Shared Island conference to examine how stronger cluster development can support economic competitiveness across the island

Pictured at the launch of the Shared Island Cluster Leadership Conference 2027 are (L to R): Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager for Technology and Services, Enterprise Ireland; Barbara Orr, Director of Enterprise Development, InterTradeIreland; and Linda Jamison, Head of Collaboration & Clusters, Invest NI. Cluster leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from across the island of Ireland are being invited to register for the Conference, a two-day international event focused on unlocking the potential of clusters to accelerate innovation, strengthen competitiveness and drive economic growth.

Cluster leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from across the island of Ireland are being invited to register for the Shared Island Cluster Leadership Conference 2027, a two-day international event focused on unlocking the potential of clusters to accelerate innovation, strengthen competitiveness and drive economic growth.

Taking place at the Ballymascanlon Hotel, Dundalk, on 2-3 February 2027, the conference will bring together leading international experts, policymakers and cluster practitioners under the theme "Unlocking the Potential of Clusters: From Ambition to Impact", exploring how effective cluster leadership, collaboration and policy can work together to strengthen cluster organisations and maximise their impact.

The conference will draw on the extensive experience developed across Europe, where more than 1,250 cluster organisations connect approximately 155,000 members, almost 79% of which are SMEs. By sharing the approaches and practical learning behind this activity, the event will explore how strong, sustainable cluster ecosystems can be developed across the island of Ireland.

The conference will also showcase key findings and policy recommendations from the Interreg Europe Accelerate GDT project. It will bring together European cluster experts to share their knowledge, experience and insights on how cluster policy can support the green and digital transitions with practitioners across the island of Ireland.

Delivered through the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme's Clusters and Networks initiative, the conference is a collaborative partnership between InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, funded by the Government of Ireland's Shared Island Fund. It will provide a unique opportunity for delegates to gain practical insights, learn from leading European experts, cluster managers and economic development agencies, and connect with peers facing similar challenges and opportunities across the cluster development ecosystem for future all-island collaboration.

Speakers

Organisers have today announced that the conference programme will feature keynote speakers including Ásta Kristín Sigurjónsdóttir, CEO of the Iceland Tourism Cluster and Annie Renders, Head of the Cluster Policy Unit at Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship, alongside a range of nationally and internationally acclaimed experts in cluster development, innovation, regional economic growth and collaboration.

Throughout the two-day programme, delegates will hear case studies from successful cluster initiatives, participate in strategic discussions on the future of cluster development, and explore practical approaches to strengthening collaboration between industry, academia, government and research organisations.

Barbara Orr, Director of Enterprise Development at InterTradeIreland, said:

"Clusters have an increasingly important role to play in strengthening innovation, competitiveness and sustainable economic growth across the island of Ireland. By bringing together businesses, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders, they create the connections that help ideas develop into opportunities and opportunities develop into economic impact.

"This conference is designed to give delegates access to leading international expertise, practical learning and valuable networking opportunities. We are delighted to welcome international experts and speakers whose experience and insights will help attendees explore new approaches to cluster leadership, collaboration and innovation. Whether participants are managing established clusters or developing new initiatives, the conference will provide practical takeaways that can be applied within their own organisations and networks."

Linda Jamison, Head of Collaboration and Clusters at Invest Northern Ireland said:

"Clusters bring businesses together with the right partners, expertise and ideas to help them innovate, become more competitive and pursue new opportunities. For companies in Northern Ireland, these connections can be valuable in building capability to support sustainable growth.

"This conference gives cluster leaders and participants an opportunity to learn from international experience, share practical approaches and strengthen relationships across the island. We are pleased to work with InterTradeIreland and Enterprise Ireland through the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme to help develop more connected and effective clusters that deliver real value for businesses."

Anne Lanigan, Divisional Manager, Local Enterprise and Regions at Enterprise Ireland said:

"Through the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, Enterprise Ireland is working with InterTradeIreland and Invest Northern Ireland to strengthen meaningful sector engagement across the island.

