Cover graphic for the New Product Development Programme 2026, featuring a portrait of Eddie Shanahan alongside photographs of textiles, crafts, jewellery making and artisan food , with logos for local development and European funding programmes.”

Programme

Create Green New Product Development Programme

Tutor

Eddie Shanahan, specialist in business and product development across the Creative Industries and Artisan speciality Food sectors

Suitable For

Offaly-based SMEs and individuals working across a range of categories, including: Creative Industries, Fashion and Textiles, Craft and Design and Artisan Speciality Food

EOI Deadline

Expression of Interest forms must be completed by 4pm Monday, 21 September 2026.

For Offaly based Creative Industries and Artisan Speciality Food Businesses 

Are you looking to develop a new product, refresh an existing product range, strengthen your brand or identify new market opportunities?

The Create Green Product Development Programme with Eddie Shanahan is a practical, hands-on programme designed to support Offaly-based SMEs and individuals working across the Creative Industries and Artisan speciality food sectors.

Led by renowned Irish business and product development specialist Eddie Shanahan, the programme will guide participants through the key stages of developing a successful product or collection—from initial inspiration and design development through to branding, pricing, presentation and bringing the product to market.

The programme forms part of the wider Create Green initiative and will support businesses to consider sustainability alongside commercial and creative development.

Cover graphic for the New Product Development Programme 2026, featuring a portrait of Eddie Shanahan alongside photographs of textiles, crafts, jewellery making and artisan food , with logos for local development and European funding programmes.”

Detailed Information

The Create Green Business Training Programme provides customised training to meet the specific needs of businesses and individuals working in Offaly’s Creative Industries and Artisan Speciality Food Sectors.  Building on previous Create Green programmes, this initiative aims to support the continued growth of participating businesses while developing a recognised Create Green identity that celebrates and endorses programme graduates.

The aim is to help consumers distinguish businesses that are making genuine and meaningful sustainability efforts from those engaging in greenwashing.

The programme also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—17 global goals agreed by all nations to address issues including poverty, inequality, climate change and the creation of peaceful, just and sustainable societies. The goals aim to be achieved by 2030.

Eddie Shanahan specialises in business and product development across the Creative Industries and Artisan speciality Food sectors

He has developed and delivered business and product development programmes for organisations including Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC), as well as providing mentoring to individual craft and design businesses across a wide range of disciplines.

Eddie also developed the CREATE project with Brown Thomas, identifying and developing Irish design talent with the potential to sell alongside some of the world’s leading luxury labels.  Eddie was Chairperson of the Council of Irish Fashion Designers and member of the Advisory Board to the European Fashion Alliance. He is also a regular contributor on retail, fashion & lifestyle issues in national & international media.

The programme will take a holistic approach to new product and collection development, with a carefully curated programme that leverages sources of inspiration, design & design development, collection development, strong branding, understanding the meaning of value, storytelling, pricing, presentation, customer focus & market segmentation to create desire.

Participants will be encouraged to challenge and refine their ideas through practical exercises, case studies, discussion and constructive feedback from Eddie and fellow participants.

The programme is open to Offaly-based SMEs and individuals working across a range of categories, including: Creative Industries, Fashion and Textiles, Craft and Design and Artisan Speciality Food

The programme is suitable for Offaly based participants at different stages of development and with varying levels of experience.

Whether you are developing your first product, refreshing an existing range or looking to take an established business into new markets, the programme will provide practical tools and insights to support your next stage of development.

The programme will consist of three full-day development sessions, followed by a fourth Presentation Day.

Participants will be given specific projects and development work to complete between sessions, allowing them to apply the learning directly to their own business or product idea.

Proposed dates

Session 1: 10.30am to 4.00pm Wednesday, 7 October 2026

Session 2: 10.30am to 4.00pm Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Session 3: 10.30am to 4.00pm Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Presentation Day: 10.30am to 4.00pm Wednesday, 11 November 2026

Participants are expected to attend All three development sessions and the final Presentation Day.

Fiesta Hall, Kilcormac, County Offaly R42 FK03

By the end of the programme, participants will have developed practical tools and insights to help them:  Develop new or revised products, Strengthen their product or collection offering, Clarify their target customer and market, Communicate the value of their product, Refine their brand and storytelling, Consider pricing and commercial viability, Present their product professionally and Identify opportunities for future growth

Participants will also benefit from case studies, peer learning and constructive critical appraisal from Eddie Shanahan and fellow participants.

Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with the wider Create Green programme, with additional training and supports including:

  • Financial and commercial guidance on the costs and benefits of implementing sustainable actions
  • Sustainable Business Development training
  • Digital Marketing and SEO training
  • Sustainability Reporting
  • Create Green Network support and opportunities

These supports will complement the product development programme and help participants consider how sustainability can be embedded into their wider business strategy.

To express your interest in taking part, please complete the Expression of Interest Form.

Completion of the Expression of Interest Form will begin the application process. Please note that submitting an Expression of Interest does not guarantee a place on the programme. Successful applicants will be notified  after the closing date.   Spaces are limited.

Expression of Interest forms must be completed by 4pm Monday, 21 September 2026. For an Expression of Interest form please follow the link HERE or email info@offalyldc.ie

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