Border Economy: Local Economy

For DTNI there is a need to better understand the work of the social sector across NI and we undertake this mapping exercise as both an opportunity to record and showcase the diverse work of our members and highlight the significant contribution they make to the economic life and social fabric of NI and within our communities of place. It is an opportunity to dialogue with our public officers from across Central and Local Government who are leading on bringing forward new policies and programmes in support of social and economic development and to consider how we work better together to realise our mutual goals.

We are interested in exploring together how to link the ‘micro’ economy (local) with the ‘macro’ economy (regional/national). What does the alternative, and community led economy offer that aligns with work being led by local authorities and cross border bodies and fits within regional economic development plans? What could the Governments in the North and South of Ireland do better to facilitate and work with the alternative and smaller scale dimensions of the economy? What more might cross border bodies undertake to do that would recognise the untapped potential of social economy that will contribute to shared national social and economic outcomes?

Whether we are focussing on the long term NI/ROI economic strategies, or the immediate pressing needs of a particular community, we need always to ask what it is we want our economy to be for – what should it be delivering for our communities? We work to ensure that our people and communities are thriving both financially and in their health and wellbeing; that the business sector is diverse and resilient; that money coming into the area flows well through lots of local supply chains; and the environmental, physical resources of a place are used sustainably.

Our public discussion on the 22nd June is a key opportunity to map  the ‘alternative’ local economic sector – bottom up, community led regeneration, co-operatives and social enterprises that share the objectives of the public and private sector but who sometimes struggle to ‘upscale’ and to integrate what it’s doing with mainstream economic strategy.

The Newry event will run under the theme of 'Border Economy: Local Economy'. It will;

• explore the broad range of activity undertaken by Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations working on both sides of the border,

• consider the capital developments projects they are leading on and what wider opportunities exist for more and better management and ownership of assets

• consider how local economy organisations can be supported to undertake an enhanced role in area regeneration and in stimulating business activity

• look at the role of social investment in catalysing local economy

• consider new and untapped markets

• ask whether there is a need for closer cross border cooperation to better meet local needs in a time of limited resources?

The end product is a dedicated web report on the findings of what's happening in the border region, illustrated with a number of case studies of exemplar projects and blogs. DTNI will work to see the Newry and wider NI mapping exercise incorporated into the findings of the UK study. DTNI will over the coming months invite Voluntary,Community, Social Enterprise, Charitable and Faith organisations to submit information to our members database as we work towards building a more comprehensive picture of our work in local economy across NI.

This event will run from 10.30am concluding by 3.00pm with lunch. This will provide  guests with an opportunity to hear short keynote presentations relating to the mapping exercise and respond to the emerging narrative on alternative local economy in the border region. It will also present you with an opportunity to consider next steps in how we advance local economic activity and connect that to existing and emerging council led and cross border interventions.