Inform, Influence, Inspire: EPIC Futures NI 2025 Findings & Insights

Inform, Influence, Inspire: EPIC Futures NI 2025 Findings & Insights for Policy and Practice

📅 Wednesday 26 November 2025
🕣 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 The Great Hall, Guildhall, Derry~Londonderry

EPIC Futures NI is delighted to be working in partnership with a range of partners to develop evidence based solutions for fair and inclusive employment across Northern Ireland.

The Inform, Influence and Inspire Workshop will present the findings from the projects which were funded in the Phase 1 Policy Commissioning Call. Early insights from partner led research currently in delivery across the EPIC Futures project will also be discussed.

This workshop will bring together individuals from across government, academia, business, and the voluntary and community sector who are interested in the Northern Ireland skills and employability ecosystem.

There will be an opportunity to hear new data and insights and share your views, with the aim of identifying action that we can take to create change.

The Phase 1 Policy Commissioning Call invested £250,000 in projects which focused on economic activity, skills, employability, and inclusive labour market participation. This event marks a key moment to reflect on what we’ve learned and where we go next, translating research into actionable recommendations that can shape future interventions and investment.

What to Expect

The day will open with reflections from the Principal Investigator of EPIC Futures Professor, Kristel Miller, who will speak to the role of place-based partnerships in addressing complex, systemic challenges. Guest speakers will explore the importance of data, collaboration, and innovation in shaping responsive labour market policy.

At the core of the event will be presentations from eight Phase 1 funded projects and three partner led research projects, each offering a unique lens on economic activity and employability in Northern Ireland.

Together, we’re building evidence-based solutions for fair and inclusive employment across Northern Ireland.

• Federation of Small Businesses – Barriers to Recruitment for SMEs
• People 1st International & Tourism Partners – Inclusive Recruitment in Tourism and Hospitality
• Ulster University & LSE – Place-Based Economic Inactivity and Policy Relevance
• Centre for Cross Border Cooperation – Mid Point Research Insights: Economic Inactivity in Border Regions
• Business in the Community NI and Ulster University – Mid Point Research Insights: Age-inclusive workplaces
• Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC)– Lifelong Learning and Transversal Skills
• Stranmillis College – Transform; Transitions for Young People with Disabilities
• Horizon Research – Exploring Models of Supported Employment for People with Disabilities
• Green Abilities NI – Opening Doors for Neurodiverse Talent in Green Jobs
• EY – The Value of Addressing Underemployment of Mothers
• Queen’s University Belfast – Childcare and Female Economic Inactivity

There will be opportunities across the day to share your feedback and views on what you hear. The day will conclude with discussions to consolidate key insights and identify next steps. If Phase 2 funding has been confirmed, a preview of the next stage of the programme will also be shared.

Who Should Attend

This event is aimed at those working across policy, research, business, and the community and voluntary sector, anyone with a stake in building a more inclusive, responsive, and evidence-informed labour market in Northern Ireland.