Western Development Commission wins European award for boosting creative economy
THE Western Development Commission (WDC) has been honoured with a prestigious Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Award in the category ‘Reaching a Critical Mass’, recognising its leadership in developing the creative economy across Ireland’s western and northwestern regions, and beyond.
The award was presented during the Interreg NPA’s 25th anniversary celebrations in Bodø, Norway, acknowledging organisations that have successfully brought together creative talent across the NPA region spanning parts of Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands to amplify cultural and economic impact.
The WDC was selected for its long-standing commitment to supporting creative enterprises and fostering transnational collaboration through a series of Interreg-funded projects over the past decade.
Kirsti Mijnhijmer, head of secretariat at the NPA, described the WDC as “instrumental in initiating and leading projects that raised the economic potential of the creative and cultural sectors of the NPA region.”
Through its partnerships, the WDC has enabled creative professionals and entrepreneurs to connect across borders, share expertise, access new markets, and showcase the rich literary and cultural heritage of the Northern Periphery and Arctic region. Over the past 10 years, the WDC has led and supported flagship NPA initiatives including Spot-Lit and N-LITE (Literary Tourism Immersive Technology Acceleration).
Through Spot-Lit, the WDC and partners in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Finland, and Iceland established a vibrant regional literary tourism sector, supporting the development of four test models and more than 20 new literary projects.
The project enhanced SME participation and strengthened cross-border collaboration in a field deeply rooted in regional identity and storytelling traditions. Building on that foundation, N-LITE is expanding the reach of literary tourism through immersive storytelling, digital skills development, and creative innovation.
Backed by €1.5 million in Interreg NPA funding, the initiative brings together partners across Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Faroe Islands to help creative SMEs adopt technologies, such as game engine visualisation and interactive storytelling.
By equipping creators with new skills and tools, N-LITE is helping to boost competitiveness, open international markets, and position the west of Ireland as a living testbed for creative innovation.
Accepting the award on behalf of the organisation, Ian Brannigan, head of regional development at the Western Development Commission, said: “This award represents more than a decade of dedicated work in progressing the creative economy across the west of Ireland, a journey strongly supported through the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme. It is a significant European recognition of the WDC’s role in developing a key sector for our region and a commendation of the efforts of so many WDC colleagues, past and present, who have contributed to its success.
“Together, we have helped to position creativity as a driver of innovation, opportunity, and sustainable growth in the west.”
This recognition aligns directly with the WDC’s new strategic plan, Unlocking Potential, Driving Change (2025–2029), which aims to build sustainable communities and a thriving enterprise ecosystem across the region.
By fostering innovation within the creative industries and strengthening international partnerships, the WDC continues to deliver on key pillars of its mission - supporting diverse enterprises, expanding global engagement, and advancing social innovation through collaboration.