About the WDC
Our Vision
“A confident and ambitious Western Region where excellence, innovation and creativity are rewarded, and the rich quality of life, clean environment and unique heritage are valued and safeguarded.”
Introducing the WDC …
The Western Development Commission (WDC) is a statutory body that was set up to promote both social and economic development in the Western Region (Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare) by:
- Ensuring that government policy is directed at improving the social and economic situation in the region.
- Developing projects in tourism, industry, marine, renewable energy, technology and organic agri-food, and so on.
- Operating the €32 million Western Investment Fund (WIF) to provide loans and equity to business and local communities in the West.
A unique role
The WDC plays a unique role in the Western Region:
- We are the only agency with the remit to develop and facilitate proactively strategies at the regional level.
- We are the only agency commissioned by government to put proposals to them on policy changes appropriate to the West.
- We are the only agency with approval to invest in local businesses as we do with the Western Investment Fund (WIF), which is only available to projects within the Western Region.
Small, flexible and regionally focused, the WDC can collaborate with all sectors (public, private and voluntary) and find ways around organisational boundaries. The organisation”s strong ethos of sharing intellectual and other resources means it is well placed to help achieve common good within the West.
An essential role
The WDC:
- Plays a key role in regional development – through strategic initiatives in various sectors such as agriculture and tourism.
- Advises government on policies affecting the region (all proposals are based on comprehensive economic and social research).
- Ensures that government policy is directed at improving the social and economic situation in the Western Region and that the interests of the West are always considered at the highest levels of government.
- Manages the Western Investment Fund (WIF), established to fill a ”funding gap” adversely affecting businesses and community groups in the region.
- Develops projects on a regional basis in sectors such as tourism, industry, marine, renewable energy, technology and organic agri-food.
Address
Western Development Commission
Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen
Co Roscommon, F45 WY26, Ireland
+353 (0) 9498 61441
info@wdc.ie
