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DS3: Digital Services, Support & Spaces

What is DS3 and who is involved?

DS3 is a major PEACEPLUS-funded project building more connected smart towns and villages using digital inclusion, innovation, community connectivity and cross‑border collaboration.

The project is led by ICBAN (Irish Central Border Area Network), with partners in Mid Ulster District Council, Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Cavan County Council, Leitrim County Council, Sligo County Council, Monaghan County Council, Donegal County Council, Western Development Commission and delivery by Southern Regional College and Ulster University.

DS3 focuses on rural settlements, helping small to medium enterprises (SMEs), community groups and residents gain access to mentoring, training and cutting‑edge technologies.

Opportunities through DS3: Digital Services, Support & Spaces

DS3 will be delivered three interconnected parts with opportunities for business, communities and individuals:

Part 1. Learning (digital mentoring)

Part 1 provides digital champions, skills mentoring and workshops for SMEs, community groups and individuals.

Opportunities include:

  • 1-1 mentoring with a digital champion.

  • Businesses advice & guidance with a digital mentor.

  • 25 action-learning workshops.

This package will cover areas such as cloud transition, e-commerce, digital marketing, analytics, cyber security, video/podcast skills and more.

Learning opportunities are now available: sign up here.

Part 2. Interventions (mobile labs & digital platform)

Part 2 brings cutting-edge technology directly into rural communities, removing barriers to access.

Opportunities include:

Mobile Fab Lab
Explore prototype development, digital fabrication and creative design.

  • 3D printers, scanners, virtual reality, robotics, laser cutting, CNC (computer numerical control) machines etc.

Mobile Multimedia Lab
Access cutting edge multimedia tools that help bring ideas to life.

  • Podcasting, video creation, 360° multimedia, digital storytelling etc.

Digital Community Platform
A Community‑led design supporting “smart town” transformation.

  • A shared digital platform for 14 towns/villages in the cross-border region.

Interventions will begin in mid-2027 - contact us using the details below for more information. 

​Part 3. Legacy (smart place frameworks)

Part 3 focuses on lasting digital transformation strategies for the project region.

Opportunities include:

  • A co-design process through in-depth community engagement.

  • Creation of three Action-Oriented Smart Place Frameworks to guide future digital levelling‑up.

Legacy will begin in late 2027 - contact us using the details below for more information. 

Contact Details

For more information on the DS3: Digital Services, Support & Spaces project in the Mid Ulster area contact:

Stephen McNally (Digital Development Project Officer)
Email: Stephen.McNally@midulstercouncil.org
Telephone: 07385 947 247

The DS3 Project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Image credit: Freepix (https://www.freepik.com/)

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