PEACEPLUS DS³

This is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

DS³ is funded under PEACEPLUS Theme 2.4 Smart Towns & Villages. The project offers free digital mentoring, skills development and community-focused digital inclusion activities across seven council areas:

• Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council
• Mid Ulster District Council
• Cavan County Council
• Donegal County Council
• Leitrim County Council
• Monaghan County Council
• Sligo County Council

Participants can access:

• A digital skills needs assessment with a digital champion or mentor.
• Digital skills workshops covering topics such as:

1. E-commerce and online sales
2. Social media and digital marketing
3. Cybersecurity and GDPR
4. AI tools and automation
5. Video and podcast production
6. Cloud tools and collaboration
7. Plus more areas to be made available.

• One to one mentoring with a digital specialist.
• Opportunities for cross-border learning and networking.

This programme will be of interest to SMEs, micro businesses, community/voluntary groups and individuals located in rural towns and villages with populations under 18,000, in the above listed council areas.

Participants can express interest using our Expression of Interest form.

Alongside SRC’s delivery of Work Package 1: Digital Learning & Mentoring, DS³ also includes two major cross-border digital innovation components:

Work Package 2 – Mobile Digital Labs (led by Ulster University & Leitrim County Council)

Two mobile labs will travel across council areas offering:

• Digital fabrication technologies
• Digital multimedia tools

These labs support hands-on digital experimentation, complementing SRC’s digital learning workshops.

Alongside this, a new digital platform will help 14 towns and villages become smarter, more connected and future-ready by supporting new ideas, services, and digital collaboration.

The project partners are:

• Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council
• Mid Ulster District Council
• Cavan County Council
• Donegal County Council
• Leitrim County Council
• Monaghan County Council
• Sligo County Council
• Ulster University
• Western Development Commission
• Irish Central Border Area Network
• Southern Regional College