A regional project, Creative Heartlands, has been selected as the national winner for the prestigious European Enterprise Promotion Awards and will now go forward as the Irish entry to the European jury.
Creative Heartlands - National Winner for European Enterprise Promotion Awards
Pictured at a recent Creative Heartland event are (L-R): Stuart Lawn (Design Manager), Rebecca Farrell (Co-ordinator) and Johnny Gogan (Film Manager).
Project supporting Sligo Creative Enterprises selected as National Winner for European Enterprise Promotion Awards
A regional project, Creative Heartlands, has been selected as the national winner for the prestigious European Enterprise Promotion Awards and will now go forward as the Irish entry to the European jury. The award recognises investment in entrepreneurial skills and comes four years after the Creative Heartlands began operating in Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon to support and sustain creative enterprises particularly in the film and design sectors.
Leitrim County Council established the Creative Heartlands in 2020 as a unique collaboration between the Arts and Local Enterprise Offices of the Local Authorities in Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon and the Leitrim Design House. In 2021 the project successfully secured funding from Enterprise Ireland under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and what followed was a suite of supports rolled out to the creative enterprises across the three counties.
In welcoming the award, the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree said “I wish to commend the collaborative approach between the Arts & Local Enterprises Offices in Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon which is exemplified by the Creative Heartlands initiative, and this award further highlights the huge importance of the creative sector to the overall cultural and economic life of this region.”
Speaking about the project, Liam Kiely, A/Head of Enterprise, Sligo County Council said “This region has one of the highest proportion of people working in the creative sector nationwide. The vast majority are small businesses, but they provide significant employment in our region. To ensure sustainability, we must put in place the infrastructure and supports to enable the sectors’ growth. We see Creative Heartlands as a partnership that can help achieve this goal.”
The features of the project that ensured its selection as national winner included the work carried out to develop a network of practitioners and delivering an extensive programme of training. Over 500 people have attended 60 tailored workshops and €75,000 has been invested in a wide range of film and design fabrication equipment which is available to creative enterprises. The Creative Heartlands project managers have worked directly on a one-to-one basis providing mentoring and the knowledge and connections needed for individuals to take the next step in their professional development.
Speaking about the award, Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services, Planning, Economic, Community & Cultural Development, Sligo County Council, said “Being chosen as the national winner for the European award showcases the achievements made so far through the Creative Heartlands initiative and places it amongst the top projects in Europe dedicated to sustaining and supporting SMEs. Dorothy concluded that "The prize not only acknowledges the contributions of our partners and funders but also honours the creative enterprises themselves. Since the project's launch, we've seen outstanding engagement and dedication from the sector, and this award reflects their hard work as well. We are honoured by this selection and are eager to continue our work within the creative sector.”
Creative Heartlands will now go forward for consideration for the Grand Jury Prize for the European Award. The shortlist is expected to be announced in late September with an award ceremony taking place in November.