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The Centre for Cross Border Cooperation has secured funding for a new initiative aimed at supporting cross-border workers and employers to better access opportunities and skills from both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland.
The Border People FLOW – Fostering Labour Openness and Workforce mobility project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Set to begin in February 2026, the initiative will focus on enhancing workers' access to cross-border information and support, strengthening the cross-border capacity of advice services and support organisations, and driving policy and systems change to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving employment landscape.
The project will concentrate on effecting strategic policy change by generating a bank of evidence on the challenges and opportunities in the region.
Anthony Soares, Director of the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, said Border People FLOW represents a significant step forward in creating a more connected and resilient all-island labour market. "By generating evidence on challenges and opportunities, and learning from other border regions, we aim to influence strategic policy change that benefits workers, employers, and public systems alike," he said.
The initiative draws upon the expertise of project partners Community Advice Newry, Mourne and Down, North Connacht and Ulster Citizens Information Service and Advice NI. Kellie Murray from Community Advice Newry, Mourne and Down emphasised that Border People FLOW isn't just about cross-border employment. "It's about strengthening communities. When workers and employers can access fair opportunities it creates stability for families, supports local economies, and fosters a sense of shared prosperity in the region," she said.
Sharon Dillon, Regional Manager at North Connacht and Ulster Citizens Information Service, highlighted the unique nature of cross-border employment. "Cross-border employment creates unique opportunities and complexities. Border People FLOW will help us provide tailored support and advocate for systems that work for everyone in the region," she said.
From a policy standpoint, Kevin Higgins of Advice NI explained the value of examining data from a cross-border perspective. "By examining data from each jurisdiction with a cross-border perspective, we can uncover patterns and gaps that are often invisible when viewed in isolation," he said.
Border People FLOW is one of nine successful projects funded through the programme. SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said the projects demonstrate the importance of collaboration in key areas that will benefit citizens. "From a fire and rescue cross-border framework to tackling social exclusion and poverty at current levels, these projects demonstrate how we can find cross-border solutions to challenges that exist on both sides of the border," she said.
