On Wednesday, 5 March 2025, The Workhouse in Enniskillen became a hub of dynamic dialogue as the John and Pat Hume Foundation and the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) hosted a pivotal workshop focused on advancing balanced regional development.
Building on a series of earlier seminars in Derry and Letterkenny addressing challenges in the North West, the event underscored the urgent need to rebalance investment in jobs, infrastructure, and education across Ireland’s regions—a vision long championed by the late John Hume.
A Legacy of Advocacy
The workshop honoured John Hume’s enduring legacy as a fierce advocate for equitable regional growth during his tenure as MP and MEP. His call for a “national policy of balanced regional development” resonated throughout the discussions, framing the day’s agenda. Attendees included policymakers, academics, and community leaders, all united in addressing disparities between rural regions and urban powerhouses like Dublin and Belfast.
Spotlight on Key Voices
Professor Jonathan Levie, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Regional Development at the University of Galway and Atlantic Futures research lead (RS1 - Comparing entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural regions with small cities and towns) was a central voice throughout the day, stressing the critical need for local regional autonomy.
“Empowering regions to make decisions tailored to their unique needs is not just beneficial—it’s essential for sustainable growth,”
His insights highlighted how decentralising authority could unlock innovation and attract investment to underserved areas across the island
Other speakers and highlights of the day::
- John Daly, Economist at the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, outlined five key measures to counterbalance urban dominance, including prioritising infrastructure budgets for the region and enhancing human capital through R&D and education.
- Kate Clifford of the Rural Community Network underscored the importance of “rural proofing” policies to ensure initiatives address the distinct challenges of countryside communities.
- Ciaran McManus (SW College) and Paul Hannigan (ATU Letterkenny) emphasised collaboration between further education institutions and cross-border partners to bridge skills gaps
Looking Ahead
The workshop yielded a broad consensus on the need for urgent and coordinated efforts to develop improved regional autonomy, whilst looking globally for best practice examples and proven systems that can help regions measure their progress and level up.
We hope the Enniskillen event marked another important milestone in our regional development journey, proving that collaboration across borders and sectors can ignite meaningful change in the North and West of Ireland.
Atlantic Futures is funded by the Higher Education Authority as part of the North South Research Programme.