Since March 2025, the author has worked intensively to engage senior stakeholders across the Irish Sea Region to communicate and inform the design of the Irish Sea Rim strategy and collaborative approach. Following submission of this report, and contingent upon initial core staff and operational funding, key Irish Sea Rim personnel will further intensify engagement, with a ‘roadshow’ series of launch events in key cities. Immediate priorities will also be to work with partners across the Irish Sea Rim Investment, Innovation, and Enterprise Zone to identify and support development of initiatives related to the Local Innovation Partnership Fund (Figure 31.1)
Figure 31.1: Irish Sea Rim Immediate and Key Priorities
September 2025 onwards | Work with Connected Places Catapult and key stakeholders to establish the Irish Sea Rim investment and funding model |
September 2025 onwards | Work with UKRI and key regions to identify and support development of Local Innovation Partnership Fund initiatives |
Autumn 2025 | Irish Sea Rim report launch event in Liverpool |
Autumn / Winter 2025 | Irish Sea Rim launch ‘Roadshow’ and stakeholder engagement events in key cities and regions |
Autumn / Winter 2025 | In consultation with key partners and stakeholders, create the medium and long-term strategic and operational plans for the Irish Sea Rim |
Winter 2025 | Work with governmental, regional, and industry partners to identify key Irish Sea Rim contributions to the UK Industrial Strategy |
October 2025 – September 2026 | Map key ecosystems, assets, sectors and partners across the Irish Sea |
October 2025 – September 2026 | CyberWaves project (dependent on fundings) |
Spring 2026 | Start Irish Sea Rim Digital Platform development |
Spring 2026 | Initiate conversations with academic centres, regional ecosystems, funders, and industry partners to establish an Irish Sea Rim Doctoral Training Centre in Maritime and Marine |
Autumn 2026 | Launch the first annual Irish Sea Rim conference in Liverpool |
This timetable is dynamic and subject to adaptation and change, depending on core funding, strategic priorities, and opportunities. The first phase will focus on establishing the core management and operational teams and as well as governance and reporting. This period will also include the immediate next steps outlined above. Following the launch event in Autumn 2025, key partnerships in and across all six countries which make up the Irish Sea Rim will be developed further, and funding opportunities and avenues identified throughout the next 12 months to establish the sustainable funding model for the Irish Sea Rim outlined in Section 28.
NW Off-Shore Energy Alliance, Image credit: M-SPARC/NW Offshore Energy Alliance