Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard welcomed a European delegation to Galway City last week (3-4 February 2026) as part of NITIES — Night‑Time Economy Strategies: Interregional approach - an EU‑funded Interreg Europe project supporting cities to develop sustainable, inclusive and well‑managed night‑time economies. Galway City is one of nine Night-Time Economy pilot locations in Ireland, with a focus on building on and maintaining Galway City’s vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive night-time experience for residents, workers, and visitors.
This study visit brought together nine project partners across seven European cities, with a 20‑person delegation. Delegates from Warsaw, Vilnius, Zagreb, Tallinn, Sarajavo, Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region, Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO) came to Galway City to learn from local experience — our successes, challenges, good practices and areas for development—through presentations, site visits and peer‑learning discussions.
Funded by Interreg Europe, the NITIES project fosters integrated governance and cooperation between public authorities and stakeholders to enhance quality of life after dark. The project runs over the period 01.05.2025–31.07.2029 and focuses on improving seven policy instruments across partner regions, supported by €1.44 million European Union funding.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard said, “Hosting our NITIES partners in Galway underscores our commitment to a safe, vibrant and inclusive city after dark. The exchange of ideas here—grounded in culture, community and collaboration—will strengthen our own approach and contribute to better night‑time economies across Europe.”
Galway City Council was joined by local stakeholders whose time and expertise made the programme authentic and impactful. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport also participated in the partner visit, bringing a national perspective to the conversation.
The NITIES partnership brings together organisations from Croatia, Poland, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Italy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, coordinated by the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO). Galway’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to collaborative approaches to the night‑time economy.