Key steps include:
Athlone and surrounding areas to be designated as nationally important Strategic, Enterprise & Biodiversity Zones
Designated Opportunity Areas to be identified in line with masterplan – education, residential, enterprise, biodiversity, etc
Planning framework to be adopted to enable the delivery of residential, workplace, biodiversity and educational development
Investment to be secured from private and public sources, including national and EU funds.
The EU offers a range of funding packages that a project such as this can draw upon. Adhering to the EU’s criteria for sustainable urban development will mean this vision for Athlone has access to billions of euros of funding.
Funding is available for projects that focus on:
- Urban infrastructure and regeneration
- Sustainable urban mobility
- Social and affordable housing
- Education and training
- Health and life sciences
- Water, sewerage and solid waste infrastructure
- Cultural and administrative buildings
- Digital activities
Funding packages available include:
- Research and Innovation: Horizon – €95.65bn
- European Regional Development Fund – €396m
- Just Transition Fund – €84m dedicated to Ireland and €168m when matchedby Government
- European Urban Initiative - €450m to create and offer opportunities andan environment for implementing bold urban strategies
- European Investment Bank (EIB) – 20-30% of the bank’s annual lending is dedicatedto sustainable cities and urban services, social & affordable housing
- Bauhaus Initiative – EU funding initiative fostering sustainablesolutions for transforming the built environment and lifestyles under the greentransition
There are also funding schemes within Ireland which Athlone 2040 can benefit from, including:
- Ireland National Development Plan – €165m
- Urban Regeneration and Development Fund – €2bn
- Climate Action Fund – €500m
- Ireland Strategic Investment Fund – stands ready to invest across themesof climate, housing, indigenous business, and food and agriculture