Ulster University has celebrated the official launch of E-DATA (Enterprise Digitalisation And Transformation Alliance), a flagship €6.7M project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
E-DATA (
http://e-data.ai) has been created to help local businesses, and the people who work in them, stay strong and competitive. Many small companies face everyday challenges like not having enough digital skills, using outdated systems, or struggling to recruit staff with the right expertise. This fully funded programme offers practical, personalised support to help them fix these problems. By giving businesses access to tools and knowledge they might not otherwise afford, E‑DATA helps people work more efficiently, reduce pressure on teams, and make better decisions using digital technology.
With digital adoption now essential for growth and competitiveness, the initiative provides expert guidance and hands-on implementation in transformative areas including data analytics, automation, and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, specifically focusing on sustainability, innovation, and cross-border collaboration.
The launch event, held at Ulster University Derry~Londonderry, brought together academic leaders, government representatives, and stakeholders to mark the beginning of this transformative collaboration. E-DATA aims to strengthen research capacity, enhance adoption of digital technologies, and drive innovation-led economic growth throughout the region.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “I welcome this latest cross-border initiative which will provide valuable support to help SMEs in the north and border counties become more economically resilient. I commend the efforts of the Ulster University and its collaborative partners in combining their expertise and skills to develop a programme which will empower SMEs to use digitisation as a tool to drive efficiency and innovation in their systems, processes, and products. I look forward to seeing how the Programme transforms the growth of local businesses across the region in the coming months and years.”
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said: “I am delighted to note the launch of E‑DATA project which represents a significant step forward in strengthening SME competitiveness through digital transformation. By equipping businesses with the skills, tools, and expertise they need to innovate and decarbonise, this initiative strongly supports Ireland’s enterprise policy priorities around productivity, sustainability, and regional growth. The project will help SMEs seize new opportunities, boost resilience and drive long‑term economic prosperity on an all-island basis and I look forward to hearing the testimonies from the many businesses on their digital transformation journeys.”
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “PEACEPLUS supports projects that build long-term prosperity by strengthening the capacity of people, places and enterprises across our region.
E‑DATA reflects that purpose with clarity. It gives small businesses direct access to the skills and technologies they need to remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy.
By combining academic expertise with a strong cross‑border partnership, the programme offers practical help that will improve how firms work, innovate and plan for the future. We are pleased to support an initiative that places local businesses at the centre of digital progress and contributes to sustainable growth across both jurisdictions.”
Driving Impact Across Borders
With a strong grassroots and co-design approach, E-DATA will work directly with SMEs to embed innovation within their organisations. The project will also help businesses access open-source tools and cloud-based platforms to continue their digital transformation independently after the project concludes.
E-DATA will deliver on the following five areas of innovation:
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Provide impartial digital transformation advice tailored to SME needs.
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Deliver hands-on support to implement new technologies at no cost.
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Help businesses analyse and reduce energy usage and carbon outputs.
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Promote innovation-led product and process improvements.
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Create new cross-border business networks and collaborative clusters.
By leveraging Ulster University’s extensive experience from initiatives like the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub, our goal is to empower SMEs to experiment with new technologies, fostering a culture of agility that will strengthen economic links and contribute to a shared, sustainable future for all communities in the region.
Dr Dermot Kerr, E-DATA Project Lead at Ulster University, said:
“E-DATA is a strategically important project for Ulster University and our regional partners, directly addressing the unique and pressing digital transformation challenges faced by SMEs in Ireland's border regions, a need we have long recognised and supported. Using our wide-ranging experience, we are providing the tailored expertise and hands-on support necessary to ensure these vital businesses can fully embrace digitalisation, drive innovation, and secure their future competitiveness.”
Professor Liam Maguire, Ulster University Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Impact, added:
“Ulster University is committed to creating a positive impact in border regions, and E-DATA empowers us to further that goal. This award is a testament to our research excellence and longstanding impact in the area – strongly aligned with our strategic priorities of people, place, partnership and a sustainable future for all."
Collaborative Partners
E-DATA brings together five leading organisations to form a dynamic ecosystem committed to SME development:
By adopting this cross-border model, E-DATA aims to strengthen economic links, promote peace and prosperity, and contribute to a shared, sustainable future for all communities in the region.
