Mobilising economic co-operation in the Irish Sea space - Share your ideas and explore funding and networking opportunities

As part of the Welsh Government's Agile Cymru programme which aims to deliver cross-border and international economic co-operation across shared interests and in alignment with the Horizon Europe Mission to “Restore our Ocean and Waters” which aims to protect and restore the health of our ocean and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement and blue investments. Researchers at Bangor University's School of Ocean Sciences in collaboration with University College Cork and the Ulster Wildlife Trust are hosting a series of workshops in Belfast, Anglesey, Cork and Cardiff that aim to assess the feasibility of creating an Irish and Celtic Sea hub or ‘Lighthouse’ to facilitate collaborative activities, partnerships and proposals whilst acting as a platform for the development, demonstration and deployment of innovative solutions in the Irish and Celtic Sea space.
Key themes will link each workshop:   marine conservation and restoration, sustainable food from the sea, blue economy, and marine renewable energy. There will be continuity of attendees from key partners to drive forward the conversation and ensure tangible outcomes.

Each of these workshops will:

• Explore the benefits of collaborative area-based approaches.
• Assess support for an Irish and Celtic Sea hub.
• Gain regional insights on challenges and opportunities from speakers active within the Irish and Celtic Sea space.
• Develop ideas for the future Irish and Celtic Sea space during participatory workshops.
• Be a full-day, face-to-face event to encourage attendance from local stakeholders and encourage discussion.

Workshop programme:

Workshop 1 – The Linen Hall, Belfast – 5th December 2023 – co-hosted with Ulster Wildlife Trust.

Workshop 2 – Marine Centre Wales, Anglesey – 31 January 2024 - hosted by Bangor University.
Register here

Workshop 3 - University College Cork, Cork – 19 February 2024 – hosted by University College Cork
Register here

Workshop 4 - The Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff – 20 March 2024 – co-hosted by Bangor University and University College Cork.
Register here