The Impact of Grow Remote’s work in H1 2025

Solving the Challenges of Remote Work

Remote and hybrid work is now deeply embedded in Irish life, transforming how we live, work, and connect. But with that shift comes a new set of challenges — from isolation and poor communication to under-skilled leadership and disconnected communities.

In H1 2025, Grow Remote worked to solve these challenges so that remote work delivers positive social, economic, and environmental impact for all.

Employer Services – Building Capability and Confidence

Our Employer Services focused on equipping leaders and organisations to thrive in distributed work environments.

• • Leading Remote & Hybrid Teams:
    • • Over 200 learners took part in our fully funded short course, achieving an 85%+ graduation rate.
    • • More than 80% of participants implemented or planned new initiatives for their workplace
    • • 75% gained practical skills and knowledge to manage remote teams effectively.

• • FORWARD Consultancy:
    • • 10 Irish SMEs received tailored remote readiness assessments, roadmaps, and action plans, delivered in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and regional enterprise networks.

• • Workshops:
    • • 8 leaders from public and private sectors developed skills in asynchronous working, clarity, and team cohesion.

Our “Talk to the Customer” programme engaged 100+ companies, generating 25+ in-depth conversations about remote work with HR leaders and senior decision-makers. These insights are directly shaping our services, advocacy, and new product development.

Community – Enabling Real-World Connection

We believe remote work should never mean working alone. In H1 2025, our Community work brought remote workers together locally, tackling disconnection and supporting integration.

• • 150+ events across 16 counties attracted over 1,500 remote workers, with around half of events in Munster – thanks to support from the Tomar Trust. Attendees reported that;
    • • 90% met interesting people
    • • 70% felt more connected locally
    • • 25% learned about new remote employers or job opportunities

• • 70+ active local leaders volunteered their time, supported by one-to-one mentoring, onboarding sessions, and two regional retreats (Leinster and Munster)

• • Local leaders gained confidence, stronger peer networks, and renewed energy to drive local change.

• • Event formats included monthly after-work socials, group activities like boat trips, brunches and coffee meet-ups, as well as collaborations with local community groups such as Tidy Towns, Foróige and the GAA.

Landing Remote Jobs – Career Pathways in Action

Helping individuals find remote work is central to our mission. In H1 2025, we provided practical career supports:

• • A Career Resources Newsletter reaching 1,000+ subscribers, spotlighting jobs, skills, and employers each month.

• • Remote Work Ready Training, in partnership with WorkEqual, supporting 25 learners with the skills to secure remote roles.

• • Remote Career Info Sessions with over 100 registrants and live Q&A.

• • Community Career Engagement at local jobs fairs, bringing remote work visibility to hundreds.

• • A pilot Future-Proof Your Remote Career eLearning module, preparing for H2 rollout.

5 individuals directly credited our supports with helping them land remote jobs, reflecting the tangible difference community-based learning and visibility can make.

Policy & Advocacy – Influencing the System

To sustain remote work at scale, policy must evolve. In H1 2025, our Policy & Advocacy work:

• • Engaged TDs and Senators through in-person meetings in Galway, Dublin, and Wexford.

• • Prepared for our second Oireachtas All-Party Group engagement.

• • Contributed to sectoral consultations and produced data-driven thought leadership.

• • Secured Tier 1 national media mentions in RTÉ, Newstalk and The Irish Independent

Our insights and Pulse Reports are shaping national media narratives and informing action by stakeholders. Politicians, employers, and community leaders increasingly view Grow Remote as a trusted voice for rural and regional remote work policy.

Our co-founder and Chair, Tracy Keogh, was invited to speak on The Claire Byrne Show on RTÉ Radio 1 on 1st August. Click below to access the podcast.

Looking Forward

In H2 2025, we will expand our training and consultancy for employers, grow community-led events into new regions, and scale career resources to reach 1,500+ subscribers. We’ll deepen our policy engagement, publish new data, and continue to shape public conversations around remote work.

Our call to action is clear: whether you’re an employer, policymaker, funder, or community leader, join us in making remote work inclusive, visible, and accessible to all. Reach out for a chat with Dónal, our Head of Programmes here.