This conference brought together community, academic, policy and social enterprise stakeholders from across Ireland to explore shared challenges and opportunities for cross-border collaboration. It also showcased outcomes from the Shared Island Civic Society fund programme, supported by the Irish Department for Foreign Affairs. This initiative facilitated cross-border learning visits, connecting participants with innovative community-led initiatives throughout Ireland. QCAP played an active role in this collaboration by supporting the research component and participating in a learning visit to East Belfast, where participants toured key community anchor organisations and social enterprises, providing valuable insights into successful community wealth building models more broadly.

 

 

 

Social Economy Shared Island Report

A key highlight was the presentation of the newly published "Social Economy Shared Island Report," which outlines practical steps to strengthen the sector through policy change, funding reform, and legislative support. Prof. Brendan Murtagh and QCAP Deputy Director Andrew Grounds, contributed this report as part of QCAP’s policy advocacy work on Social Economy and Community Wealth Building Advocacy, helping to establish a robust evidence base for future policy development. It was also supported by Deiric Ó Broin from Dublin City University to ensure an all-island analysis of the social economy sector.

 

 

 

Policy-Focused Discussions

At the conference, an expert panel discussion featured key figures including Prof. Brendan Murtagh (QUB), Prof. Deiric Ó Broin (DCU), Dr Anthony Soares (Centre for Cross Border Cooperation), and others. Participants then engaged in focused breakout sessions addressing:

1. Building a Sustainable Social Economy
2. Regeneration through Community Arts
3. Harnessing the Power of Our Island's Global Community
4. Supporting and Empowering Rural Communities

Each session explored practical policy steps for growth, funding, and cross-border collaboration.

 

 

Policy Implications and Next Steps

This conference reaffirmed the potential for community-led collaboration to drive economic and social transformation across Ireland. The findings, along with insights gathered through cross-border learning visits, have directly shaped policy recommendations in the Shared Island Social Economy Report. The report presents clear recommendations for:

• Policy changes to support social enterprises and the sector more broadly
• Reformed funding structures and alternative investment mechanisms to enhance sustainability
• Legislative support to strengthen the social economy sector and build a more progressive institutional environment.

As QCAP continues to engage in this growing body of work, it recognises the value of cross-border knowledge sharing in developing effective policy frameworks that can build community wealth and resilience across both policy jurisdictions. QCAP’s direct involvement in supporting learning visits to East Belfast's community anchor organisations and social enterprises has also strengthened these cross-border relationships and provided practical examples of community wealth building in action.

 

 

For more information, access the complete "A Social Economy for a Shared Island Report" here.