Projects
Projects
Páirc na mara is supported by many projects of The Údarás. The Údarás provides research, training and knowledge-sharing opportunities to enterprises through its participation in EU-funded transnational programmes, including projects funded under H2020 and INTERREG, as well as other European sponsored projects and events. The current range of projects which the Agency manages includes:
SW-GROW
SW-Grow is an EU funded project with sole focus on the seaweed industry in the Northern Periphery and Arctic region. It aims to identify common issues throughout the region and give access to high-level R&D links within academic partners across regional and national borders to pilot solutions that can be adopted throughout the industry – thus developing solutions that enable technology transfer across the Programme area – in particular benefiting SMEs. This will result in higher levels of innovation and competitiveness in remote and sparsely populated areas by transfer and development of models and solutions that facilitate technology transfer to, and across, the Programme area.
Expected positive outcomes include:
- A DNA database of seaweed characteristics from different parts of the region.
- A database of processes and products based on seaweed as a basis for branding initiatives and product development.
- Improved efficiencies of local facilities for drying and processing.
- Collation of best practice and techniques for small to medium scale cultivation.
- Collation of best practice for regulation.
- Creation of a legacy cluster of seaweed interest groups, companies and other stakeholders to continue joint marketing.
- A symposium event for SMEs to promote and market seaweed products.
- Product development and marketing initiatives.
EMPORIA4KT
The European Union (EU) Blue Economy represents all economic activities related to oceans, seas and coastal regions and covers areas such as fisheries, shipbuilding, tourism and ocean energy. The sector currently provides employment for almost 3.5 million people in Europe, and continues to grow. However, investments in innovation are needed to create new business opportunities and to sustainably manage our ocean and sea resources. Commercialisation of technological innovations is a key driver of long-term economic growth, but Early Stage Technologies (EST) developed through academic research often do not reach market. To drive sustainable growth of the EU Blue Economy, better links are needed between academia, business and government – sectors which often have different motivations.
EMPORIA4KT will improve transnational cooperation and synergies between the triple helix players of academia, business and government, to foster innovation and competitiveness in support of the Blue Economy in the Atlantic Area. The project will do so by empowering researchers to transfer their knowledge outputs and innovations to different sectors.
ACCESS2SEA
Marine aquaculture (fish, shellfish, algaculture) is a leading sector of the Atlantic Area Blue Economy that counts on an important tradition in many EU countries and that is relevant in many of its coasts As only 10% of Atlantic shore seafood is aquaculture-sourced there is great opportunity for raising Atlantic Area aquaculture production in a sustainable way which is the main goal of Access2Sea.
Aquaculture has the potential to boost economic development and job creation especially in the seafood sector by the sustainable exploitation of the Atlantic Area natural assets. Creating new sustainable farms is a key element for the blue economy in the region.
Access2Sea improves the attractiveness of the Atlantic shore for aquaculture SMEs by enabling new business opportunities and providing sustainable and easier access to it.The main objective is to enhance the exploitation and preservation of the Atlantic Area natural assets:
-By unlocking the existing barriers.
-Facilitating terrestrial production.
-Disseminating new and existing solutions.
-Providing support to aquaculture SMEs, to strengthen or attract them to the area.
Access2Sea integrates a market approach to the development of SMEs by supporting:
– Generic productive investment in small and medium sized enterprises.
-Technology transfer and university-enterprise cooperation benefiting SMEs.
-SME business development.
-Support to social enterprises.
Marine Training
At the core of an tÚdarás’ values are training and upskilling of employees and members of the community. There has been an increased focus on the maritime upskilling, and many courses have taken place with more scheduled in the future. Below is an outline of the courses that have taken place recently:
- BIM – Higher Diploma in Aquabusiness
- QQI Level 5 Boatbuilding
- QQI Level 5 Aquaculture – major award:
- Navigation and Stability
- Safety and Health at Work
- Aquaculture Hatchery Production
- Shellfish Ongrowing Operations
- Finfish Ongrowing Operations
- Seaweed Ongrowing
- Marine Engine Operations
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