This conference is an opportunity for cluster managers and their members to learn from some of Europe's most successful cluster organisations on how to maximise cluster impact and build all-island connections that will help their sectors compete on a global stage. I'd encourage anyone involved in leading or developing a cluster to register."

During the conference, delegates will have opportunities to participate in keynote sessions, panel discussions, networking events and collaborative workshops designed to strengthen connections and support future collaboration.

Registration is now open. Those interested are encouraged to secure their place early as demand is expected to be high and places are limited.

For more information and registration details, visit www.intertradeireland.com.

Ends

Notes to Editors

For more information contact:
Fiachradh McDermott, Carr Communications
00353 87 6557070
fmcdermott@carrcommunications.ie

About InterTradeIreland

InterTradeIreland accelerates trade and economic growth by connecting business to new opportunities across the island of Ireland. Since opening its doors in 1999, the organisation has supported the growth of cross-border trade from €2 billion to €17 billion, empowering companies to scale, innovate, and succeed — with many now competing successfully on the global stage.

Established under Strand 2 of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, the organisation is driven by the principle of value through collaboration. Funded by both the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department for the Economy, InterTradeIreland is uniquely positioned to lead all-island economic collaboration to drive trade, boost competitiveness and productivity and accelerate enterprise growth to maximise economic opportunities and prosperity.

To date it has directly assisted more than 65,000 businesses across the island, with thousands more SMEs benefitting from its specialist advice, as well as generating more than €2.2 bn / £1.9 billion in business development value.

About Invest Northern Ireland

Invest Northern Ireland's ambition is to create wealth for the whole community; we will drive a regionally balanced, productive, sustainable and prosperous Northern Ireland economy by unlocking the potential of businesses across the region.

We work with businesses to accelerate their growth by increasing external sales and innovation, creating good quality jobs, boosting productivity and skills, growing inward investment and reducing carbon emissions. We also attract high-quality inward investment and support sectors that offer high returns for the local economy.

We work closely with our stakeholders to maximise the benefits of City and Growth Deal projects which will bolster our economic performance.

About Enterprise Ireland

Irish government's enterprise development agency. We invest in and support the development of Irish-owned companies on their journey to achieving greater scale and to become global leaders in their field. This provides a platform for strong economic growth, and creating and sustaining jobs in communities around the country.Our teams in Ireland and across our network of 42 international offices help Irish companies to develop high-growth strategies and to enter new markets with innovative and sustainable solutions.

About the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme

In February 2024, the Government of Ireland announced an allocation of €30m from the Shared Island Fund towards the establishment of a new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. The scheme will support the delivery of new programmes and supports for businesses across the island of Ireland in the areas of Women's Entrepreneurship, Clusters and Networks and Sustainable Enterprise.

The Shared Island Enterprise Scheme marks a new phase in all-island economic collaboration and business growth and the first time that three of the main economic development agencies on the island of Ireland have worked together on a shared scheme of this size.

About Clusters

Clusters bring together businesses, research institutions and other key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge and expertise, and create opportunities for innovation and growth. By connecting businesses with the wider innovation ecosystem, clusters can help build capability, improve productivity and competitiveness, and support economic growth. Research cited in the European Panorama of Clusters and Industrial Change also indicates that clusters contain 77% more high-growth firms and that start-ups grow 141% faster in clusters than on their own. The development of clusters is recognised as a priority in the Programmes for Government in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, reflecting their important role in supporting business innovation, strengthening regional economies and driving sustainable economic growth across the island.

About AccelerateGDT

AccelerateGDT is an Interreg Europe-funded project focused on strengthening cluster policies to accelerate Europe's Green and Digital Transition. By bringing together policymakers, cluster organisations and regional development bodies from across Europe, the project seeks to enhance SME competitiveness, build regional resilience and support sustainable economic growth through more effective cluster-led innovation and collaboration.