Funding available to tourism SMEs in the Midlands to transform their digital presence as part of Fáilte Ireland’s EU Just Transition Digital Transformation Programme
- Open to businesses in 8 counties in Ireland’s Midlands*
- 100% project funding available**
- Closing date for submission of Expressions of Interest 30th November 2023
- Download programme prospectus here
Fáilte Ireland is inviting private and community-based micro enterprises and SMEs to register their interest in the EU Just Transition Digital Transformation Programme, which will help businesses improve their online presence, build their digital capability, unlock greater productivity and drive increased revenue for their business.
Part of Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs, the Digital Transformation programme is tailored to support tourism businesses on their digital journey. One-to-one expert support is provided to assess each business’s digital needs, build a digital roadmap tailored to their specific business, with training provided to increase their digital skills and deliver key digital projects to grow online sales.
This programme is open to visitor experiences and attractions, activities and day tour operators, accommodation providers, golf courses and destination marketing organisations located within the EU Just Transition territory*.
Orla O’Keeffe, Head of Industry Digitalisation with Fáilte Ireland said:
“The Digital Transformation Programme is a best-in-class programme that will position businesses in the Midlands at the forefront of innovation and opportunity in the digital space. We know that being visible and bookable online is a crucial part of being competitive in the modern market, and I encourage private and community SMEs to visit the Fáilte Ireland website to register their interest in this programme. Part of Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme and funded under the EU Just Transition Fund, this programme will help support businesses to develop cutting-edge digital solutions and unlock future opportunities.”
The Digital Transformation Programme is one element of Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs, being co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland as part of the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme.
The overall scheme aims to transform tourism across 8 counties in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East by diversifying the regional economy and providing new employment opportunities for workers and communities that were heavily dependent on peat.
Fáilte Ireland recognised the potential of tourism to generate employment for former peat harvesting based communities and developed a set of actions to be incorporated within the EU Just Transition Fund to create new enterprises and jobs by establishing the Midlands as an authentic regenerative tourism destination, based on the sustainable use of the peatlands and wetlands.
The Digital Transformation Programme is open for Expressions of Interest until 30th November 2023. Full information is available in the Digital Transformation Prospectus (available here) and applicants can register their interest here.
Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme for Ireland’s Midlands 2023-2026 under the EU Just Transition Fund will be delivered through a series of Open and Closed Call Grant-Aid Schemes, comprising seven distinct funding schemes which will be announced over the coming months.
**Investment grant aid of €7,000 to €58,000 available depending on the project scope.
