EPIC Futures NI, a Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) hub led by Ulster University, has launched Phase 2 of its policy commissioning call, with a total of \u00a3750,000 in funding available for transformative projects aimed at improving access to fair and inclusive employment across Northern Ireland.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This follows\u00a0Phase 1, which awarded \u00a3250,000 across nine projects in June 2025. These initiatives are underway and are exploring challenges around skills, access to employment, and social inclusion across Northern Ireland. The results of the first phase will be presented in November 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Economy Minister<\/a>, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, said: \u201cRemoving the barriers people face in accessing education, training and skills is a key priority for my department. The research commissioned under Phase 2 EPIC Futures will help to identify some of those barriers so that we can improve the pathways to good jobs.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Finance Minister<\/a>, John O\u2019Dowd, said: \u201cEPIC Futures has already helped to support important research and collaboration in relation to employability. I am pleased that my department has been able to participate in this work to date and welcome the launch of the Phase 2 commissioning call. I would encourage those that can contribute to answering the research themes identified in this call to submit proposals.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Communities Minister<\/a> Gordon Lyons, said:\u00a0\u201cAddressing high rates of Economic Inactivity in Northern Ireland is a priority for my department, with linkages to poverty, health and wellbeing, social inclusion, and supporting economic growth. Research commissioned under EPIC Futures, developed in collaboration with other departments, offers insights into how we can ensure that our policy and delivery is effective, and resulting in real change for people on the ground.\u201d \u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n READ NEXT:\u00a0Satori Accounting celebrates 15 years of innovation and impact in small business finance<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n