Funding Bid Support
Belfast City Council (on behalf of the Belfast Region City Deal)
We worked with Belfast City Council to lead the development
of a successful application for DSIT’s 5G Innovation Regions.
The Challenge
In July 2023, the UK Government launched the 5G Innovation Regions initiative, offering the opportunity to apply for up to £3.8 million in funding to accelerate 5G-enabled innovation. Belfast City Council on behalf of the Belfast Region City Deal, saw a strategic opportunity to align this with its existing digital ambitions and position the region as a national leader in 5G deployment.
The application process was highly competitive and required coordination with multiple stakeholders, the development of detailed project proposals, and completion of a compelling submission, all within a tight six-week window during the summer holiday period.
Our Approach
We partnered with Belfast City Council who were working on behalf of the Belfast Region City Deal to lead the bid development from end to end. We organised and facilitated a regional stakeholder session in Belfast, bringing together local authorities, businesses, and delivery partners to explore potential project ideas. We developed a longlist of proposals, and then a shortlist based on project readiness and alignment with DSIT guidance.
We worked closely with project leads to understand the technical requirements, innovation potential, and impact of each proposal, both within Northern Ireland and across the UK. We helped articulate a long-term vision for a sustainable 5G ecosystem that would continue beyond the funding window.
We were a key co-author of the application, collaborating closely with the Council’s team to ensure the narrative was strategic, backed by data and analysis, and aligned with DSIT’s objectives. We also managed wider stakeholder engagement, secured supporting stakeholder endorsements, and provided support during the clarification stage following submission.
The Impact
In November 2023, Belfast City Council and the Belfast City Region were officially designated as one of the 5G Innovation Regions and awarded £3.8 million in government funding.
Our leadership in bid development helped secure investment that will drive forward 5G innovation in Northern Ireland, accelerate digital inclusion, and strengthen the region’s position in the UK’s digital future.
Let’s Build Smarter, More Connected Public Services Together
We work exclusively with public sector organisations to deliver cost-effective, high-impact, digital infrastructure, IT services, and business solutions that maximise taxpayer value and drive economic growth.
