MEMO/07/576
Brussels, 14 December 2007
Ireland – Border, Midland and Western Regional Programme 1."Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013" -Programme under the "Regional Competitiveness and Employment" objective co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
[ Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED ]
2.Overview
The European Commission approved on 16 October 2007 a regional development programme for the Border, Midland and Western Region of Ireland for the period 2007-2013 entitled the "BMW Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013". This programme involves Community support for the BMW Region within the framework of the "Regional Competitiveness and Employment" objective. The total budget is EUR 571,897,096 and the Community investment through the ERDF amounts to EUR 228,758,838. This represents over 30% of Structural Funds allocations to Ireland under the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective. The BMW Region has a "phasing-in" status, which means a frontloading of community assistance in the early years of the 2007-2013 period.
3.The purpose and aim of the EU investment
Facilitate innovation, ensure sustainable development, improve accessibility and develop the urban fabric within the region, in order to enhance overall productivity and competitiveness.
The Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme 2000-2006 has invested over €2.81 bn to the end of 2006 during the previous programming period. Investments have primarily been undertaken in local infrastructure projects, local enterprise development, agriculture and rural development and the provision of childcare facilities within the region. The new programme aims to build upon this success and will address new challenges in the BMW region: it will seek to support entrepreneurship, innovation and knowledge, to develop world-class infrastructure and to support a sustainable environment.
4.The expected impact of the investment
The programme is expected to create an additional 4,000 jobs in assisted companies, to support 2,500 micro enterprises and to provide management support and mentoring to more than 35,000 people in micro enterprises. In addition, broadband will be provided to over 8,000 businesses in the BMW Region.
5.Priorities
The programme will be implemented through three main priorities plus a Technical Assistance priority:
Priority 1: Innovation, Information and Communication Technologies( ICT) and Knowledge Economy
Raise the research and innovation capacity and enhance the usage of ICT infrastructure in the Border, Midland and Western Region to support collaboration and technology transfer between higher education institutes and the business sector to promote entrepreneurship and competitiveness of enterprises.
Priority 2: Environment and Risk Prevention
Promote the sustainable development of rural areas and the protection and enhancement of the rural environment through innovative technologies. The priority will also stimulate energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment and the integration of sustainable energy practices into public policies.
Priority 3: Urban Development and Secondary Transport Networks
Strengthen the spatial structuring of the BMW Region by investing in integrated sustainable initiatives in order to enhance the competitiveness, accessibility and social cohesion of the region's urban growth centres end enhance their potential as drivers of economic growth.
Priority 4: Technical Assistance
Support for programme management and implementation, including technical support, communications and publicity, financial control activities, research and evaluation actions.
6.Managing Authority: Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly
Director: Mr Gerry Finn
The Square, Ballaghaderreen
IE- Co. Roscommon
Tel: +353.94.9862970
Fax: +353.94.9862973
E-mail: GFinn@bmwassembly.ie Web:
http://www.bmwassembly.ie
7.Title: "BMW Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013"
Intervention type: Operational Programme
CCI No.: 2007IE162PO001
No. of decision: C(2007)5162
Final approval date: 16/10/2007
8.Breakdown of finances by priority axis
Priority axis EU Contribution (€) National Public Contribution (€) Total Cost (€) 1: Innovation, ICT and the Knowledge Economy (ERDF) 80 600 000 120 900 000 201 500 000 2: Environment and Risk Prevention (ERDF) 36 000 000 54 000 000 90 000 000 3: Urban Development and Secondary Transport Networks (ERDF) 107 800 000 161 700 000 269 500 000 4: Technical Assistance (ERDF) 4 358 838 6 538 258 10 897 096 Total 228 758 838 343 138 258 571 897 096 
