About C-CASE
The Cross-Border Collaboration to Activate the Skills Ecosystem (C-CASE) project is bringing together further and higher education institutions, industry partners, policymakers, and community stakeholders to strengthen workforce capability, improve skills pathways, and support inclusive economic growth across the border region. The project is focused on creating stronger links between education, employers, and communities to ensure that skills provision responds effectively to current and emerging labour market needs.
C-CASE is a collaborative initiative funded through the PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Building upon long-standing relationships between education providers and regional stakeholders, C-CASE seeks to develop a more connected, responsive, and inclusive skills ecosystem across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
The project aims to address skills shortages, improve workforce participation, and enhance opportunities for individuals furthest from education and employment by fostering cross-border collaboration and shared innovation.
Through coordinated research, stakeholder engagement, pilot interventions, and capacity-building activities, C-CASE will support the design and delivery of skills solutions that meet the needs of employers while creating sustainable pathways for learners and workers.
Ultimately, the project seeks to strengthen regional prosperity and social cohesion by ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or location, can access opportunities to develop skills, participate in the workforce, and contribute to economic growth.
Running until June 2029, the project will:
• Strengthen collaboration between education providers, employers, policymakers, and community organisations.
• Improve understanding of current and future workforce skills needs through research and labour market analysis.
• Develop innovative cross-border approaches to skills development, workforce activation, and employer engagement.
• Support individuals facing barriers to participation in education, training, and employment.
• Build the capacity of institutions and stakeholders to work collaboratively in addressing regional skills challenges.
• Generate evidence and best practice that can inform future skills policy and investment.
By completing this form, you are expressing an interest in learning more about the project and receiving information about future opportunities to engage.
Contact:
ccase@belfastmet.ac.uk
C-CASE is led by Belfast Metropolitan College on behalf of the FE Sector in NI in partnership with:
CBI
SOLAS
Staffline
Ulster University
DfE
DFHERIS
NI Skills Council
National Skills Council of Ireland
DBEC
IBEC
DCU
The project works closely with employers, sector representatives, economic development agencies, local authorities, and community organisations across the border region to ensure that activities are aligned with regional workforce needs and opportunities.
The project encompasses a range of interconnected workstreams including:
Skills ecosystem research and analysis
Employer engagement and workforce intelligence
Cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange
Capacity building for education and training providers
Development and testing of innovative workforce activation initiatives
Stakeholder engagement and policy dialogue
Dissemination of learning, evidence, and best practice
Why Get Involved?
The challenges facing our workforce cannot be solved by any one organisation alone. Skills shortages, economic transition, demographic change, technological innovation, and social inclusion require a coordinated response that brings together education providers, employers, communities, and policymakers.
C-CASE provides a unique opportunity for stakeholders across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland to help shape a more connected, inclusive, and responsive skills ecosystem. By working together, we can identify emerging skills needs, share expertise, develop innovative solutions, and create pathways that support people, businesses, and communities to thrive.
Join the Conversation
We are inviting stakeholders from across the region to become part of the C-CASE network. Whether you are:
- An employer seeking access to future talent and workforce development solutions
- A community or voluntary organisation supporting people furthest from education and employment
- An education or training provider interested in collaboration and innovation
- A policymaker, economic development agency, or public body working to strengthen regional growth
- A learner, jobseeker, or community representative with valuable lived experience and insights
Your voice can help shape the future of skills development across the region.
How You Can Contribute
Stakeholders can engage with C-CASE by:
- Participating in research and consultation activities
- Joining workshops, roundtables, and stakeholder forums
- Sharing labour market intelligence and workforce challenges
- Contributing examples of innovation and good practice
- Supporting pilot initiatives and collaborative projects
- Helping identify opportunities to improve access, inclusion, and progression pathways
Cross Border Cooperation 2026 Annual Conference: Thursday 17th September
C-CASE is supported through PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The PEACEPLUS Programme has been designed to promote peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland through cross-border and cross-community collaboration. The programme is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive. and receiving information about future opportunities to engage.
