Ireland’s Connected Hubs model goes international with expansion to France and Finland

Ireland’s Connected Hubs model is breaking new ground in Europe, as regions in Finland and France begin rolling out pilot projects based directly on the Irish system. Through the CODIL Pilot Action, Ireland’s experience is now informing regional policy, digital infrastructure, and community hub strategy beyond its borders. Western Development Commission (WDC) oversees the Connected Hubs platform and network on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the WDC said the international adoption of the Connected Hubs model highlights Ireland’s growing influence in shaping the future of work:

“The Connected Hubs initiative is proof that big ideas tested in the west of Ireland can scale internationally. What started as a regional innovation to support rural communities is now informing digital and enterprise policy across Europe. This international expansion shows how the WDC’s approach to pilot, prove and then scale can deliver real impact, not just for the west but for regions across the EU seeking to build smarter, more connected communities.”

In recent months, Liam Horan and Leah Fairman, both WDC, represented Ireland at in-person engagements with regional stakeholders in South Ostrobothnia, Finland, and Laval, France, respectively. Their visits included site tours of coworking hubs, local SMEs, academic institutions and community innovation spaces in the context of how Ireland’s experience with remote work hubs can be tailored for local contexts.

CODIL is a European project that aims to improve regional innovation policy instruments to better support the emerging distributed-team innovation model and its key component – highly skilled mobile knowledge workers. As the nature of innovation has fundamentally changed, policy instruments that support innovation must also change if they are to effectively support this changed post-COVID innovation ecosystem. Údarás na Gaeltachta are among the lead partners in the project.

The CODIL project enables Finnish and French partners to trial the core functionalities of the Connected Hubs platform, including the hub directory, booking engine and event calendar. Through a ‘sandbox’ environment, these partners will simulate their own hub entries and explore the platform’s community management features. This phase will also include knowledge-sharing, applying lessons from Ireland’s approach to hub onboarding, community building and visibility.

“These international engagements are a real vote of confidence in the Irish model. What began as a regional response to the needs of rural communities has grown into something with relevance far beyond our shores. It’s a reminder that local innovation when backed with the right support can lead the way in rethinking how we live and work,” added Stephen Carolan Head of Connected Hubs and Digital Innovation at the WDC.

During his presentation in Seinäjoki, Liam Horan introduced the Connected Hubs project, from its inception within the Western Development Commission to becoming Ireland’s national remote working infrastructure. He outlined the impact of hub networks on regional enterprise, inclusion and climate goals, and discussed the roadmap for future platform developments.

Looking ahead, delegations from Finland, France and Scotland will attend the fourth annual National Hub Summit in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway on the 13th of November. They will join Irish and international speakers to discuss the evolving role of hubs in economic development, climate action and digital inclusion.

This international interest reinforces the value of Connected Hubs as a leading European good practice and strengthens Ireland’s reputation as a frontrunner in innovative and inclusive remote work infrastructure.

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