Sperrins to benefit from €4.9 million cross-border rural digital hub project

Sinn Féin Councillor Fergal Leonard says that a €4.9 million PEACEPLUS funding for cross-border SMART Village Network Project will bring particular benefit to rural communities in the Sperrin and Strabane areas.

Councillor Leonard said: “A lot of work has gone in to developing this project and with Council having now signed off on SEUPB letter of offer, I am delighted that it will now begin to be rolled out.

“The Smart Villages Network Project (SVNP) is a €4.9m cross-border, PEACEPLUS-funded initiative, led by Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council, aimed at transforming 12 rural community facilities into digital hubs. Running until June 2029, the project boosts digital innovation, green energy, and social inclusion to strengthen the North West City Region.

"The Six hubs in the Derry/Strabane area will be at: Glenelly Development Trust, (Plumbridge) Learmount Resource Centre (Park village) Diamond Centre (Claudy), Churchtown Community Association (Castlederg), the Newtownstewart Centre 2000 and Eglinton Community Limited.  The six Donegal hubs will be at:  Inishowen Innovation (Buncrana), gTEIC Gaoth Dobhair, gTEIC Carrigart, The Base, (Stranorlar – Ballybofey) gTeic (Termon) and Greencastle Community Centre,

"The Project will include Digital/Green Technologies: Implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) systems, 3D printers, 5G connectivity, energy monitoring, and green retrofits at the 12 hubs

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"The hubs will also offer bespoke business mentoring, local community training, digital innovation events, community activation programs and opportunities for e-medical, distance learning and e-agriculture."