Photograph of Bank Buildings, Belfast. Joint category 1 winners in 2024. Hall Black Douglas Architects.

Photograph of McKee Barracks, Dublin. Joint category 1 winners in 2024. Taylor Mc Carney Architects.

Photograph of Riverstown House, Co Kildare. Category 1 winner in 2022. Lotts Architecture.

Photograph of Bank Buildings, Belfast. Joint category 1 winners in 2024. Hall Black Douglas Architects.

The Irish Georgian Society's 2026 Architectural Conservation and Original Drawing Awards close on 30 April at 12pm.

Held every two years, the awards are open to Irish architects & architectural practices, building surveyors, contractors, engineers & other professionals.

www.igs.ie/education/aw...

Carrickmore: Amateur stage stars vying for glory in rural village The All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals have taken centre stage over the past 10 days in Carrickmore, County Tyrone.

"We have a fabulous stage which you will not get any better in Ireland. The acoustics are brilliant... It's wonderful."

Thousands of visitors across the island have descended on Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, over the past 10 days for the All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Quote from Dr John Crowe, Lecturer at Technological University Dublin, alongside his photo. The text is white on a green background and reads - I had a great experience on the course, the interactive online format made it genuinely engaging, and hearing the perspectives of other participants was particularly rewarding.

Quote from Dr John Crowe, Lecturer at Technological University Dublin. The text is white on a green background and reads - It connects closely to my own work, where understanding different viewpoints is essential to addressing shared challenges.

Quote from Dr John Crowe, Lecturer at Technological University Dublin. The text is white on a green background and reads - The programme provided a practical framework for developing and delivering cross-border initiatives, from partnership design through to implementation and impact evaluation.

John Crowe (Technological University Dublin) has completed our 6-week course.

"I had a great experience on the course, the interactive online format made it genuinely engaging, and hearing the perspectives of other participants was particularly rewarding," he said.

crossborder.ie/what-we-do/p...

Shared Island Civic Society Fund 2026

The fund promotes practical North-South cooperation between civic society organisations and is managed by the Irish Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Application process: www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Press release: www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

Hospitality: NI businesses losing out to 'significantly cheaper' bills across the border Hospitality business owners in Northern Ireland are calling for VAT to be lowered in line with the Republic of Ireland.

NI hospitality businesses are losing customers to the ROI because bills "can be significantly cheaper" due to lower taxes across the border, a hotel owner has said.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

UK VAT is charged at 20% compared to 13.5% in the ROI - a gap that is set to widen in the summer.

Promotional flyer with white text on a light blue background, alongside the CCBC and North South ESTEEM logos, that reads - We're hiring! Researcher

Join our team!

Apply for the North South ESTEEM #Researcher role if you have
• experience in research or policy analysis
• excellent analytical, writing & reporting skills
• experience of stakeholders' engagement

Salary: £46,700

Applications close: 20 April

jobs.charityjobsni.com/jobs/4058328...

Image from the OECD web page promoting 'The Rural Principles Series: Rural Communication – Measuring Communication Effectiveness' webinar.

Rural Community Network’s Policy & Research Manager will be speaking at an OECD CFE workshop on Rural Communication today at 2pm (UK time).

The session will explore how governments can better engage with rural communities - and how messages are received and understood.

www.oecd.org/en/events/20...

Image of a microphone in front of a blurred event background with the words - Cross-border insurance research.

Insurance research 📢

We want to know whether community organisations, local authorities and businesses have been encountering issues in insuring their cross-border activities.

Are you happy with your insurance?
Any issues with claims?
Cross-border restrictions?

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Photograph of three people at the launch of the scholarship - From left: General John de Chastelain, Cheryl Urban (Assistant Deputy Minister, Pan-geographic Affairs, Global Affairs Canada) and John Concannon (Ambassador of Ireland to Canada).

Photograph of 12 people with Guest of Honour (sixth from the left) General John de Chastelain (Retired) and Mrs. MaryAnn de Chastelain; Ambassador Concannon and Mrs. Mary Concannon; and representatives from Global Affairs Canada, the Ireland–Canada University Foundation and the Canada Ireland Foundation.

Would you like 3-6 weeks at a #Canadian #university or 3-6 weeks at a university on the island of #Ireland?

The De Chastelain #Scholarship Programme, supported by the Governments of Ireland and Canada, has awards of CAD $16,500/€10,275/£9,300 to support research visits.

www.icuf.ie/scholarships...

