Monaghan Integrated Development (MID) was proud to participate in the Circular Economy in Action Conference 2026: Rethink, Repair, Reuse, hosted by Monaghan County Council at the Monaghan Peace Campus on October 17th, 2026.
Serving as the landmark closing event for Climate Action Week 2026—which featured over 40 practical climate events across the county—the conference brought together regional policymakers, industry pioneers, and community leaders to chart a sustainable path forward for County Monaghan.
Addressing Ireland's Circularity Gap
The conference commenced with official opening remarks from councillor Aidan Campbell, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, alongside insights from Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council.
In his remarks, Robert Burns emphasized the vital alignment between regional and national policies, placing circular resource management alongside energy and transport as a core pillar of local climate action. He specifically championed community-led circularity projects, noting that practical, citizen-driven initiatives—from repair and reuse to local resource stewardship—are essential to building a resilient, low-carbon county.
Keynote speaker Claire Downey (CEO of The Rediscovery Centre) further framed the national challenge. Attendees heard that Ireland’s current circularity rate stands at just 2.7%, meaning the vast majority of materials used in the economy stem from virgin sources. To bridge the gap toward the national target of 12% by 2030, speakers underscored that everyday repair, restoration, and extending product lifespans represent powerful forms of climate action that conserve resources and avoid emissions.
MID Unveils Regional Action Plan 2026–2030
Featured guest speaker Kilian Cawley, Chief Executive of Monaghan Integrated Development, delivered a key presentation titled “Advancing the Circular Economy in County Monaghan,” introducing MID’s Regional Action Plan (2026–2030).
Developed under the EU Horizon Europe PoliRuralPlus project—an initiative aligning local pilots across Europe with the European Green Deal—the Action Plan establishes a Community-Led Local Development approach to circularity.
Kilian Cawley outlined three core strategic interventions designed to turn local resources into enterprise and community opportunities:
- Regional Circular Economy Knowledge Hub: Establishing a dedicated knowledge hub in County Monaghan to coordinate regional stakeholders, deliver green skills training, support community repair and reuse schemes, and cultivate youth green entrepreneurship. Notably, MID’s work on funding models for this hub has already earned prestigious EU Innovation Radar recognition.
- Circular Waste-to-Resource Systems: Leveraging Monaghan’s strong agricultural and agri-food economy—including poultry, livestock, and mushroom sectors—to transform organic waste streams into valuable bio-based products, compost, and renewable energy.
- Community Energy Transition: Deploying the Community Energy Engagement Hub (CEEHub) to boost local energy literacy, assist households and community groups with SEAI grant applications, support building retrofits, and explore community microgrids.
"The transition to a sustainable future must be locally understood, locally owned, and locally delivered. Our ambition is to ensure County Monaghan is not simply responding to change but actively shaping it."
Celebrating Local Circular Economy Changemakers
The conference featured an engaging panel discussion moderated by BBC Northern Ireland’s Agriculture and Environment Correspondent, Louise Cullen. Representatives from MID joined fellow speakers—including Jill Kennon (Carrickmacross Toy Library), Sheila Clancy O’Donnell (Circular Dress Collaborative), Kevin McGuire (Genesis Coffee Shop), and Emma Murtagh (The Wheel)—to explore how local initiatives can scale up circular practices in fashion, retail, social enterprise, and community services.
Attendees also explored the hands-on Ideas Hub exhibition, which showcased impactful community-led projects:
- Teach na nDaoine & Veronica Clerkin (Tasteful Transformations): Demonstrating furniture restoration and upcycling.
- Carrickmacross Toy Library: Providing circular, shared access to toys for local families.
- Carrickmacross Tidy Towns: Hosting community bicycle repair workshops.
- Monaghan Tidy Towns Youth Team: Highlighting youth-led Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) initiatives.
- Hannah McElroy (Rua Designs): Showcasing eco-friendly textile painting.
- NOW Group & Global Action Plan: Presenting OCN green economy qualifications and community seed propagation programs.
Interactive MID Information Stand
Throughout the day, Monaghan Integrated Development hosted a dedicated information stand managed by Community Enterprise Development Officer Jeyald Antony Rasaratnam. The stand provided tailored guidance to attendees on practical energy-saving tips, SEAI Warmer Homes grants, Home Energy Toolkits, and avenues for participating in the PoliRuralPlus Regional Action Plan.
Throughout the day, Monaghan Integrated Development hosted a dedicated information stand managed by Community Enterprise Development Officer Jeyald Antony Rasaratnam. The stand provided tailored guidance to attendees on practical energy-saving tips, SEAI Warmer Homes grants, Home Energy Toolkits, and avenues for participating in the PoliRuralPlus Regional Action Plan.
Conference proceedings concluded with closing remarks from Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, who reaffirmed the joint commitment of local governance and community organizations to build a climate-resilient county.
Get Involved with MID’s Circular Economy Initiatives
To learn more about the Regional Action Plan (2026–2030), access Home Energy Toolkits, or collaborate on local circular economy projects, please contact Monaghan Integrated Development at jantony@midl.ie.