Dublin City Council’s Economic Development Office and International Relations Office have hosted the launch of Dublin City Council’s EU Programme Participation Strategy 2021 – 2027.
This strategy launch takes place at a critical time in the history of our city, our country and the European Union. It is extremely timely with the visit of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to Dublin within the same week; announcing a post-Covid investment package, which showcases that the EU and Ireland are moving on. Dublin, being the economic engine of the country, must be at the forefront of this movement & Dublin City Council’s strategy aligns Dublin city for these developmental opportunities.
A year-long process was undertaken for the development of this strategy, bringing together City, Regional, National and European voices to share their focus for the next 7 year programme period and discuss opportunities for Dublin City, to continue to build a better future for those who live, work and visit our Capital city.
This strategy builds on Dublin City Council’s track record of participation in a range of EU Programmes and through this strategy the City Council will further build capacity for future participation.
The Council’s thematic approach focused on Regional & Urban Development; Horizon Europe; Social and Culture & Green and Smart. Examining a multitude of European Programmes, including Horizon Europe, Interreg, Urban Innovative Actions, URBACT, Erasmus+, Europe for Citizens, Creative Europe, the European Commission’s New Green Deal and the emphasis on greener, cleaner, digital and smarter in the new EU 2021 – 2027 budget, the Council has developed a matrix for collaborations and policy alignment over the next 7 year programme period.
A number of Dublin City Council’s current innovative units have originated through previous European projects & applications, including Smart Dublin & Smart Cities; Dublin place branding team, Dublin.ie; Dublin City Council Culture Company and Codema, Dublin’s Energy Agency.
Dublin City Council has now brought a focus, over this year long developmental process, to identify how best to understand and align European Programmes with the organisations priority areas. Our Focus for the current period will be Smart & Digital, Green & Climate focus, Social & Economics and Urban & Regional Development.
A key pillar of this strategy is the establishment of a Dublin City Council EU Programmes Office to provide efficient support services for staff participating or intending to participate in EU partnership projects. This Office will also act as a contact point for educational and research institutions as well as other organisations wishing to engage with DCC as a potential project partner. It will also have a key co-ordination, liaison and communications role both internally among Dublin City Council staff, other local, regional and European authorities and representatives as well as the public.
The City Council is confident that this strategy, and in particular the EU Programmes Office, will be a catalyst for the enhancement of Dublin city involvement at European level. It will emphasise Dublin’s potential within the networks of European cities, such as those formed in EU Programmes and the Committee of the Regions and Eurocities. It will also support the alignment of our Dublin City Council priorities with the goals and policy objectives of the European Union.
Dublin has had a successful year in Europe to date with:
- Smart Cities – Dublin currently ranked 26th Smart City in the world, up 15 places on the previous year
- Economic Development – Dublin chosen as 1 of 8 global cities to partake in OECD Social Economy peer to peer learning project
- Codema –securing €1.2 million EU funding to lead project to test & develop a project implementation unit for energy efficient & renewable projects in Dublin including €20 million worth of upgrades to council buildings & sites within the region
- Dublin’s 14 Henrietta Street, recently awarded the European Museum of the Year Silletto prize 2020 for local community engagement
The Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland commented, “The City Council is confident that this strategy will be a catalyst for the enhancement of Dublin City involvement at European level. It will emphasise Dublin’s potential within the networks of European cities, such as those formed in EU Programmes and the Committee of the Regions and Eurocities. It will also support the alignment of our Dublin City Council priorities with the goals and policy objectives of the European Union.”
“The City Council aspires for Dublin to be a proactive and innovative European city,” said Owen Keegan, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council. “Accessing EU programmes is important in achieving this outcome. The programme office is being established to assist in this regard.”
