East Border Region is delighted to announce €6,122,966 funding for the PEACEPLUS Mini-Digi Hub Project
The East Border Region local authority led cross border group has been successful in securing just over €6 million investment to fund the Mini-Digi Hub Project.
This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) under Investment Area 2.4 Smart Towns and Villages.
The Mini Digi Hubs initiative, aims to address the digital divide and catalyse economic growth, inclusivity, and balanced regional development. The project's central objective is to revitalise the East Border Region area by transforming underutilised public buildings into vibrant digital hubs, each with a unique thematic focus designed to meet the specific needs of their local communities and to leave a lasting legacy for the Programme area.
Project partners include Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT), Monaghan County Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Meath County Council, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council.
The Mini Digi Hubs project is set to transform the region by upgrading 5 underutilised public buildings into hubs of digital innovation and collaboration. Providing a Mobile Digital Lab to act as a roving hub that brings access to communities, schools and business. Providing access to advanced technologies for Citizens and Businesses in rural areas. Offering digital skills training and specialised masterclasses in rural communities. Encouraging cross-border collaboration to pool resources and expertise. Assisting businesses in the adoption of digital technologies to stimulate growth in emerging sectors. Ensuring uptake and up-scaling by council and Business to create an advanced regional digital ecosystem.
Aidan Browne, Head of Innovation & Business Development, Dundalk Institute of Technology said:
The PEACEPLUS funding will provide a huge boost to our region and facilitate cross-border engagement, supporting people in rural communities to have increased access to digital technologies and skills helping improve economic and social conditions. The increased availability of digital hubs and the creation of a mobile digital lab will be transformative for collaborative and innovative approaches to social innovation and remote working opportunities.
The Chairman of East Border Region, Cllr Paddy Meade stated
“EBR are absolutely delighted to be Lead Partner on this innovative cross border project. It will act as a catalyst to revitalise a number of rural towns and villages in the border region and provide vital services to our citizens”
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
