What Europe does for Louth?

While the European elections are getting closer, the European Parliament has re-launched a multi-lingual interactive website to illustrate concretely what difference the EU is making in people’s locality and to people’s lives. 

The website ‘What Europe Does for Me?’, put together by the European Parliamentary Research Service, presents hundreds of easy-to-read, one-page notes giving examples of the positive difference that the EU makes to people's lives. Users can easily find specific information about what Europe does for their region, their profession or their favourite pastime. 

The European Parliamentary Research Service encourages citizens to explore their local region. It has highlighted below three of the many projects featured in County Louth. 

Fionnuala Croker, Head of the European Parliament’s Liaison Office in Ireland said: “This website gives insight into how EU funds are put to work in County Louth.

"We believe this is an important tool that fosters a sense of unity, understanding and appreciation for the EU’s work. By increasing awareness of how the EU supports local communities, we hope to empower people to make more informed decisions and to become more involved in the democratic process“ 

Projects and initiatives supported by the EU in Louth: 

Carlingford Greenway: The Carlingford Greenway's completion is among three significant initiatives in Louth aimed at boosting the tourism and connectivity of the area.

The Shared Island Fund will contribute €1.5m to finalize a part of the cross-border Carlingford Greenway, which includes a 1.6km boardwalk structure near Newry. The INTERREG VA programme, a European Union scheme promoting strategic cross-border collaboration for a wealthier and more sustainable region, is also involved by backing other parts of the Greenway.

The SWELL Project: The Shared Waters Enhancement & Loughs Legacy (SWELL) plan is the beneficiary of a €35m investment provided by EU’s INTERREG VA Programme.

This project will oversee the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility and adjustments to the sewerage systems on both sides of the border, aiming to minimize wastewater pollution in Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle, over a span of four years.

These upgrades in wastewater assets are expected to increase the current ‘moderate’ status of the EU Water Framework Directive to ‘good’. For further details, visit this website: https://swellproject.com/ 

Social Housing Project: The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing multi-million euro financing for Ireland’s first social housing Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

The project aims to build hundreds of new homes in Dublin, Louth, Wicklow, and Kildare. Comhar Housing, part of the Comhar consortium, will construct 534 homes in the initial phase, managed by Choice Housing under a 25-year financing agreement. This innovative initiative addresses Ireland’s social housing shortage and improves the lives of low-income households.

Read more about the project and its benefits here: https://ireland.representation.ec.europa.eu/projects/social-housing-project-gets-european-investment-bank-backing_en