Author: Dev User

Atlantic Technological University (ATU), in partnership with Ulster University, North West Regional College, Donegal Education and Training Board, and the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, have officially launched the North South ESTEEM Project – Education, Skills & Training: Empowering Economic Mobility. This landmark three-year project – supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) – is designed to remove long-standing barriers to cross-border student and employment skills mobility across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Despite geographical proximity and shared economic interests, cross-border student mobility remains low. In addition, challenges exist in employment mobility, where enterprises report cross-border recruitment difficulties with particular challenges in the healthcare, apprenticeships, and technology sectors.

At its heart, North South ESTEEM is about opportunity. It promises to give students clear, accessible information on cross-border study options and to tackle the systemic issues that have impeded cross-border mobility. For skilled workers, it will address accreditation gaps and propose reforms to licensing and regulation, making it easier to work across jurisdictions.

The North South ESTEEM project will directly tackle these issues by:

• Breaking down information silos
• Identifying and addressing regulatory and accreditation barriers
• Supporting learners, workers, employers, and educators
• Creating sustainable, evidence-based policy solutions
• Building a long-term research and innovation capacity for cross-border mobility

The project brings together a powerful consortium of education providers and policy influencers, supported by 12 associate partners who have the capacity to inform the research and assist in implementing the recommendations from the research.

This collaboration will ensure that the project’s outputs will be practical, scalable, and aligned with policy priorities on both sides of the border. The project will be significant in providing a pathway to a North South education and employment skills environment where cross-border education and skills mobility will be simpler, fairer, and rich with opportunity.

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers TD said: “I am delighted that the North South Esteem project has been funded under the PEACEPLUS programme. North South Esteem brings together experienced project partners from across the island, sharing their expertise in research, education, and skills to support cross-border mobility.

“Through this strategic cross-border collaboration, North South Esteem will create opportunities that benefit students, workers, and employers, and promote economic growth in both jurisdictions.”

Minister of Finance John O’Dowd MLA said: “I am pleased to welcome the launch of the North South ESTEEM project. This initiative represents a strong example of collaboration between organisations across our Island to address the key issues of cross border student and employment skills mobility. I commend all partners involved for their commitment to delivering practical change that will deliver benefit to our citizens and economy.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “Today’s event sees the launch of one of the nine projects that have received a total of €19 million in PEACEPLUS funding under the Strategic Planning and Engagement Programme. Together, all of these projects will strengthen cross-border cooperation in areas that matter deeply to citizens, including emergency planning, healthcare, the environment, community development, education and skills.

“The North South ESTEEM project is about enabling people to move more easily between education and employment systems on both sides of the border. It will provide clear, accessible information for students considering cross-border study options. It will examine the socio-economic barriers that prevent learners from taking up opportunities. This project truly reflects the values of cooperation, opportunity and shared progress that underpin the PEACEPLUS Programme.”

PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

The North South ESTEEM project by combining research, pilot interventions, and policy development, will deliver lasting improvements to education and employment mobility across the island. It will support economic mobility across the island with increased education and skills mobility. The project outcomes will be of great benefit to those living closest to the border in the PEACEPLUS programme area which includes Northern Ireland and the six border counties in Ireland.

Photo caption: At the launch of the North South ESTEEM Project at ATU in Donegal: L-R Dr Brendan Jennings ATU Chief Officer Research, Innovation and Engagement, David Lynch Department of Finance Northern Ireland, Gina McIntyre SEUPB Chief Executive,  Dr Orla Flynn ATU President, and Paul Hannigan VP with responsibility for Cross Border Activities at ATU.  

UNESCO designation expands to include Donegal as leaders commit to widening lifelong learning opportunities across the region.

Community leaders, educators and civic representatives gathered at Ulster University’s Derry~Londonderry campus on Wednesday evening, March 4, to mark the relaunch of the North West Learning City Region, a major milestone in cross-border collaboration and lifelong learning.

The move builds on the existing Derry City and Strabane Learning City designation, part of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), and reflects the strong educational, cultural and economic links across the North West.

The initiative is led by the North West Tertiary Education Cluster – Ulster University, Atlantic Technological University, North West Regional College and Donegal Education and Training Board – in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council.

Through the expanded designation, partners aim to strengthen cross-border pathways in education and skills, widen participation in lifelong learning, and support innovation and creativity across communities.

The relaunch coincided with the North West Lifelong Learning Festival, held on 4–5 March, which featured more than 40 free events across the region exploring topics including arts and culture, digital skills, business innovation, sustainability and wellbeing.

A keynote lecture, Unlocking Creativity in the North West, was delivered by Professor Declan Keeney, Co-Founder and CEO of Studio Ulster Ltd and Professor of Screen Technologies and Innovation at Ulster University.

Professor Malachy Ó Néill, Director of Regional Engagement at Ulster University, said:

“Ulster University is committed to being a key partner in the educational, cultural and social life of our communities.

This milestone marks a significant step forward for cross-border collaboration and embodies the core aim of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster – to enhance learning pathways and create inclusive opportunities for individuals and communities across the North West.”

“The newly expanded North West Learning City Region underscores our shared dedication to promoting lifelong learning for all, supporting personal development, social inclusion, economic opportunity and community wellbeing throughout the region.”  

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, said:

“I am delighted to welcome this significant milestone, which marks the next chapter in our region’s journey, building on the strong foundations laid by the Derry City and Strabane Learning City initiative and our longstanding cross-border strategic partnerships.

“In an ever-evolving world, the ability to continuously learn, upskill, reskill, and adapt to the changing needs of industry and education is essential. By empowering our citizens with these opportunities, we not only enhance individual potential but also strengthen our regional economy, enabling it to grow, innovate, and thrive.”

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Paul Canning, said the expansion reflects the close connections across the region:

“The inclusion of Donegal in the newly named North West Learning City Region is more than a symbolic step. It is a powerful statement about who we are.

Ours is a region defined not by borders, but by relationships – by shared educational, cultural and community ties that have long connected Derry, Strabane and Donegal.”

Paul Hannigan, Vice President for Cross-Border Engagement at Atlantic Technological University, said:

“Today’s relaunch of the North West Learning City Region is a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved through genuine cross-border collaboration.”

Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of North West Regional College, added:

“By working together across the border, we can create clear, flexible pathways that help people of all ages to learn, upskill and progress.”

Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal Education and Training Board, said:

“Donegal ETB is proud to be part of this strengthened cross border partnership, which speaks in a very real way to our strategic objectives as an organisation aiming to improve the life chances of the people of Donegal.

“Lifelong learning transforms lives, supports vibrant communities, and fuels regional prosperity.”