Sandyford Business District (SBD) is proud to announce its selection as a partner in the ReCUP ITN Network – REinventing Culture in Urban Places, marking our third successful participation in a European Union-funded initiative. Following the submission of the project proposal in March 2024, the URBACT IV Monitoring Committee approved the RECUP Innovation Transfer Network in the framework of the URBACT IV Programme.

Learn more about the URBACT method here

This project, running from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026 (Programme Reference: 1709798743), has a total budget of €550.000, including €382.527,90 in ERDF funding. It builds upon the achievements of Újbuda’s UIA CUP 4 CREATIVITY initiative. By integrating culture and creativity into urban planning, the ReCUP initiative aims to transform urban spaces into vibrant, interconnected communities that drive social and economic growth.

The project, is designed to address the challenges of social isolation and fragmented communities, which were amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ReCUP ITN Network is a collaborative effort among diverse European cities. As a project partner, Sandyford Business District will contribute to the strategic integration of culture and creativity into urban development, shaping positive change both locally and internationally. This initiative further underscores SBD’s commitment to building a sustainable and vibrant community ecosystem, aligning with the EU’s goals for urban development.

Participating Partners

• Lead Partner: Újbuda (Hungary)
• Dubrovnik Development Agency (DURA), Croatia
• Bielsko-Biala Municipality, Poland
• Mancomunidad de l’Horta Nord, Spain
• Amersfoort, Netherlands
• Sandyford Business District (SBD), Ireland

Key Objectives of the ReCUP Project

1. Rebuild Connected Communities: Leverage cultural assets to create sustainable, interconnected urban environments across Europe.
2. Empower Local Partners: Facilitate knowledge exchange and foster collaboration between cities, enriching local expertise.
3. Promote Cultural Ecosystems: Utilize culture and creativity to drive economic, social, and territorial growth.
4. Address Post-Pandemic Challenges: Revitalize local communities and restore social connections impacted by the pandemic.
5. Foster Economic and Social Growth: Enhance residents’ well-being, strengthen social ties, and improve living standards through innovative cultural strategies.

Partners

Working Group Meetings

1st Core Network Meeting and Deep Dive Study Visit Újbuda - Budapest, Hungary.

On November 5-6, 2024, Sandyford Business District’s Project Manager participated in the 1st Core Network Meeting and Deep Dive Study Visit of the URBACT REinventing Culture in Urban Places project, held in Újbuda (Budapest XI) Budapest, Hungary. Led by Máté Ábrahám and Elisa Filippi, the event explored the dynamic intersection of creativity, art, and technology in driving cultural co-creation processes.

This inspiring gathering provided valuable insights into how URBACT principles can be integrated into the REinventing Culture in Urban Places (ReCUP) journey and tailored to our district’s unique context. It was a privilege to connect with our project partners, including Luna Polić Barović, Anne Arendsen, Andreu Garrido, Kinga Czernek, Levente Polyak, Sandra Barth-Oosting, and Anna Szemes, fostering a strong collaborative network.

A highlight of the event was a design-thinking workshop led by Rita Szerencsés, which focused on identifying local challenges, mapping stakeholder needs, and planning actionable next steps. A key takeaway was the importance of forming a dedicated URBACT Local Group to work alongside Sandyford Business District throughout this transformative project.

The journey continues with our next local workshop on December 2, where the SBD team, including Ger Corbett, Vincent Murray, and Niamh Egan, will kickstart stakeholder mapping and explore how to adapt the URBACT method to our district’s goals.

If you live or work in Sandyford and want to learn more or get involved, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out at fernanda@sandyford.ie.

It’s an exciting time as we explore innovative ways to transform urban spaces and strengthen community engagement.

URBACT Insight: Lead Expert and Lead Partner Explore Sandyford Business District

On January 22, a delegation from URBACT, including Lead Partner Mate Abraham from the Municipality of Ujbuda in Budapest, Lead Expert Elisa Filippi, and National URBACT Point of Contact Karl Murphy, visited Sandyford Business District (SBD) as part of the ReCUP ITN Network project. We were also joined by An Leas-Chathaoirleach, Cllr Kazi Ahmed, and Cllr Oisín O’Connor, with An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Jim O’Leary, delivering an opening address via video link.

The visit began with a political leadership meeting with local council representatives, focusing on the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Corporate Plan 2025-2029, community engagement, social inclusion, and the district’s demographic profile. The delegation also explored SBD’s growth potential and challenges, including the need for a community center and efforts to enhance cultural diversity. A key highlight was a tour of the district, including locations such as Beacon South Quarter, Dynamic Space and Naomh Olaf GAA Club, offering valuable insights into the area’s infrastructure. This visit marks the conclusion of the “Adapt” phase of the project, with the next step being the formation of the URBACT Local Group to drive the project forward.

First ULG Meeting

Today, Sandyford Business District hosted its first ULG (Urban Local Group) meeting as part of the exciting URBACT project, Reinventing Culture in Urban Places, where we are proud to be one of the project partners. The aim of this project is to drive innovation and collaboration within urban spaces, connect communities, and our local URBACT group will play a central role in achieving these goals.

The URBACT Local Group (ULG) is an important part of the project, working closely with us on co-designing the project, making collective decisions, and ensuring that the outcomes lead to a sustainable investment and continuity plan after the project’s completion.

The ULG is composed of key stakeholders from various sectors within Sandyford Business District, including:

• Councillor Pierce Dargan, Fine Gael Party
• Councillor Lettie McCartly, Labour Party
• Councillor Oisin O’Connor, Green Party
• John Somers, SBD Board of Director Member and Chairman of Naomh Olaf GAA Club
• Vincent Murray, Operations Manager, SBD
• Leo McBride, CEO of Digital X
• Michelle Duffy, Marketing Manager, Leopardstown Racecourse

The meeting was facilitated by Fernanda Pinto Godoy, SBD EU Project Manager, who guided the discussions and ensured a productive and engaging session. The meeting began with a warm introduction session and an icebreaker, helping everyone get to know each other better. We were then joined by Karl Murphy, the National URBACT point of contact in Ireland, who gave an insightful overview of the URBACT project from a European perspective.

Afterwards, we delved into the specifics of Sandyford Business District, exploring the local context, analysing demographics and personas, and identifying key challenges and goals for the project. We also discussed the project roadmap, expected outcomes, and outlined the next steps for our collaboration.

We are incredibly excited to begin working alongside such a talented and diverse group to create a vibrant, connected community in Sandyford Business District.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey with this impactful European project!