"Eoin is a passionate digital innovator helping to create digital-first business communities in our towns. His writings share how he did this in his home town of Dún Laoghaire, an inspiration for many towns across Ireland to emulate. "
Extract from judges naming of Eoin as the .IE Local Digital Hero 2022
The world is changing and many people want a better work/life balance with access to new and emerging career opportunities, a better future for their children as well as the means to do the right thing for the climate and their community.
Eoin Costello, Digital Champion for the Digital Ireland Network, says digital technology matters more than ever because it is increasingly becoming inseparable from being human. He takes us through his personal vision for how digitalisation can help us in our everyday lives by sharing practical experiences and insights from his portfolio career. These insights are centred around the three great passions of Eoin’s life, digital, small businesses and doing his part to create a better future for his young son.
Eoin presents a copy of his book to the European Commission's Amaryllis Verhoeven, Head of Unit, Digital Transformation of Industry at European Commission, DG GROW.
Our society is entering a period of significant change at many levels. Enabling rural communities not just to survive but to thrive in the 21st century is at the heart of this book which seeks to shine a light on how to leverage techology, societal trends and an ever increasing desire for a better quality of life, to challenge 200 years of historical emigration from the West to the East coast of Ireland through digital growth.
At DigitalHQ we believe that the 3 Big Ideas in this document can contribute directly to the sustainable regional development goals of ‘Our Rural Future’ through the mechanism of the remote working hub infrastructure that the Minister's Department has created.
Repopulating Rural Ireland
"We all know that the world is changing rapidly and that, at a time of major change, anything can be possible. However it is reasonable to ask if we can change a trend that is over 200 years in the making? "
Digital and Small Business
The pandemic has accelerated two trends: digital adoption and transfer of value. Now is the time for the EU to leverage digital growth plus the ‘loyalty to local’ movement inspired by the pandemic to create sustainable, SME-led jobs in our local communities.
Social Enterprise - Ireland's third way to get things done
"We must get behind the third way of creating jobs and getting things done in our society through social enterprise. This is a call to action to Government - Put Social Enterprises 'Businesses for Social Good' on an equal footing with Private Sector Businesses for the jobs that they will create!"
The media narrative about towns
"Localities need to be inspired by the media to do what they can with what they've got. While digital's not the total solution, the pride of localities can be increasingly empowered through digitalisation. It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness!"
The case for repurposing vacant buildings as Digital Growth Hubs
Our work to date in Dún Laoghaire Town reflects our goal of enhancing the vibrancy and economy of the town by supporting a strong employment base.
"We all love our home towns, as locals we know the best place to get our bits and bobs. However in the 21st century everything is changing, localities need to find a way to digitise the great things about their area and make them widely available online."
"I want to see my son, as do many parents, having high quality local job opportunities without having to commute."
Eoin is presented with the Minister of New Zealand Government medal by Minister Nash, chair of the OECD Roundtable on Digital for SMEs in Paris.
The category of "Digital Local Hero" was described by the Awards as "someone in your community who is an unsung hero, who works tirelessly on initiatives to promote the digital enhancement of the town or a group in the town.".
"It was an honour to be named Digital Ireland's 'Digital Champion' during Minister Humphreys visit to our hub in Dún Laoghaire yesterday.I look forward to working hard to bring the benefits of digital growth to localities across the country."
Eoin on receiving the Digital Champion award
"It was an honour to be appointed to the Fine Gael party ICT SubCommittee of the National Executive and share my knowledge of empowering people through Digital First Communities."