About the European Programme Support Office
Through its work, EPSO aims to enhance Dublin’s services and create a better city for people to live, work and visit.
The European Programme Support Office (EPSO) works within Dublin City Council to build awareness of EU programmes and funding across departments. It also aims to build engagement at an EU level and is the point of contact for organisations that want to partner with Dublin City Council for EU projects.
Why EPSO was set up
Launched in 2021, EPSO is an initiative of Dublin City Council's Economic Development and Enterprise Strategic Policy Committee. Its Working Group on International Relations and European Affairs put in place Dublin City Council’s EU Programme Participation Strategy. EPSO was set up to implement this strategy.
During the 2014-2020 EU Budget Cycle, Dublin City Council successfully took part in 35 EU projects. Through the work of EPSO and its participation strategy, we want to increase this number in the next budget cycle.
What we do
Our main objective is to promote relevant EU programmes within Dublin City Council. EPSO makes staff aware of funding opportunities and helps them prepare applications.
We also work with other organisations – such as third-level institutions, research institutions and industry partners - who want to partner with Dublin City Council on projects.
While we want to increase EU programme participation, we also work hard to ensure that applications for funding align with Dublin City Council’s corporate objectives and serve the interests of Dublin's businesses, residents, workers and visitors. In particular, we seek out opportunities that can facilitate green, smart and inclusive innovations.
Past projects have secured large sums of money for investment in the likes of renewable energy, building retrofits, traffic easing, research and the introduction of cutting edge technologies.
How we do it
EPSO continues to develop and implement the EU Programme Participation Strategy 2021-2027. To date, its work has included recruitment, tender brief development, establishing a framework of European expertise and setting up corporate governance procedures and protocols for the office.
It has also developed a communications strategy to promote funding opportunities to staff and stakeholders. We share opportunities and expertise through events, webinars, workshops, one-to-one sessions, push notifications and our newsletter.
Through our work, we hope to increase Dublin City Council’s involvement with the EU. In the long term, we want to grow Dublin's international reputation through project participation, communications and networking.