Good practice:

Donegal Remote Working Strategy

The Remote Working Strategy for Donegal aims to promote County Donegal as an ideal and superb location for remote workers by emphasizing the wide range of alternative work spaces available throughout the County, the supports available to remote workers, the talent pool and the infrastructure and connectivity available across the County.
Under the vision statement of “Donegal a superb location of choice for remote working”, the strategy is structured under 5 areas of intervention:
1. Workspaces: to give response to the need for accessible and affordable co-working spaces including digital hubs and other flexible coworking solutions
2. Promotion: to give response to the need to promote Donegal as a great location for remote working and to raise awareness among employees and employers in a targeted and effective manner.
3. Support: support for both employers and employees, has been identified as a key requirement in the positioning of Donegal as a great location for remote working.
4. Talent: Access to talent is a key influencing factor for employers when considering remote working opportunities and there is a need to have information on talent and skills availability in the region.
5. Infrastructure and connectivity: The availability of good quality infrastructure such as broadband, mobile phone coverage, childcare services, education, housing, recreational amenities, libraries, cultural services and so on contribute significantly to the quality of life aspect of living

A dedicated person in the Council works on the strategy. The actions which support it are funded by different sources including existing programmes run by organisations like Donegal County Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Enterprise Ireland & other public-private initiatives.

Success is evident in that this strategic framework is supported by an annual action plan with strong support from the local ecosystem. The continuing promotion of remote working facilities and individuals based in Donegal via online & social media has generated huge engagement on a national and international scale. Two "Grow Remote Chapters" have been established & additional funding obtained for Donegal Hubs development, both supported by the strategy are evidence of its success.

This is a good practice with potential to be transferred to those regions interested in attracting people and business to their remote areas. The key successful factors are good coordination, involvement of key stakeholders with specific role in the socio-economic development of the remote areas and their communities and, the effective management of existing resources (human and capital).