Rural remote working in Northern Ireland - from policy to practice

Over the past year, RCN, as a partner in the UK wide 5G New Thinking project has been animating engagement and discussion on the need for better digital connectivity in rural communities, highlighting issues around digital exclusion and facilitating consideration of the benefits that better connectivity can bring.

Evolution of working patterns, accelerated due to the pandemic have highlighted the benefits and possibilities of remote and hybrid working. Policy makers are paying more attention and rural communities in Northern Ireland are starting to take action to develop remote working hubs.

In certain regards, the implementation of policy on remote working is at a different stage in the Republic of Ireland, with initiatives being taken forward through the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), and research and practical implementation through the Western Development Commission (WDC).

Operated by The National Hub Network, a Government of Ireland initiative, ConnectedHubs.ie has been established to provide a vehicle for individual hubs to come together under a shared identity to maximise the economic opportunity of remote working. There are now around 300 hubs listed.

Please join us at this Rural Community Network and Centre for Cross Border Studies joint event where we will learn and consider

• Lessons from the work in developing remote working hubs in Ireland

• Policy around development of remote working hubs in Northern Ireland

• Actions needed to better support rural communities take next steps

We will hear from officials and practitioners north and south and also engage in small group discussion on the actions needed to further support and develop rural remote working here.

Register here and further details will be provided in advance.