Border Animator: A Capacity-Building Programme for the Irish Central Border Area Network
During Summer 2020, the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICRLD) delivered a programme of capacity building and animation to the ICBAN Management Board members and Senior Council Officials. The objective of this programme, which was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ‘Reconciliation Fund’ was to enhance the Board’s skills in effectively addressing the region’s critical challenges such as sustainability, climate adaptation, Brexit, and the public health pandemic through strategic and collaborative responses.
The three-module programme was
co-designed by ICLRD with the ICBAN Executive, and representatives from the
Board of Management. Due to restrictions
on gatherings and meetings resulting from COVID-19, the programme was delivered
online over a five week period in June and July 2020. The sessions were delivered using a mix of
group sessions, seminars, workshops, discussions with guest speakers, and
digital interactive tools.
The programme commenced with an
initial introductory session, designed and delivered by ICBAN, on ‘The
Principles of Cross-Border Co-operation’ in late May. This was then followed by
the ICLRD programme covering the following themes:
- Module 1: Cross-Border Cooperation: The ICBAN Management Board of
Management as Leaders and Facilitators of Change;
- Module 2: Maximising lessons from other regions, including border areas;
and
- Module 3: From Case-Making to Place-Making.
The programme led to a wide-ranging and upbeat assessment of the ICBAN region, drawing on the various inputs in respect of collaborative spatial planning, good governance and place-making. It resulted in decisions being taken to:
- prioritise the completion of the ‘Framework for Regional Priorities
2022-2028’, and in so doing, placing a strong emphasis on territorial assets
and potentiality – particularly the regional and rural dimensions of the ICBAN
region;
- identify a number of priority catalyst projects for the region that
would not only contribute to the sustainable development of the ICBAN region
but would significantly enhance the role played by the region in contributing
to the all-island economy;
- engage more strategically with the Economic Development Officers in
local government; and consider an appropriate model for having combined
officer/elected official meetings on a regular basis – incl. via working
groups; and
- consider the role of a ‘General Assembly’ type structure for advancing
the region’s economic, social, environmental and cultural agenda with a wider
range of stakeholders.
The ‘Framework of Regional Priorities for the Central Border Region, 2021-2028’ which is being significantly informed by this programme will shape the future direction and delivery of key ambitions and initiatives for the Central Border Region into the future.
