PoliRuralPlus

Introduction

The PoliRuralPlus Project aims to improve quality of life in both rural and urban areas across Europe by promoting balanced, collaborative development. In Ireland, our focus is on the Monaghan Regional Action Plan, titled: “Advancing the Circular Economy in County Monaghan: Exploring Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Environmental Products and Services.”

This plan will be implemented with the support of local authorities and EU funding programmes, offering exciting opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and business growth within the circular economy sector.

Background Information

Experienced pilot – successfully completed PoliRural Phase One.
Focused on County Monaghan: A rural county in Ulster’s Border Region, representing a model territory for rural-urban integration with a population of 65,288 (2022), 63% rural.
Challenges: Innovation Gaps, Connectivity Issues, Skills Mismatch, Environmental Pressure, Outward Migration and Talent Drain, Data Gaps and Trust in AI and Housing and Infrastructure Pressures
Project Theme: Advancing the Circular Economy in Co. Monaghan: Exploring Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Environmental Products

Our Stakeholders

Vision Statement

By 2040, County Monaghan will be a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable rural-urban region, powered by a circular and green economy and recognized as a model of environmental innovation and community-driven growth.

Project objectives:

To promote circular economy practices that turn local waste into valuable resources, creating new green jobs and sustainable enterprises.
To strengthen links between rural and urban areas through shared services, better planning, and cooperation.
To improve digital access and skills so communities and businesses can benefit from technology and new opportunities.
To support sustainable agriculture through training and innovation that improve productivity while protecting the environment.
To foster policy alignment and collaboration among local authorities, enterprises, and EU programmes to scale up green innovation.

Road Map for Regional Action Plan

The Irish Pilot’s roadmap exercise combined stakeholder consultation, applied research, alignment with the LEADER programme, PoliRuralPlus tool application, and validation. Building on the project’s learning and best practices, the pilot has also gained awareness of EU and national funding streams, actively exploring and applying for opportunities. Together, these steps position County Monaghan as a leading model of circular economy innovation

PoliRuralPlus Masterclass - One Stop Shop

Circular Economy Idea Generation Workshop

PoliRuralPlus - Aligning Objectives

PoliRuralPlus aligns with other EU policy initiatives focused on innovative and sustainable community development.

Contribution to the New European Bauhaus (NEB) and the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas (LTVRA)

PoliRural Tools

Advisor

Used for documentation, and rapid access to structured regional knowledge. Enabled the Irish pilot to analyse multiple sources quickly and co-draft Regional Action Plan content with stakeholders.

Jackdaw

Initially tested for data gathering and location search. However, accuracy issues and later access restrictions meant it was not actively used in recent months.

MAATool

Used for stakeholder mapping, engagement, and management.

Vulture

Explored for funding intelligence and limited direct application to our small pilot team.

Reference Database

Tested to explore alternative policy pathways and reference scenarios.

PoliRuralPlus Website

The PoliRuralPlus website is used for sharing Irish pilot information, results, and events.

Please visit the following link for further details: https://www.poliruralplus.eu/services/

Key Upcoming Activities

Circular Economy Awareness and Idea Generation Workshop
Establish Circular Economy Hub in Co. Monaghan
Prepare the Regional Action Plan with focus on circular economy and launch it
Focus on EU Funding Streams – Actively pursue and prepare applications to EU funding programmes to support Regional Action Plan execution.
Monitoring and Evaluation – Establish a process for tracking progress, measuring impact, and adjusting actions where necessary.
Communication and Dissemination – Continue sharing updates, results, and opportunities via the PoliRuralPlus website and local channels
Integration with LEADER Programme – Align RAP priorities with LEADER actions to leverage local development funding and partnerships.
Waste Stream Mapping – Continue collaboration with Monaghan County Council to complete mapping and identify circular economy opportunities.

EU Funding Landscape 2025

Funding was applied for via the following initiatives.

