Digital hubs and skills support planned for 10 rural communities in Mid and East Antrim
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon is pictured at the launch of the Connexus project funded by PEACEPLUS with Gobhnait Swift, Libraries Development and Community Policy at Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive at SEUPB; Karalynn McCutcheon, Head of Investment Branch at Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Ryan Black, Director of Growth & Major Projects at Mid & East Antrim Borough Council.
Thursday 01 October 2026
Ten rural communities in Mid and East Antrim are to receive support through a £2.12 million cross-border project aimed at reducing isolation and improving access to digital services, skills and employment opportunities.
Connexus will support 22 communities across the borough and counties Sligo and Leitrim over three years, combining community-led digital hubs with improvements to local facilities and programmes supporting rural life.
The €2.46 million (£2.12 million) PEACEPLUS investment covers the partnership across all three council areas. Almost 4,000 participants are expected to take part in its activities.
Digital hubs to improve access to services
The programme includes 22 community-led ICT Connection Hubs, intended to help people make better use of digital connectivity and technology.
Alongside those hubs, support will focus on building local organisations’ skills and confidence, helping enterprises grow and improving health and wellbeing.
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said:
“Through 22 community-led ICT Connection Hubs, alongside practical programmes supporting capacity building, enterprise growth and health and wellbeing, Connexus will help connect people with services, skills and new opportunities.”
Support for local facilities and rural life
Mid and East Antrim’s 10 participating communities will be joined by six in County Sligo and six in County Leitrim. The partnership brings together the three councils, community organisations, voluntary groups and social enterprises.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, said:
“A significant element of Connexus will be the use of digital technology to improve connectivity, support learning and provide new opportunities for innovation. Connexus can help reduce social isolation and improve access to services, skills development and employment opportunities.
“Communities will be encouraged to embrace digital solutions that can enhance service delivery, strengthen community engagement and support local economic growth. Through this investment there will also be support for community infrastructure improvements to help local groups create more sustainable and accessible facilities.
“Alongside capital investment, communities will benefit from a wide range of programmes focused on tourism, health and wellbeing, volunteering and employment support.”
Cross-border work to tackle isolation
Connexus also aims to strengthen relationships between rural communities and support the long-term sustainability of local organisations, allowing groups facing similar challenges to share knowledge and experience.
Gina McIntyre, chief executive of the Special EU Programmes Body, which manages PEACEPLUS, said:
“Supporting rural communities to overcome digital exclusion and isolation is vital to building stronger, more connected regions.”
Leitrim County Council’s Cathaoirleach, Councillor Mary Bohan, said:
“This programme is about more than investment; it is about strengthening relationships, sharing knowledge and building the capacity of local groups to shape their own future.”
Details of participating communities still to be set out
PEACEPLUS supports peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and Ireland’s border counties. It is co-funded by the European Union, the UK Government, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive.
The launch information does not name the 10 participating Mid and East Antrim communities or explain how residents and local groups can get involved. Those details will be needed to show where the hubs will operate and how people can access the planned support.
