Centre for Cross Border Cooperation

31/10/2026

Catch up on the Centre's work and projects during October with our latest e-zine - you'll find it at https://crossborder.ie/border-zine/

The Centre has a special event for anyone interested in cross-border cooperation and building stronger connections across these islands - voluntary and community groups, cultural and heritage, research, academia, policymaking and public representatives - on Tuesday 3 November in Dublin.

You can register at https://crossborder.ie/events/register-now-sustaining-the-new-common-charter-examples-issues-and-opportunities/

Find out more about our research platform, where we publish articles and profiles of the Centre's Research Associates, at https://crossborder.ie/research-platform/

30/10/2026

The ‘S2@25’ project which measured the impact of the North-South implementation bodies established under Strand 2 of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement has concluded.

The project was led by the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, with Atlantic Technological University and the eight North South organisations – Foras na Gaeilge, InterTradeIreland, Loughs Agency, Safefood, SEUPB, Tourism Ireland, the Ulster-Scots Agency and Waterways Ireland.

It identified and shared examples of best practice of cross-border and all-island operations which will improve strategic cross-border cooperation and collaboration over the next 25 years, as well as developing a training programme aimed at officials and others involved in North-South cooperation and governance.

Gina McIntyre, SEUPB Chief Executive, added: “The North-South Implementation Bodies have demonstrated the value of collaborative working to address shared challenges and opportunities across the island. The S2@25 project has provided an important opportunity to reflect on the successes, lessons learned and best practice that have emerged over that period. By capturing this knowledge and developing practical resources for those involved in cross-border cooperation, the project will inform and strengthen future collaboration.”

Read more: https://www.seupb.eu/latest/news/s225-project-celebrates-25-years-north-south-implementation-bodies

30/10/2026

29/10/2026

Research: Rural Death Literacy Survey

Shamira McKenna, a Researcher in the School of Psychology at Queen's University Belfast, wants to recruit 632 people from across the island of Ireland (316 in each region) to participate in an online survey exploring death literacy.

Her research focuses on developing a public health approach to improving end-of-life care in rural and remote communities.

Participants need to be 18 years or older and live in a rural or remote area on the island of Ireland.

Shamira's presented her PhD research at September's All Island Institute of Palliative Care Practice Conference which was organised by the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care - https://www.facebook.com/AIIHPC

To take part in the survey, visit https://run.pavlovia.org/pavlovia/survey-2026.2.0/?surveyId=7d749d1e-5837-4234-bca1-22886568be93

For further information on the project, visit https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/shamira-mckenna-2/

Rural Community Network ~ Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network ~ Irish Rural Link ~ Department of Health NI ~ HSE Ireland ~ Public Health Agency

28/10/2026

'Sustaining the New Common Charter': Join us on Tuesday 3 November in the Seanad Chamber, Leinster House, Dublin

We're looking forward to welcoming representatives of community and voluntary groups for a packed programme featuring top speakers.

Guests will hear about cross-border projects, successes and overcoming challenges, the shared environment and art.

Register at https://crossborder.ie/events/register-now-sustaining-the-new-common-charter-examples-issues-and-opportunities/

28/10/2026

The Poetry Ireland Partnership Scheme now welcomes applications from poetry organisers, curators and programmers for support towards poetry readings, workshops and activities taking place between 1st January to 30th June 2027.

Our submission window is now open and closes on Sunday 15th November at 5pm.

Apply: https://form.jotform.com/262844089419367

Poetry Ireland / Éigse Éireann is proudly funded by The Arts Council of Ireland and through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Funding.

28/10/2026

27/10/2026

In advance of next month's UK-EU Summit, Anthony Soares' Briefing Paper considers what the ongoing re-set of relations between the UK Government and the European Union might mean for cross-border cooperation on the island of Ireland and for the Windsor Framework.

The paper proposes a review of the extent to which the Windsor Framework is maintaining the necessary conditions for North-South cooperation based on the 2017 mapping exercise.

* Could an improving relationship between London and Brussels provide a more secure context for North-South cooperation?

* Could agreements between the two parties mean that certain elements of the Windsor Framework are superseded?

* Did the Windsor Framework mark the beginning of the EU-UK re-set?

Read the paper at https://crossborder.ie/reports/north-south-cooperation-the-windsor-framework-and-the-re-set-of-eu-uk-relations/

Image: the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise train, courtesy of Translink

27/10/2026

It was wonderful to welcome visitors from Ireland, the UK, America and Australia to the Townhall last week, visiting with the Hear Us Roar event at Belle Isle. It was great to see people coming together to make new connections and strengthen friendships.
Thank you to everyone who came along, I hope you enjoyed your time here and experienced the warm hospitality and beautiful surroundings that make our district so special.

24/10/2026

You're invited!

We are inviting representatives of community and voluntary groups to our celebratory cross-border event on Tuesday 3 November in the Seanad Chamber, Leinster House, Dublin.

On the programme will be cross-border leaders who will discuss projects, successes and overcoming challenges, the need to protect and enhance the shared environment, and art and culture.

We will hear from

🔹 Patrick Haughey (Director for North-South Policy, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)

🔹 Dr Aoife Ní Lochlainn (Head of Policy and Advocacy, Irish Environmental Network)

🔹 Tara Farrell (Chief Executive, Longford Women's Link)

🔹 Kate Clifford (Director, Rural Community Network)

🔹 Dr Ciara Brennan (Environmental Justice Network Ireland)

🔹 Farhad O'Neill (Artist)

🔹 Senator Mark Daly (Cathaoirleach, Seanad Éireann)

Register at https://crossborder.ie/events/register-now-sustaining-the-new-common-charter-examples-issues-and-opportunities/

The Centre for Cross Border Cooperation is grateful to the funding received from the Shared Island Civic Society Fund for this project.

Irish Foreign Ministry ~ Houses of the Oireachtas