community Plans (LECPs) in the Territory with a further maximum of €9 million available for strategic flagship projects aligned with the relevant Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs).

Grant amounts per project:

• LECP Projects (Category 1) – €200,000 to €1,000,000
• REP Projects (Category 2) – €1,000,000 to €5,000,000

Call start and end dates:

The call launched on 13 October 2023.

Deadlines for applications:

• ‘Ready to go’ Local Authority-led LECP projects and REP projects: 8 December 2023
• Concept papers for all other LECP projects had to be submitted by 17 November 2023 with formal applications submitted between 11 December 2023 – 23 January 2024.

Application Process:

Within the two categories, there are 3 processes through which eligible organisations can apply for grants. They are as follows:

• ‘Ready to Go’ LECP Projects– This process is only for LECP projects led and implemented by Local Authorities. Other eligible organisations may participate in a Ready to Go project, provided the application is submitted by the Local Authority and the implementation of the project is led by the Local Authority. Please see LA-led LECP Projects tab to know more.
• REP projects – This process is for REP projects led by any eligible organisation. Please see REP Projects tab to know more.
• Concept Paper LECP projects – This process is for LECP projects led by any eligible organisation. Please see LECP Projects tab to know more.

Full details are available in the Scheme Applicants Guidelines on Pobal’s website www.pobal.ie/programmes/eujtf-lecp-rep/

Further information and support: 

5 support events were held to assists applicants in making their applications. For full list of events, check out the application support events tab on the Pobal website.

If you have any questions about the call, email onlinesupport@pobal.ie or call Pobal support at 01 511 7222.

Full information is available on Pobal’s website.

Pobal website