Innovation and Transformation

It involves deliberate application of information, imagination and initiative in deriving greater or different values from resources. The economy of Dublin is constantly transforming and evolving as we shift to new patterns of living and working, such as Smart Cities and the Gig Economy. These societal shifts will result in disruptive solutions emerging to meet our changing needs. The city ecosystem will need to be able to adapt to meet these transformations.

Sample projects under the Innovation and Transformation pillar are:

• MODOS and the circular economy

Our current economic model is a linear model: we TAKE resources, we MAKE products out of them and then in the majority of cases we transform them into WASTE. The circular economy model instead keeps resources in use for as long as possible, extracts the maximum value from those resources, recovers and regenerates products and materials at the end of each service life (Source: wrap.org.uk).

Circular economy business models such as circular supply chains, resource recovery, product life extension, sharing, and product service system models represent a business opportunity, offer a competitive advantage and provide greater efficiency at a reduced cost. With the European Union introducing new legislation for a low-carbon economy, Green Procurement standards and the European Green Deal becoming effective, it is imperative that Irish businesses understand and adapt to the transition from a linear to a circular economy in order to future proof their business. 

MODOS is a circular economy programme for micro, small and medium enterprises and it is a joint initiative of Dublin City Council and the Eastern Midlands Waste Regional Office. The programme comprises dynamic training and online classes on the topic of circular economy principles, sustainable supply chain, resource efficiency, design thinking and customer engagement, as well as networking events and webinars. For further information contact [email protected], visit the Dublin Local Enterprise Office website, the MODOS webpage modos.ie or follow us on Twitter @DCCEconDev.

• Social Enterprise

Dublin City Council’s efforts and commitment to support social enterprise development has led Dublin’s involvement in the European Commission – European Social Economy Regions Project over the last few years. The objective of the project is to build networks of Social Economy and Social Enterprise stakeholders, encourage collaboration and to raise awareness about the Social Economy at regional and local level.

A Social Enterprise is…

Social enterprises are of great importance to Dublin and to local communities as they typically bring about economic benefits such as job creation (often for those who are marginalised); community benefits such as social inclusion or education; and policy benefits such as service delivery or active citizenship.

Through the Economic Development Office and Local Enterprise Office Dublin City, Dublin City Council seeks to encourage and support sustainable and strategic social enterprise and social innovation development in the city. Support provided to social enterprise and social innovation development includes: Training, Mentoring, Events, Grants and Promotion of social enterprises.

Dublin City Council also supports social enterprise and innovation development through the Dublin City Social Enterprise Committee (SEC). This committee reports to the Economic Development, Enterprise Strategic Policy Committee. The SEC has a strategic approach which includes:

● The SEC will identify specific areas of need and opportunity for social enterprise as an opportunity for co-creation within the council area.

● The SEC will review suitable business sectors for Social Enterprise particularly strong growth sectors that have a developed ecosystem and that have significant scale or potential to grow in Dublin City.

Events

Dublin City Council, through the Economic Development Office, is delighted to support events and initiatives which align with the mission of innovating, collaborating and growing enterprise in Dublin City.

The Economic Development Office supports a number of events for the promotion of city and its entrepreneurial ecosystem. In line with the current government restrictions in response to COVID19, the EDO have amended our current sponsorship guidelines to include remote virtual events.

Sample events sponsored by EDO are:

• Responsible Innovation Summit

This event gathers innovators and leaders of change from diverse background and industries to share learning and ideas around the topic of profit with purpose. The 2020 event has moved online in response to COVID19 and will take place on 20th & 21st October 2020. For further information visit the Business SPIRIT Platform

• Dublin Tech Summit Virtual

Dublin Tech Summit is an event to elevate, integrate and accelerate the tech community. It was scheduled for earlier this year but has moved to a virtual offering in response to COVID19 and will take place on 14th October 2020. With 50 speakers and 5,000 attendees expected online, this will be one of the first fully online events taking place in 2020. For further information visit https://dublin.ie/whats-on/listings/dublin-tech-summit/

• FutureScope

Event engaging business leaders and entrepreneurs to share current trends and future insights that have the potential to transform our cities, business and enterprises

International Relations

Delegations Visit Request here

The International Relations Unit organises and manage a large number of requests from cities, embassies and national governments to host delegations in Dublin to meet with elected representatives, city leaders, officials and stakeholders, to share knowledge and best practice on various aspects of life and business in Dublin; to seek opportunities to partner with Irish companies; build upon many existing ties between countries; enhance mutual trade, tourism, cultural reach and educational benefits. 

Prospective delegations are asked to contact email the Civic Delegations OfficerInternational Relations at [email protected] | 01 222 3192