Name of Fund	Description	Status
Citizen Led Renovation Fund	Empower and support energy communities, one-stop shops, NGOs, local authorities, and technical facilities to overcome financial, legal, technical, and informational barriers in delivering citizen-led building renovation projects across the EU	Applied, but did not succeed
RURALLIFE (HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-01)	Address and mitigate demographic challenges in rural areas through evidence-based planning and innovative solutions, involving multi-actor engagement (e.g., rural communities, SMEs, public authorities, social-economy actors) and leveraging social sciences and existing EU research infrastructures.	Applied and awaiting results Expected budget: € 273,000
European Energy Committee Facility	Empower emerging and established energy communities across the EU by providing lump-sum grants and targeted capacity-building to develop robust business plans, enhance long-term financial sustainability, and improve access to external financing for community energy project	Applied and awaiting results Expected budget: € 45,000
PLAN4CET project - Mentoring Programme	Support and strengthen Clean Energy Transition (CET) planning across European regions by offering targeted mentoring to municipalities, regional governments, and energy agencies	Applied and awarded
Prospect+	PROSPECT+ stands as a capacity-building Horizon 2020 initiative tailored for cities and regions, designed to empower regional and local authorities to finance and execute sustainable energy plans with maximum effectiveness and efficiency	Applied and awarded

Learn More

About the PoliRuralPlus Project: https://www.poliruralplus.eu/about/

Project pilots and partners: https://www.poliruralplus.eu/pilots/

Project news: https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/

Knowledge transfer: https://www.poliruralplus.eu/knowledge-transfer/

Services including Tools: https://www.poliruralplus.eu/services/

Layman catalogue (maps): https://www.poliruralplus.eu/catalogue/?source=maps

Open calls (Funding Opportunities): https://www.poliruralplus.eu/open-calls/

Results: https://www.poliruralplus.eu/results/

Our Publications

Turning Poultry Waste into Rural Wealth: Business & Policy Opportunities in Co. Monaghan, Ireland

This article explores how County Monaghan can transform poultry waste into rural economic opportunity through circular economy solutions and smart regional planning

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/turning-poultry-waste-into-rural-wealth-co-monaghan-ireland/

From Prospect+ To Poliruralplus: Capacity-Building Insights And Funding Strategies For Sustainable Energy

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/from-prospect-to-poliruralplus-capacity-building-insights-and-funding-strategies-for-sustainable-energy/

Blog: A Personal Reflection on the Capacity-Building Programme of Prospect+

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/a-personal-reflection-on-the-capacity-building-programme-of-prospect/

Exploring a Community Work Approach to Advancing Climate Justice: A Case Study of Monaghan County, Ireland

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/exploring-a-community-work-approach-to-advancing-climate-justice/

Ireland’s Regional Action Plan Roadmap

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/irelands-regional-action-plan-roadmap/

Feasibility Study of Circular Economy Business opportunities

A Personal Reflection on the Capacity-Building Programme of Prospect+ (Blog)

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Exploring Circular Economy Opportunities In County Monaghan (Blog)

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PoliRuralPlus Irish Pilot Project Summary

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Scoping Exercise to Identify Circular Economy Business Growth Opportunities in County Monaghan

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PoliRuralPlus Poster - Future Oriented Collaborative Policy Development for Rural Areas and People

News

MID Showcased at PLAN4CET Mentoring Programme in Spain

Irish Pilot highlights Regional Action Plan and community-led Circular Economy and energy transition initiatives at the EU mentoring programme in Navarra

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/mid-showcased-at-plan4cet-mentoring-programme-in-spain/

Stakeholders Unite in Irish Pilot: Circular Economy and Regional Planning Lead the Conversation

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/stakeholders-unite-in-irish-pilot/

Invitation to Participate in Circular Economy Ideas Generation Workshop:

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/invitation-to-participate-in-circular-economy-ideas-generation-workshop/

Irish Pilot’s 2nd Stakeholders Meeting:

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/irish-pilots-2nd-stakeholders-meeting/

Join Us in Building a Circular Future in County Monaghan, Ireland!

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/join-us-in-building-a-circular-future-in-county-monaghan-ireland/

First Stakeholders Meeting Report:

https://www.poliruralplus.eu/news/first-stakeholders-meeting/

Stakeholders Invitation: