A number of organisations in the North-East have come together to form a new Bioeconomy Cluster for the region.
The North-East Bioeconomy Cluster has recently been established by Truagh Development Association, Dundalk IT Department of Agriculture, Food and Animal Health, IFA Monaghan, Teagasc and Irish Rural Link.
Its aim is to help develop and promote the bioeconomy in the North-East region working to ensure that local rural communities and farmers are at the forefront of this rapidly developing rural economic sector. The bioeconomy is not readily understood but essentially covers all sectors and systems that rely on biological resources (animals, plants, micro-organisms and derived biomass, including organic waste), their functions and principles. It includes land and marine ecosystems and the services and products they provide.
While in its infancy today, the Irish bioeconomy is rapidly expanding and is acknowledged by the government in the National Development Plan, Project Ireland 40 as crucial to decarbonisation, sustainability, rural development and rural employment. The bioeconomy will have an enormous role to play in shaping the future Irish rural circular economy.
Founding Members of the North-East Cluster have committed to work together to ensure that local rural communities and the farming population in the north-east region of Ireland have a central role to play in shaping the bioeconomy in the north-east region. Said Chairperson of the cluster, Fiona McCaffrey Jones of Truagh Development Association “We are delighted to be part of this future oriented cluster. It’s crucial that the local rural grass-roots community is fully engaged in shaping the bioeconomy future. We all know rural green jobs are the future and we in Truagh are happy to play our part in this.”
Initially the work of the cluster will concentrate on building relationships, information sharing and pilot project work. It will serve all those with an interest in the bioeconomy in the north-east of Ireland and work to make it easier for the rural citizen, community, business or organisation to get involved.
“As one of the voices of modern rural Ireland we’re keenly aware that the Irish rural economy is changing at an unprecedented pace. The chance to live and work sustainably in Rural Ireland is today more possible than ever before. The circular bio-economy is central in this and Irish Rural Link are very excited by the potential of this north-east network to play a leading role in the sectors development.” Seamus Boland Irish Rural Link CEO.
For Further information please contact Cluster Chairperson Fiona McCaffrey Jones on 047 87049 or fiona@blackwaterlearningcentre.com
