An exciting opportunity for businesses and communities in the Central Border Region to enhance their digital skills has been awarded funding of €3.27 million.

The DS³ Project has been supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) under the Smart Towns and Villages Investment Area for a strategic investment in digital services, digital supports, and digital spaces to modernise, grow and future-proof challenged towns and villages in the area known as the Central Border Region. The project will enhance regional regeneration, through increasing the competitiveness of participating businesses and the confidence of those in our communities to use the latest technologies.

The project activities include: the rollout of a digital skills mentor programme for small businesses and members of the general public: two mobile digital hubs will be developed, one with a fabrication and manufacturing focus, the other in multi-media communications and these will be supported by a series of focused workshops on digital technologies being held in venues across the border region; .a series of digital platforms will enable 14 towns and villages to promote events, facilities and services and for local businesses to market their products and services; digital audits will be completed for each of the Council areas involved and there will also be three detailed action plans for areas to advance as ‘smart places’. The Council areas in the Central Border Region which will benefit from the project includes Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon, Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Mid Ulster, Monaghan, and Sligo.

ICBAN is the Lead Partner on the project, with partners Cavan, Leitrim, Mid Ulster and Sligo Councils, Southern Regional College and Ulster University, and four associate partners: Armagh City Banbridge & Craigavon, Donegal and Monaghan Councils and the Western Development Commission.

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “Promoting socio-economic inclusion is crucial within the PEACEPLUS programme and our Smart Towns and Villages investment area is designed to target and address specific needs using modern technology.

“PEACEPLUS will support the creation of jointly developed solutions for Smart Towns and Villages, to incorporate digital hubs, which will enable remote working and ICT-themed social innovation approaches to developing new models of delivery for key services, including health and education.

“This will provide greater access to and awareness of telecommunications, with an area-based approach taken to enable communities to maximise technology to improve social and economic conditions in their areas.”

Councillor Eugene McConnell, ICBAN Chair said, “The DS³ Project is a unique and ambitious new approach using cross-border collaboration and co-operation, to help create more connected and sustainable communities through the adoption of ICT. The project seeks to address lower level of skills and engagement with ICT solutions within rural communities, and to foster a culture of innovation and skills development by the business sector, civic society, and individuals”.