Meath Co. Council – Press Release – 26thOctober, 2012

Title:Meath Local Businesses Set to Gain from a €1.34m. Project

Meath County Council is delighted to announce that businesses in Meath will benefit from a share in EU project funding of €1.34 m. under the STEM –Sustainable Business Network.
The STEM Project, which is part funded by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme is set to help 20 small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) in Meath to save money, boost profits and reduce their impact on the environment. Businesses will be offered the opportunity to participate in a range of networks and clusters and avail of 5 days site specific support that will help them identify cost savings in energy and waste. The cost to participate and avail of the services being provided by the STEM Project will be €240 per annum. Meath County Council, as part of its support to the local business community will be defraying this cost for local businesses to become involved.
Kevin Stewart, Director of Services, Economic Development, is very pleased to see the services of the STEM Project being offered to businesses in County Meath and commented that “in the current economic climate we welcome any initiatives that will help our business community save money and increase their competitiveness, we are committed to supporting local businesses so that they can get involved at no cost and we would urge them to sign up for this project.”
Meath County Council will be announcing shortly how your business can apply to become one of the 20 businesses selected for Meath. With recruitment now open, businesses may contact the STEM Project to get signed, at 0044 7917 155014 or .
An environmental network will be established, which will meet regularly to share experiences and best practice, learn about environmental support, grant schemes, environmental legislation, renewable energy, environmental management and pollution control. The meetings will provide the businesses with the opportunity to network, build knowledge and learn from each other on environmental and other related issues.Group Chief Environmental Health Officer Martina McNulty from the delivery partner SGEHC, commented “the STEM Project is a fantastic example of what collaborative working across Councils can do to boost economic growth for local businesses and at the same time ensures a real contribution towards environmental sustainability.” The STEM Project will consider resource spend in the areas of electricity, gas, heating oil/gas oil, green diesel, waste and water.Businesses will be offered the opportunity to achieve a certified Environmental Management System (EMS). This is amajor partof the project and is something many small businesses need but do not have the capacity to undertake.
Chairman of East Border Region (Lead Partner in the STEM Project) Cllr Jackie Crowe welcomed the commencement of the STEM Project “I am delighted to see this project come to fruition. I was involved in the previous STEM Project and seen first-hand the real savings both economic and environmental that businesses can achieve as a result of participating in the programme. I look forward to the roll out of the STEM Project across our Region and welcome our collective effort to make a difference to the future sustainability of our environment. ”
If you would like to find out more about this programme, then please contact
Henry Brennan, Economic Development Officer, Meath County Council
Email : or Tel: 046 9097068
Notes to Editor:
The 11 participating Councils on the STEM Project include the ten Councils of East Border Region (Ards Borough Council, Armagh City & District Council, Banbridge District Council, Craigavon Borough Council, Down District Council, Louth County Council, Meath County Council, Monaghan County Council, Newry & Mourne District Council, North Down Borough Council) and Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council.
In its first cycle the STEM Project helped over 300 businesses collectively save over €600,000 and achieve an Environmental Management System (EMS) accreditation. The new and updated version of the STEM Project is set to work with 220 businesses across 11 Cross Border Councils and aims to collectively save them €750,000 – that’s an average of almost €3,600per business.
STEM may be contacted directly by contacting:
or Tel: 0044 74 368 02371
About SEUPB / INTERREG IVA:
The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Finance in Ireland. It is responsible for managing two EU Structural Funds Programmes PEACE III and INTERREG IV designed to enhance cross border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. The Programmes operate within clearly defined areas including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland.
The INTERREG IVA 2007-2013 Programme is worth €256 million and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders. It has two distinct priority measures to create co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable cross border region.
For more information on the SEUPB please visit
About EBR:
East Border Region Ltd (EBR) is a Local Authority led organisation which comprises ten Local Authorities namely; Newry and Mourne, Down and Banbridge District Councils, Armagh City and District Council, Craigavon, Ards and North Down Borough Councils in Northern Ireland and Louth, Monaghan and Meath County Councils in the Republic Of Ireland.
EBR was established in 1976 to promote innovative, cross border economic development in the areas of agriculture, Industry, Commerce and Tourism and to improve the living conditions and employment prospects of those living in the region. EBR was awarded the role of Implementing Body in the Ireland/Northern Ireland INTERREG IIIA Programme 2000-2006 and as a result successfully implemented approximately €25 million to genuine cross border projects across the region. At present EBR has been successful in securing approximately €15 million from the INTERREG IVA Programme. EBR is a truly democratic, representative, transparent, multi skilled cross border organisation.
For more information on EBR please visit