Mayo projects progress to next stage of funding – Mulherin

Fine Gael Mayo Senator, and Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michelle Mulherin, has welcomed the inclusion of a number of Mayo-based projects in the next phase of the European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP).

The EIP forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, and is centred on groups coming together to develop their plans for addressing local challenges.

The projects which have now been selected to progress to the next phase will now receive funding to help them develop their plans. A number of these proposals will then be selected to move forward to the full implementation phase.

Senator Mulherin said: “Examples Mayo of projects progressing to the next stage includes The Connected Farmer, which examines an online platform approach to increasing supply chain efficiency, and the Nephin Beg uplands farming group, a locally led environmental project.

“As well as projects based solely in Mayo, projects with a regional and national focus have also progressed to the next round. These projects will all examine different challenges being experienced by the agri-food sector. The EIP will encourage innovative and creative solutions to these challenges.

“Successful proposals include projects to address such diverse themes as water quality, the restoration of upland peats, developing the potential of biomass, livestock management and production, forestry, organic production methods, food chain management, and a number of biodiversity challenges.

“I want to congratulate the projects who have advanced so far and wish them best of luck in progressing to Round 3.