Powering Research & Innovation for Advanced Manufacturing (PRISM)

A €7.6 Million Cross-Border Initiative Supporting SME Innovation and Decarbonisation

About the Project

The Powering Research & Innovation for Advanced Manufacturing (PRISM) Project is a transformative €7.6 million initiative designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing new and innovative products and processes, while addressing the complex decarbonisation challenges facing traditionally hard-to-abate manufacturing sectors.

Supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, PRISM brings together a strategic cross-border consortium to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon manufacturing economy.

Project Objectives 

PRISM aims to:  

• Accelerate the adoption of low-carbon technologies
• Support 24 SMEs across the region
• Enable the development of innovative products and processes
• Drive economic growth and environmental improvement
• Strengthen cross-border research and industry collaboration  

PRISM supports SMEs across three key manufacturing clusters:  

1. Mineral Processing
2. Polymer Processing and Composites
3. Agrifood  

By leveraging cutting-edge research, technical expertise, cross sector and industry collaboration, the project will deliver measurable impact across these sectors.

NWRC – Leading the Agrifood Cluster  

Within the PRISM project, North West Regional College (NWRC) will lead the Agrifood Manufacturing Cluster, working in close collaboration with Atlantic Technological University (ATU). Together, NWRC and ATU will support 8 cross-border agrifood SMEs located across the North West region, providing targeted innovation and decarbonisation support tailored to the specific challenges of the agrifood sector.  

NWRC will coordinate cluster activity within the region, delivering hands-on assistance to participating businesses in areas such as:  

• Low-carbon process innovation
• Energy efficiency and emissions reduction
• Sustainable product development
• Digitalisation and smart manufacturing solutions
• Supply chain sustainability and waste reduction  

Through applied research, technical expertise, and knowledge transfer, NWRC will help these SMEs develop practical solutions that enhance competitiveness while progressing toward Net Zero objectives. 

A Cross-Border Partnership Approach  

Through its partnership with ATU, NWRC will enable:  

• Engagement with cutting-edge research and specialist infrastructure
• Structured cross-border knowledge sharing
• Applied innovation aligned to industry needs
• Dedicated mentoring and technical expertise
• This partnership model strengthens the agrifood manufacturing ecosystem across the North West, enabling SMEs to innovate, decarbonise, and grow sustainably.

By leading the Agrifood Cluster within PRISM, NWRC is reinforcing its role as a key driver of regional innovation, skills development, and sustainable manufacturing transformation.

Follow our journey as we drive innovation and decarbonisation and deliver measurable change for agrifood SMEs. Check back regularly for newsletters, progress reports, and partner case studies.