WDC event highlights collective action as key to sustainable regional growth in west and northwest
THE Western Development Commission (WDC) brought together over 150 local, regional and national leaders at The Model Arts Centre, Sligo, for the Regional Resilience Summit. This major event focused on shaping the future of the west and northwest of Ireland through joined-up thinking, collaboration, and long-term investment.
Under the theme ‘Regional Resilience, Building the Future Together,’ the summit convened policy leaders, entrepreneurs, community innovators and development partners to address the economic, social and structural shifts impacting regional Ireland and to spotlight the role of leadership in unlocking collective progress.
Hosted by broadcaster Andrea Gilligan, the event featured high-profile contributions from national and international thought leaders, including Jim Power, economist, who delivered a keynote linking global economic policy with Ireland’s regional realities and outlined the imperative for targeted investment; Claire Charbit of the OECD, explored regional attractiveness, sharing global insights into how regions can position themselves to attract talent, investment, and innovation; and Paddy Austin of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, provided a sharp overview of the west and northwest’s regional policy priorities, challenging leaders to move beyond dialogue and into collaborative action.
Marian Harkin, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said: “The Regional Resilience Summit has shown the strength, ambition and innovation that exists right across the west and northwest. This region has the talent, the ideas and the community spirit to thrive, and government will continue to support that energy through investment, infrastructure, and inclusive policy.
“I commend the Western Development Commission for leading this vital conversation and for the work it does every day to drive sustainable growth in rural and regional Ireland. Resilience isn’t just about responding to challenges, it’s about building the kind of future we want together.”
Throughout the summit, the WDC showcased its strategic role in driving sustainable development, highlighting the impact of the Western Investment Fund, support for innovation and enterprise, hubs, investment in social enterprise, and its leadership in regional policy.
In his remarks, the Western Development Commission CEO Allan Mulrooney said: “The shocks will keep coming, from global trade shifts to climate change, but it is how we respond that will define us. Resilience is not about surviving the next crisis, it is about building a long term vision for the west and northwest that strengthens communities, drives innovation and adds real value to Ireland.”
Mr. Mulrooney emphasised that resilience is never the work of one organisation, but a collective effort that depends on government investment in infrastructure, SMEs and industry scaling innovation, communities and social enterprises building from the group up, academia providing skills and research, and the diaspora adding global reach and investment.
“If we align our strengths and work together, we won’t just build resilience, we’ll redefine what’s possible for our region,” said Mr. Mulrooney.