The Leitrim led 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.
Speaking about the project, Joe Lowe, Head of Enterprise, Leitrim County Council said “Leitrim 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, Rebecca Farrell, Economic Regeneration Officer with Leitrim County Council said “The selection as the national winner for the European award highlights what has been achieved to date as part of the Creative Heartlands with this partnership. The recognition demonstrates the impact the project is having and places it amongst the top projects in Europe who are working to sustain and support SMEs. We are honoured to have been selected and look forward to continuing our work with the creative sector.
Philip Delamere, Arts Officer, Leitrim County Council concluded that “The prize is not just an acknowledgement for the partners and funders, but it also acknowledges the creative enterprises themselves. Since we started this project, we have had incredible engagement and buy-in from the sector and this award is testament to their work as well.
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.
Creative Heartlands is a unique collaboration between the Arts Offices and Local Enterprise Offices of the Local Authorities in Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon and the Leitrim Design House. The project was developed to sustain existing enterprises and strengthen economic growth in the creative sector, particularly the film, design and digital fabrication sectors. Funding is provided by Enterprise Ireland and three local authorities.
You can find more information about the Creative Heartlands project and equipment here
