Majority of people in Derry and Donegal support single north west economic sub region

A new cross-border LucidTalk poll in the North West of Ireland has revealed the latest views of the local population on future public services such as health, transport and environmental management, for those living and working across the two jurisdictions.

The poll findings were revealed by leading community relations charity Holywell Trust at its Future Relationship Conversations (FRC) conference in Derry on Wednesday (February 25 2026). The survey of people living in West Derry, West Tyrone and Donegal shows that more than two thirds (68%) of respondents think the region should be officially recognised by the UK and Irish Governments as one economic sub-region.

The poll found that:

• 84% believe an integrated cross-border approach to Health Services within a 'North-West Economic sub-region' would be beneficial
• 90% believe an integrated cross-border approach to Transport Infrastructure in the North-West Economic sub-region area would be beneficial
• 84% think there should be a cross-border approach to environmental and ecological management in the ‘North-West Economic sub-region’ area
• 54% believe a harmonisation and simplification of the tax, benefits and pensions systems on both sides of the border, for the ‘North-West Economic sub-region’, would be beneficial. 

Holywell Trust is a charity based in Derry with a vision for a truly inclusive shared future. Through community relations work and reconciliation initiatives, the organisation works to build understanding and foster positive relationships across Northern Ireland's diverse communities.

One of these initiatives is the Future Relationship Conversations project, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund and Holywell core funder the Community Relations Council. Today’s conference marks the successful conclusion of the programme.

 Gerard Deane, Director of Holywell Trust, said: "The Future Relationship Conversations project has created a vital space for honest, respectful dialogue about our shared future. Today's conference and the LucidTalk polling give us valuable insights into how people across the North West view regional co-operation.

“At Holywell Trust, we believe that building a truly inclusive shared future requires us to listen to all voices and perspectives, and this research helps us understand the hopes and concerns of our communities as we navigate these important conversations together."

Chaired by Irish Times journalist Mark Hennessy, the conference brought together experts, academics, commentators and members of the public. Writer and broadcaster Paul Gosling discussed his research examining the North West as an economic region, and Bill White from LucidTalk outlined the opinion polling results carried out in February 2026 considering this research.

READ NEXT: Limavady-born entrepreneur reveals all about trying to score in the Dragons' Den

Paul Gosling said: “The LucidTalk poll shows very strong support for cross border partnerships and integration across a range of public service areas, including healthcare, transport services and ecological management programmes.

“There is a noticeably strong desire amongst those in County Donegal to support community engagement with their neighbours across the border in Northern Ireland. This opinion polling has provided valuable insights into attitudes in this part of the border that policy makers in both jurisdictions may wish to take into consideration in future public service planning.”

Bill White, managing director of LucidTalk, with from left, Sara Duddy, Holywell Trust programme manager, Paul Gosling, writer and researcher, Prof. Colin Harvey, QUB, Shelley Deane, ARINS, Brian Doughery, NW Cultural Partnership, and from right, Gerard Deane, Director of Holywell Trust; and Mark Hennessy, chairperson, Irish Times, at the Future Relationship Conversations held in Holywell Trust. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

Looking more closely at the poll findings, Paul Gosling pointed out notable points of difference. For example, over 60% of those who identified as being brought up in Protestant households in Northern Ireland’s border counties believe the North West should not be recognised as one Economic sub-region, against the overall population surveyed, which is 68% in favour.

However, the same demographic group shows varying degrees of support in specific public service areas, such as 63% stating it would be beneficial if Transport Infrastructure in the 'North-West Economic sub-region' was integrated (against 90% of the total poll).

A section of the audience at the Future Relationship Conversations held in Holywell Trust. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

Paul Gosling concluded: “All of these insights will be important to inform future relationship conversations to reflect the needs and views of the people living and working in the North West of Ireland.”