DTNI, in partnership with Carmichael, hosted the Collaboration & Transformation conference on Tuesday 25th February – an inspiring event bringing together community, voluntary, and social enterprise stakeholders from across Ireland. Held at the Draíocht Theatre in Dublin, the conference explored shared challenges and opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
The event showcased the culmination of the wider Shared Island Civic Society fund programme, supported by the Irish Department for Foreign Affairs. This project facilitated cross-border learning visits, connecting participants with innovative community-led initiatives across the North and South of Ireland. Insights from these exchanges have directly contributed to the newly published Social Economy Shared Island Report, which outlines practical steps to strengthen the sector through policy change, funding reform, and legislative support.
Thought-Provoking Discussion & Exchange
The event was compèred by Belfast based actress Nuala McKeever and there was a guest performance by the weird and wonderful Armagh Rhymers – A traditional music group inspired by the culture of the Wren Boys and the Mummers, evoking a sense of the ancient house visiting traditions of Ireland, where the kitchen floor became the stage.
Keynote Speaker: Søren Hermansen – A Vision for Community-Led Renewable Energy
The keynote speech was delivered by Søren Hermansen, a pioneer in community-led renewable energy. Søren, who has led the transformation of Samsø, Denmark, into the world’s first 100% renewable energy island, shared invaluable lessons on community ownership of energy infrastructure.
His talk highlighted the importance of strategic energy planning that is both locally driven and democratically structured. He emphasised that the success of Samsø’s renewable transition was not just about technology but about people, place, and participation. Key lessons from his presentation included:
- Local ownership is key – Samsø’s transition was built on a model where residents became stakeholders in the renewable energy projects, fostering local buy-in and long-term sustainability.
- Integrated planning – A successful energy strategy must align housing, infrastructure, land use, and environmental goals to create a balanced, future-proofed system.
- Flexibility and long-term vision – Sustainable change happens when communities, government, and industry work together over the long term, prioritising local needs while addressing global challenges like climate change.
- Economic and social benefits – Beyond reducing emissions, Samsø’s transition has created jobs, attracted young families, and revitalised rural life.
DTNI’s ongoing advocacy for community ownership legislation in Northern Ireland aligns closely with Søren’s vision, reinforcing the need for policy reform that enables communities to take ownership of local renewable energy solutions.
Engaging Panel Discussion & Action-Oriented Breakout Sessions
A panel discussion, facilitated by Nuala McKeever, featured key figures in community wealth building, cross-border cooperation, and social economics:
- Brendan Murtagh (QUB)
- Deiric Ó Broin (DCU)
- Dr Anthony Soares (Centre for Cross Border Cooperation)
- Pauline Smith (Development Trusts Association Scotland)
- Roisin Markham (Irish Doughnut Economics Network)
- Staffan Lindqvist (International Federation of Settlements & Neighbourhood Centers)
Following this, participants engaged in four focused breakout sessions, where Shared Island Project participants shared their expertise and identified key recommendations for statutory bodies to enhance cross-border collaboration.
Breakout Session Speakers:
1. Supporting and Empowering Rural Communities
- Aoibeann Walsh (Rural Support)
- Catherine Kenneally (Embrace Farm)
- Liam Lynch (Ecovision)
2. Building a Sustainable Social Economy
- John Kearns (Partas)
- Fintan McAliskey (STEP)
- Claire Doherty (Carntogher Community Association)
3. Regeneration through Community Arts
- Emer McGowan (Draíocht)
- Alison Gordon (Open House Festival)
4. Harnessing the Power and Influence of Our Island’s Global Community
- Tura Arutura (Africa House)
- Dr David Nyaluka (UCC)
Each session explored practical steps for growth, funding, and collaboration across both jurisdictions.
Closing remarks were led by Suzie Cahn, Shared Island Project Director at The Wheel and Director of collaborative cross border initiative iCommnunity.
A Heartfelt Thank You
DTNI extends special thanks to all who contributed to the success of the conference:
- The Shared Island Project participants, whose expertise and insights shaped the discussions.
- Teresa McCabe and the staff at Draíocht, for their warm hospitality and excellent support.
- Research analysts—Deiric Ó Broin, Brendan Murtagh, and Andrew Grounds—for their contributions to the evidence base.
- Project coordinators Deirdre Morrissey and Derek O’Reilly, and all DTNI and Carmichael staff members, for their hard work in bringing this event together.
Next Steps
This conference reaffirmed the potential for community-led collaboration to drive economic and social transformation across Ireland. The findings from this event, along with insights gathered through cross-border learning visits, have directly shaped the Shared Island Social Economy Report, which presents clear recommendations for policy changes, funding structures, and legislative support.