Promotional flyer on the Change Makers Pilot Programme - Circular Innovation for Community Resilience.

Circular Innovation for Community Resilience pilot

The Networx25 pilot is looking for organisations in 'hard-to-reach' communities in NI and the southern border counties to promote cross-border collaboration, peacebuilding and social enterprise development.

communityfinanceireland.com/networx25/

Safefood is inviting tenders for three #research projects:

• #Food #safety that works - co-designing practical tools for people with #intellectual #disabilities
• Health aspects of meal delivery #apps
• #Social #Supermarket programme

Applications close on 15 May

www.safefood.net/professional...

Photograph of an activity organised by Minority Ethnic Support Armagh.

Photograph of seven people at the launch of the Catchment Action for Local Management (CALM) project in Carlingford.

Photograph of three people during the recent SCoTENS research webinar. Professor Noel Purdy (Stranmillis University College, Belfast presented the John Coolahan Award to Dr Elaine Mooney (Atlantic Technological University/St Angela’s College) and Mairead Davidson (Ulster University).

Photograph of four people in a clinical setting - they are Dr Kieran Clarke (Commercial Lead, CASPDx), Prof Glen Doherty (Consultant Gastroenterologist, St Vincent’s University Hospital), Dr Paul Leonard (Development Lead, Dublin City University) and, seated, Dr Emma Creagh (Associate Professor in Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin and Scientific Lead, CASPDx).

New month... new subscription

Why not subscribe to the Centre's monthly Border-Zine?

The newsletter has the latest meetings, funding, research, scholarships, partnerships and projects - plus a round up of what the team is watching, listening to and reading.

Sign up at crossborder.ie/border-zine/

Promotional flyer from Dr Cherry at Ulster University.

Youth Voices Matter - opinions wanted 📢

Are you aged 14-24 and living in Northern Ireland or the border region?

Dr Jessica Cherry, at @ulsteruni.bsky.social, wants to hear from you to help shape youth policy and support services.

The survey will take 5-7 minutes to complete.

linktr.ee/j.cherry

White text on a pink background that reads - Applications now open. Applications for the 2026 North/South Postgraduate Scholarships are open.

The North/South Postgraduate Scholarships

Universities Ireland has five #scholarships - each worth €25,000 - for #Master’s Degree and #PhD students.

The deadline for applications is 4pm on 14 May 2026. Successful applicants will be informed in June.

universitiesireland.ie/northsouth-p...

Lives Entwined: Fite Fuaite Fite Fuaite – meaning interwoven – is a seven-minute ensemble piece exploring themes of prehistory, history and

"Lives Entwined: Fite Fuaite" is a breathtaking new 7-minute piece reflecting intertwined identities, shared heritage and ongoing collaboration - featuring Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Rakhi Singh, Simmi Singh, Brian Dillon, Frank Tate and Lorcan Byrne.

soundcloud.com/british-coun...

Researcher at Centre for Cross Border Cooperation

#Researcher vacancy

Do you have
• Honours Degree or equivalent AND 3 years' experience OR 5 years' experience
• Experience of conducting research
• Excellent analytical, writing & reporting skills
• Experience of working with external stakeholders.

jobs.charityjobsni.com/jobs/4058328...

#vacancy

Listen to Stephen Morrison, Policy Lead with @housingrightsni.bsky.social and Gareth Redmond, Research and Policy Officer with Threshold chat with Susanne Rogers about their joint all-island study of the private rental sector in #Ireland - socialjusticeireland.podbean.com/e/224-sji-in...

The All-Ireland #Heritage #Skills Programme is aimed at those working across NI and ROI with experience in craft areas - such as stonemasonry, carpentry and joinery, bricklaying, blacksmithing, plastering, thatching, roofing & tiling, painting and decorating.

www.heritagecouncil.ie/our-work-wit...

Photograph of attendees at the cross-border networking meeting in Rural Community Network, Cookstown, to discuss the issues faced by community and voluntary groups.

Photograph of attendees representing groups in Armagh, Ballymena, Cookstown, Derry, Donegal, Dublin, Hilltown and Sligo.

Road fuel costs, Change Maker & #SharedIsland funding, succession planning and the importance of policy for community & voluntary organisations were discussed at Tuesday's cross-border networking meeting.

