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2009 - Creative West - The Creative Sector in the Western Region

The creative sector refers to businesses such as arts, crafts, design, software development, architecture and film making, which are centred on human creativity to generate original goods and services. The Western Region has a strong creative legacy and Creative West examines the size and importance of the creative sector in the Western Region, the main issues for enterprises in the sector and makes recommendations on how the sector can grow in the future.

2009 - Background Research on the Creative Sector in Western Region

The creative sector refers to businesses such as arts, crafts, design, software development, architecture and film making, which are centred on human creativity to generate original goods and services. This report by contains comprehensive baseline research on the creative sector in the Western Region and provides the background data for the WDC report Creative West: The Creative Sector in the Western Region.

2008 - Wood Energy Strategy Full Version

This report presents the background information and detailed analysis on which the Wood Energy Strategy Summary was based. The report presents additional information on the various sections of the Summary including market prospects, resource assessment, scenarios and targets, barriers to development, and recommended actions under the strategy.

2008 - Wood Energy Community Enterprise Models Full Version

This report is the detailed project report on which Wood Energy and Community Enterprise A Guide was based. The full project report outlines background analysis e.g. results of surveys, together with additional information on wood energy supply chains and project examples.

2008 - Economic Impact of Regional Wood Energy Strategy

This report sets out the economic impact of the growth of the wood energy sector as presented in the Wood Energy Strategy Summary. The reports includes the background analysis for the economic factors assessed including: gross value added per annum; employment effects (both construction and wood fuel effects); value of carbon offset and its contribution to national climate change targets; other economic effects deemed significant.

2008 - Wood Energy Strategy Summary

This report presents a Wood Energy Strategy and Action Plan for the Western Region. The WDC supported by the Regional Wood Energy Advisory Group commissioned this market research and lead on the development of the strategy and action plan based on a process of industry consultation. The report assesses the potential wood fuel resource, analyses the market opportunities in the region, estimates regional targets and presents the actions required to achieve the potential growth rate. It also examines the economic impact of the growth of the wood energy market.

2008 - Wood Energy Summary Appendix

The appendix to the Wood Energy Strategy includes a map of the private forestry resource of the Western Region and individual county maps of the private forestry resource for counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Galway and Clare. The maps were compiled by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

2008 - Wood Energy and Community Enterprise A Guide

This guide reviews the opportunities for community-based enterprise in the wood energy sector. The guide is based on the information gathered during a joint project of the WDC and Údarás na Gaeltachta. This project report offers practical information on the wood fuel supply chain and includes three project examples. The following issues are looked at: potential markets; technology involved; cost structure of the wood fuel supply chain; and key questions to ask if your community what to get involved in the sector. This project was recommended under the Wood Energy Strategy.

2008 - Wood Energy and Local Authorities Donegal Case Study

This project report documents the experience of the Community & Enterprise Division of Donegal County Council, working in the context of the County Development Board, to support the growth of the local wood energy sector. The project assessed the potential benefits and outcomes from local authority involvement in the wood energy sector, and informs on the role of local authorities in supporting growth of this market. This project was recommended under the Wood Energy Strategy.

2008 - Biomass CHP Market Potential in the Western Region an Assessment

This report presents an analysis of the market potential for biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in the Western Region, and outlines the potential economic and social benefits that could be derived from development of the sector. This research provides the public and private sectors with practical CHP market information, and the following issues are reviewed: technology assessment; market profile; factors impacting development; and potential benefits of market growth. This research was recommended under the Wood Energy Strategy.

2007 - Communities and Renewable Energy - A Guide

This guide is for communities considering participating in a renewable energy project. It offers direction to communities looking at investing in or setting up a renewable energy project. The guide also offers private developers an insight into obtaining local community support for establishing a project, and policy makers will find this guide useful for identifying what is needed to encourage community involvement in the sector. The guide is based on a case study of a wind energy project in Co. Mayo. This project was a follow-on action from the publication of To Catch the Wind (2004).

2007 - Wood Energy Development in Western Region

This research report is a baseline study on the potential of wood energy in the Western Region. It reviews issues associated with wood energy deployment and its potential in the region including fuel resource, market opportunities and barriers to development. This report marked the completion of a phase of research and consultation by the WDC. This research was used as part of the knowledge base for the design of the Wood Energy Strategy.

2006 - Models of Rural Development

This report outlines in a step-by-step format the innovative approach to Rural Development which has been implemented successfully by the WDC across a number of sectors in the Western Region. The Model is outlined through two case studies, one from the organic agrifood sector and the other from the rural tourism sector. This report is intended as a practical reference guide for development practitioners, community groups and/or implementing agencies, who respect the principles of partnership, consultation and sustainable development and who wish to implement an innovative participatory and proactive Model of Rural Development.

2004 - To Catch the Wind - The Potential for Community Ownership of Wind Farms in Ireland

Ireland has one of the most promising, untapped energy resources to be found anywhere in Europe - wind energy. It is one of the few sectors in which the West of Ireland in particular has a major competitive advantage over almost every other region in Europe. This study set out to explore the potential for community ownership of wind farm in Ireland.