ERNACT Welcomes Irish EU Council Presidency in Landmark 35th Anniversary Year

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The Presidency comes at a significant milestone for ERNACT as the organisation celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2026

01 July 2026 - ERNACT project

Ireland has officially assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months, leading negotiations on key European priorities including competitiveness, regional development, digital transformation and security.

The Presidency comes at a significant milestone for ERNACT as the organisation celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2026. Since its establishment in 1991, ERNACT has worked with local authorities and regional partners to translate European policy into practical projects that benefit communities across the North West of Ireland and other rural and peripheral regions throughout Europe.

The Irish Presidency's emphasis on strengthening European competitiveness, supporting balanced regional development and accelerating digital transformation closely reflects ERNACT's long-standing mission of helping regions collaborate to address shared challenges through innovation.

ERNACT currently manages the largest European project portfolio in its 35-year history, with initiatives supporting clean air, smart villages, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, energy resilience, healthcare transformation and climate action across Ireland and Europe.

Commenting on the commencement of Ireland's Presidency, ERNACT General Manager, Dr Caitriona Strain said: "Ireland's Presidency provides an important opportunity to reinforce the value of European cooperation in addressing the challenges facing rural and border regions. For 35 years, ERNACT has helped bring European policy to life by working with our members and partners to secure investment, build capacity and develop practical solutions that improve people's lives. We look forward to continuing that work throughout the Presidency and beyond."

Throughout the Presidency, ERNACT will continue working with its members and European partners to develop collaborative projects that support digital transformation, sustainability, innovation and regional competitiveness, ensuring that the North West of Ireland continues to play an active role in shaping and benefiting from European cooperation.

Further Information: Updates on the official programme are available on the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union Portal.

Click here to email Maixa Zabaleta at ERNACT for further information

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