Representatives from local government, statutory agencies, enterprise, social partners, and the community and voluntary sectors from across the Ballyhoura region recently came together for the first Regional Stakeholder Meeting as part of the iCEAR Interreg Europe Project.

The meeting took place both in-person and online form, providing an opportunity to share insights, information, and experiences on fostering a more circular economy across rural areas.

The iCEAR Interreg Europe Project (Improving Circular Economy through Rural Bio-based Value Chains) aims to enhance regional and local policies that support circular economy initiatives in rural communities. By focusing on bio-based value chains, the project seeks to create sustainable, regenerative economic models that make better use of natural resources and reduce waste.

During the meeting, stakeholders learned about the diverse range of European partners involved in the project and the various policy instruments being implemented across regions. This led to engaging discussions around the scale and focus of circular economy activities across national and local government departments, agencies, and local development organisations.

Information was shared and discussion held on the common challenges and opportunities for improvement identified during the Interregional Partners Meeting and Study Visits in June 2025 in Germany. These insights are helping to shape the agenda for the upcoming partners meeting, which will be hosted by Ballyhoura Development in November 2025 in Ireland.

The sharing of knowledge and experiences among European partners continues to deliver significant benefits to communities in the Ballyhoura region — especially in emerging areas such as circular economy and bio-based innovation. Transregional and transnational collaboration creates valuable opportunities for learning, work experience, and practical exchange, supporting the Ballyhoura region's ongoing efforts toward a more sustainable and resilient local economy.

To find out more, visit the iCEAR Project website below:

iCEAR Project Website