Members of Atlantic Futures recently joined colleagues and partners at the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation’s 26th Annual Conference in Dundalk. The event brought together voices from across the island to share experiences, ideas, and solutions on how we can build a stronger, more connected all-island labour market.
Atlantic Futures in Action
We were proud to see our colleague Professor Kristel Miller (Ulster University) take part in the panel on Employee Perspectives and Considerations to Cross Border Mobility. Chaired by Caitríona Mullan, our Strategic Advisory Group Chair, this session offered valuable insights into the realities of working across borders. Kristel highlighted the role of both EPIC Futures NI and Atlantic Futures in supporting collaboration and opportunity for workers and employers alike.
Supporting at the event was our Project Coordinator, Collette Cassidy, who helped represent Atlantic Futures and connect with many of the organisations and individuals driving this important conversation forward.
Shared Commitment to Collaboration
We were also pleased to see EPIC Futures NI included as a sponsor of the conference, alongside the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC) — of which both Ulster University and Atlantic Technological University are proud partners. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to ensuring people across the island have access to opportunities to grow and thrive.
Pathways Forward
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation from InterTradeIreland, who set out clear and practical pathways to help shape the future of cross-border work. These included:
- Defining cross-border workers and employers
- Providing accessible guidance and information
- Piloting all-island skills and apprenticeship solutions
- Creating toolkits for cross-border remote working
- Establishing standing forums to support ongoing cooperation
These are not just policy ideas — they are real, actionable steps that can make life and work easier for people and businesses operating across the border every day.
Looking Ahead
The conference left us encouraged about the progress already being made, and inspired by the energy in the room for tackling the challenges that remain. For Atlantic Futures, it was a reminder of the importance of working in partnership, of building connections across borders, and of ensuring that research and collaboration deliver meaningful change on the ground.
A huge thank you to the Centre for Cross Border Studies for hosting such an insightful and inspiring event. We look forward to building on these conversations in the months ahead.
Atlantic Futures, is a Strand III project funded under the North South Research Programme - a collaborative scheme funded through the Government’s Shared Island Fund. It is being administered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.