Mayor of Derry and Strabane welcomes €4.9M PEACEPLUS investment in digital and social innovation

The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, today welcomed the approval of a €4.9m PEACEPLUS investment in the Smart Villages Network Project (SVNP), a transformative cross-border initiative. This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, (SEUPB).

The project will promote digital innovation, sustainability, and social inclusion across the North West City Region bringing together key regional partners including Derry City and Strabane District Council, who are leading on the project, along with Donegal County Council, Ulster University, North West Regional College, ERNACT and 12 rural community facilities across Derry, Strabane and Donegal.

The project is funded under the Smart Towns and Villages Investment Area, which focuses on promoting the socioeconomic inclusion of marginalised communities, low-income households, and disadvantaged groups including people with special needs through integrated digital and social innovation initiatives.

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “The Smart Towns and Villages investment area is a vital part of the PEACEPLUS Programme. These projects demonstrate how digital innovation can be harnessed to promote inclusion, regenerate communities and improve access to essential services. We are proud to support initiatives that empower rural and marginalised communities to thrive in a digital age and we look forward to seeing how these three innovative projects progress in the years to come.”

In Derry and Strabane, SVNP will support six community centres to develop new digital hub facilities through minor capital works and comprehensive programme delivery. The participating centres include: Churchtown Community Association, Claudy Rural Development, Eglinton Community Limited, Glenelly Development Trust, Learmount Community Development Group and Newtownstewart Centre 2000.

These new hubs will become focal points for digital access, training, enterprise support, and community engagement, helping local people to connect, learn, and innovate in a digital-first and green economy.

Welcoming the investment, Mayor McHugh said: “I’m delighted that DCSD Council is leading this ambitious cross-border partnership which will connect and empower our rural communities delivering meaningful and lasting change for people right across Derry, Strabane and Donegal.

“I look forward to seeing these new and enhanced digital hubs become vibrant centres of innovation, places where people can learn new skills, develop new ideas, and build new opportunities. Together, we are building a more connected, sustainable, and inclusive North West City Region.”

The SVNP will also invest in six digital hubs in Donegal, including: Inishowen Innovation, The BASE, Greencastle Community Development, gTEIC Carrigart, gTEIC Gaoth Dobhair, and gTEIC An Tearmainn.

All SVNP hubs will benefit from a comprehensive package of targeted investments to accelerate digital and green transformation. This will include the introduction of cutting-edge smart demonstration technologies - from Internet of Things (IoT) systems and 3D printers to 5G connectivity, energy monitoring solutions, and more - along with green retrofits to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. Further supports will encompass tailored marketing campaigns, staff training, and the hosting of digital innovation events to engage local communities, schools, and enterprises.

The investment will also provide for bespoke business mentoring programmes, and community activation initiatives designed to build participation, creativity, and inclusive growth.

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In response to the announcement, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Paul Canning remarked: “As Cathaoirleach I welcome the approval of funding to the six existing digital hubs across Donegal, enabling their further development which will offer support to local businesses in accessing both digital connectivity of the highest quality, in addition to being part of local business ecosystems and networks.”

Running until June 2029 SVNP will act as a bridge between rural and urban areas across the region, it will contribute to peacebuilding, shared prosperity, and social inclusion which are key objectives of the PEACEPLUS programme.