IE Domain Registry t/a .IE Annual Report 2021

The .IE Digital Town programme was developed to foster digital enhancement and adoption in Ireland, helping businesses, citizens and communities to harness the benefits of the Internet and to thrive online. The programme has evolved from previous initiatives that we have run, such as Internet Day. We are committed to advancing Ireland’s Internet ecosystem by working through multiple partnerships to enable this to become a reality. The programme comprises three elements: Big Data for small towns, the .IE Digital Town Awards and the .IE Digital Town Blueprint. Two specific pillars of activity are currently underway – the Awards, and the Blueprint. .IE Digital Town Awards 2021 The Awards promote awareness, knowledge, use and understanding of digital in Ireland by its citizens, businesses and communities. They also highlight the benefits and possibilities of digital, and celebrate the digital achievements of local towns, big and small. The Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions have had an enormous impact on our country. Digitalisation has offered the opportunity to create new ways of doing things. It promotes innovation and breathes new life into local communities, making them more attractive places to live and work, as well as contributing to a more sustainable future. Pictured (l-r) with Maggie Breen from Dingle Creativity and Innovation Hub were Oonagh McCutcheon, National Director, .IE Digital Town Programme; David Curtin, Chief Executive .IE with Minister Damien English, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail In 2021, we held our inaugural awards with a €100,000 prize fund. The independent judging panel selected Dingle Peninsula as the winner of the top Award, which was presented by Minister Damien English, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail at a virtual awards ceremony. .IE Digital Town Blueprint To help town leaders and policymakers embed their own digital town programmes and action plans in empirical data, .IE partnered with The Irish Institute of Digital Business at DCU to fully explore the concept and value of the “digital town” through a comprehensive research project. The resultant digital readiness framework is the first of its kind in Europe. In 2021, we commenced discussions with the Department of Rural and Community Affairs (DRCD), and in early 2022, DRCD made provision for funding a .IE Digital Town Blueprint assessment for the 26 towns selected to prepare Master Plans as part of the Town Centre First initiative. This work is now underway and will be completed by the end of 2022. The Blueprint reports will provide data and actionable insights for decision-makers in these towns, and others like them, as they consider digitalisation initiatives that positively impact the local economy, public services, communications, social cohesion, and overall quality of life. The local internet community Through our memberships and sponsorships of industry awards and events, the Company usually provides a modest level of financial support to the local internet community. In 2021, we sponsored the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, supported Cyber Ireland and continued our partnership with Digital Business Ireland, contributing to their events and committees. The Company has provided free .ie domain names to over 7,000 registered charities, who have a valid CHY number issued by the Revenue Commissioners. This is done in co-operation with a number of our accredited Registrars. Profit-for-good The Company operates a profit-for-good mandate, and one of .IE’s strategic priorities is to support and serve the needs of the local internet community. In 2021, we launched our new initiative, the .IE Digital Town Programme with a €1 million investment over 4 years to enable a nation of digital towns. Business and Market Review IE Domain Registry CLG t/a .IE / Annual Report & Review 2021 27