MINDSET partners advance digital transformation & rural missions in Donegal

Partners of the MINDSET project met in Donegal, Ireland, on 29th September 2026 for a project meeting focused on reviewing progress across pilot territories, strengthening transnational collaboration, and planning the next phase of mission implementation.

The meeting was hosted by ERNACT, in cooperation with Donegal County Council, Inishowen Development Partnership, Inishowen River Trust and the Colgan Heritage Group.

Exploring Local Context and Digital Action

The first day opened at Colgan Hall in Carndonagh, with a presentation of the local context. Participants gained valuable insights into community-led initiatives and local development efforts taking place across the region. Partners then undertook site visits to several locations connected to the Two Rivers mission and local Digital Zone actions, seeing first-hand how digital and social innovation can actively support rural communities.

Strategic Progress and Mission Review

During the afternoon partnership session, representatives from across the participating regions reviewed the implementation of MINDSET missions in their respective territories. Discussions focused on:

• Mission Implementation: Assessing progress across pilot actions and refining next steps.

• Communication & Dissemination: Enhancing project visibility and sharing insights with wider regional stakeholders.

• Project Coordination: Aligning upcoming milestones and transnational deliverables.

The exchange highlighted the immense value of transnational cooperation in tackling common rural challenges and tailoring digital solutions to diverse regional contexts.

Synergy with INCLUDE cluster project

The Donegal meeting also served to deepen synergies between MINDSET and its cluster project, INCLUDE. On 30th September, partners gathered at the CoLab ATU Donegal in Letterkenny for an INCLUDE thematic seminar exploring how digital tools, inclusive approaches, and community engagement can strengthen local capacity and participation. The seminar featured presentations showcasing key digital initiatives across the cluster:

• IndieDev programme (Inno GS)

• DigidelCenter – Public Library (Innovation in urban planning)

• Innovera Digital Innovation Platform (MINDSET)

• Voting platform for civic engagement (MINDSET/CIVITEC)

Following the presentations, partners reviewed the scenarios identified by the project participants. The event concluded with partners joining the celebrations for the 35th Anniversary of ERNACT, marking decades of impactful EU cooperation.

The two-day gathering wrapped up with a renewed commitment from all project partners to continue testing and deploying innovative solutions that build resilient, inclusive, and digitally empowered rural communities across the Northern Periphery and Arctic region.