Plus volunteers' capacity & the green agenda.

Email projects@crossborder.ie to get involved.

Image of Shane Kelly, Manager of BORMAC, with white text on a green background that reads - "The course provided practical insights, clear frameworks, and actionable tools for engaging effectively in cross-border initiatives allowing for a broader understanding of collaboration structures, communication strategies, and increased confidence in building partnerships across the region."

White text in a speech bubble on a green background that reads - "Delivered in a flexible online format, the course proved to be an accessible and highly effective way of learning."

White text in a speech bubble on a green background that reads - "It is an excellent option for organisations and individuals seeking to develop cross-border expertise."

Our next 6-week online course to help anyone get started with a cross-border project, funding application, event or activity starts on Tuesday 28 April.

Shane Kelly, Manager of the Border Region Manufacturing Cluster (BORMAC), has completed the course.

Register at crossborder.ie/what-we-do/p...

rainfall water coming down a drain pipe, filling a bucket with a spout, which is filling up a smaller bucket on the ground

Work with nature by harvesting rainwater! 🌧️ Install rain barrels or create swales to mimic nature’s way of conserving water. Capture rain, reduce runoff, and hydrate your garden sustainably. It’s a simple step to lower irrigation needs and keep your plants thriving! #Permaculture #Sustainability

Invitation to the opening of the exhibition - Thursday 19 March '26 at 7.30pm, Drinks Reception Served, Exhibition continues until 9 May 2026.

Digital poster with the logos of Monaghan County Council, ABC Council and The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon that reads - SHIFT Reflections of Unknowing, Patrick Conyngham, 13.03.26-09.05.26, Gallery.

©Exultant, mixed media on canvas, 244x 183cm, 2025.

Patrick Conyngham's art exhibition, 'Shift - Reflections of Unknowing', opens at The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, tomorrow night.

He was born in County Louth, and now lives and works in County Monaghan as an artist, poet and writer.

The exhibition is free and continues until 9 May.

Statement between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin Joint communique after the UK-Ireland Summit 2026 in Cork

UK-Ireland Summit

The "agreement to engage on reaching a decision in principle this year on a bilateral Ireland-UK approach to address concerns arising from hybrid cross-border working and to consider other aspects of the UK-Ireland Double Taxation Convention which may require updating" is welcome.

European border regions are often described as the ‘laboratories’ of EU integration, yet their governance remains highly complex. 🌍

The ESPON CROSSGOV project provides the territorial evidence to understand exactly how they operate. 🧵👇

The New Common Charter, AS & A Level exams, apprenticeships, degrees and universitiesireland.ie/northsouth-p... were discussed with statutory, voluntary and community sectors' delegates at last week's Women of the World Conference.

Thanks to MESA for organising - www.mesarmagh.com

#scholarships

© Graham Oliver / Getty Images Photograph of two people in Dublin.

Global Perceptions UK-Ireland research focus group on trust, institutions, education, arts and culture, values and government for anyone aged 18-34 years:

🗓️ Monday 30 March
🕙 10am-4.30pm
📌 Royal Irish Academy, Dublin

Organised by the British Council Ireland.

www.britishcouncil.ie/programmes/s...

Illustration of two hands holding up a card that reads - We're hiring!

New week... new job?

We're hiring an Engagement Officer for the #PEACEPLUS-funded Border People FLOW project:

• full-time, 3-year contract
• excellent retirement benefits plan
• hybrid working arrangements
• excellent holiday entitlement

crossborder.ie/news/engagem...

@seupb.bsky.social

Photograph of 14 people who attended the online meeting.

Members of the Ad‑Hoc Group for North‑South & East‑West Cooperation have discussed the opportunities and challenges facing organisations working on a cross‑border basis - including the Windsor Framework, the New Common Charter, and the Bridge2Brussels initiative.

crossborder.ie/news/25525-2/

COMMUNITY AWARDS 2026 - OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS!

We’re excited to announce the launch of the 2026 Belfast Harbour Community Awards, with £110,000 in grants available to support grassroots groups across Belfast and beyond.

Visit bit.ly/475qIzy for details.

Applications close Friday, April 3rd

Belfast Harbour Commissioners and the Port of Cork Company have signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a strategic partnership to accelerate delivery of offshore wind energy and boost cruise tourism.

Visit: https://bit.ly/4ln6BmB