Dundalk 2020 – Delivering The Vision FAQ
An area of Dundalk of around 4 sq km, chosen to contain all the elements of a community –residential, college, secondary school, hospital, leisure facilities, industrial park, retail, hotel and office accommodation. It will act as a focus for sustainable energy initiatives, showing what can be achieved across a community, to stimulate action throughout Dundalk, Louth, the North East Region and Ireland.
Does this mean that the Zone is the only part of Dundalk that is involved?
Not at all. Whilst the Zone is the initial focus of activity, relevant initiatives anywhere in Dundalk are welcome and encouraged under the Dundalk 2020 banner.
What is the HOLISTIC Project?
HOLISTIC is a group of Work Packages within Dundalk 2020 that have been grouped together and presented to the European Commission for financial support under the European CONCERTO Programme. For this project Dundalk has joined together with Neuchatel (Switzerland) and Modling (Austria) so that all three communities can work together and learn from each other. We were in competition with many other projects across Europe and our success in winning support and approval from the European Commission is a vote of confidence in Dundalk 2020.
The name HOLISTIC was chosen as it goes right to the heart of Dundalk 2020 – all aspects of a community coming together to increase the sustainable use of energy.
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What is SEAI’s role?
SEAI initiated Dundalk 2020, put together the HOLISTIC project and has provided the expertise and resources to move Dundalk 2020 forward. This will continue, indeed with the relocation of SEAI Headquarters to Dundalk in 2007 SEAI will become fully a part of the community itself.
So is it all down to SEAI then?
Certainly not, SEAI cannot make Dundalk 2020 happen on its own. All members of the community have a part to play and commitment and action by local players such as Dundalk Town Council, Louth County Council and Dundalk Institute of Technology is essential.
How is Dundalk 2020 organised?
The whole project comes together with the Dundalk 2020 Steering Group, made up of key stakeholders in the community. Individual Work Packages will be grouped into Action Areas such as residential, transport, local involvement etc, each with its own Action Area Team. SEAI’s Dundalk 2020 Project Team is the core of the organisation, leading, managing and/or facilitating the work.
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Is Dundalk 2020 all about technical fixes?
No. Appropriate use of technology is certainly part of Dundalk 2020 but the attitude and behaviour of organisations and individuals in the community is just as important. Regulation and incentives have a role to play too.
How will Dundalk 2020 help the rest of Ireland?
A key element of Dundalk 2020 is dissemination – using Dundalk 2020 as an exemplar of what can be achieved. All communities are different, but everyone will be able to learn from the different Work Packages within Dundalk 2020, selecting those that can help increase the sustainable use of energy in their own particular circumstances.
How are Work Packages selected?
Ideas for new Work Packages can come from anywhere –from individuals or defined in an Action Area strategy. In all cases there is a process whereby the prospective Work Package is matched against the Dundalk 2020 vision, key stakeholder interest ascertained, route map set out and the idea accepted as a Work Package in a Dundalk 2020 Action Area.
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Where does the money come from?
Some is from the European Commission through support for HOLISTIC, some from the programmes run by SEAI such as House of Tomorrow, some from stakeholders such as Louth County Council. SEAI is also committing considerable resources in kind to Dundalk 2020 and indeed all stakeholders are putting time into the work.
Is Northern Ireland involved?
Newry and Mourne District Council is both part of HOLISTIC and a member of the Dundalk 2020 Steering Group. It is keen to contribute and to take experience from Dundalk 2020 and apply it in Newry. More broadly, there is interest in Dundalk 2020 from cross – border groups engaged in energy and economic development.
Who is involved?
Everyone in Dundalk is encouraged to get involved, whether it be at a professional or personal level. Organisations should contact the Dundalk 2020 SEAI Project Team, individuals should look out for community action initiatives.
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