Belfast has one of the UK and Ireland’s most exciting innovation economies. Over the past decade, we have been building on the incredible research strengths of our two universities, the dynamism of our workforce and local businesses, and on major investments in digital infrastructure, to create something that we believe is truly unique and world-beating.
Belfast has enviable strengths in key sectors of the future global economy – in software development, AI, cyber security, medtech and the creative industries. Within each we are nurturing an ecosystem of founders, scale-ups, and multinational investors that benefit from being in a place that naturally bends towards collaboration, mutual support and problem-solving. Belfast is making a name for itself as the fastest place in these islands to bring a novel idea to commercial reality.
But our city is not settling for just productivity and growth. They are important, but not enough. Tapping into our proud history of grass-roots engagement and collaboration, we are making sure that Belfast is a place where the innovation economy is also the inclusive economy. Our resilient and renowned community sector is of course central to our approach.
Now, we have an exciting opportunity to share Belfast’s unique story with the world. We are bidding to become Europe’s next Capital of Innovation, and we want to showcase the people, projects and ideas that are helping to shape our inclusive innovation future.
This is your chance to shine a light on inspiring work that deserves wider recognition and to help influence what comes next.
By taking a few minutes to answer our questions, you’ll help tell Belfast’s inclusive innovation story, its ambitions, achievements and impact. You can answer as many or as few questions as you like. Every contribution matters, and every voice helps shape the future of our city.
Survey – give us your views and ideas
Our online questionnaire is just one way we are gathering ideas and information. We are talking to a number of organisations about inclusive innovation in the city.
Belfast City Council will be applying on behalf of the city. We will share details of the submission on our website. If the city is selected for the next stage, we will find out early in the autumn.
The deadline for completing our survey is Friday 24 July 2026.
