An innovative project based in Co. Leitrim is literally growing peace through its International Fund for Ireland funded ‘Growing Together’ project. The Organic Centre in Leitrim is using its experience in organic gardening and training to foster cross-community and cross-border relationships across Co. Leitrim, Co. Cavan and Co. Fermanagh.

A major element of the project is the development of ‘peace clusters’ of school and community gardens, which aim to provide opportunities for everyone in local communities to work together.  The gardens are located in two clusters, one around the Fermanagh-Leitrim border and the other around the Fermanagh-Cavan border. Local community activity is further developed through cross-border workshops, with participants exploring peace and reconciliation topics as well as learning to cook their own vegetables.

The pioneering efforts of the Organic Centre in the use of gardening as a medium for bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to enhance their mutual understanding, is already bearing fruit.  From its inception, the programme has acted as a catalyst to improve community relations.  The programme has three strands: ‘Sustainable Communities’, ‘Primary Schools’ and ‘Women’s Organic Horticultural Training Project’.  Already over 200 people aged eight to almost 80 are involved in the Growing Together project.

Andy Hallewell, Project Manager at the Organic Centre explains what makes these gardens unique: “One of the most exciting elements of the project is its focus on reconciliation and peace building among participants. We have pioneered the use of gardening as a medium for bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to enhance their mutual understanding, and we hope that this new project will make a very positive difference to the lives of people in Leitrim, Cavan and Fermanagh – three border counties which were prevented from fully exploiting their potential for many years due to the effect of the Troubles.”

Belleek Primary School is already involved in the Growing Together project.  It is a small school situated in a rural area of Co. Fermanagh.

Teacher Teresa Finlay says that the experience has been a powerful one for the school’s children. “The children have been involved right from the start – from planning the shape of the raised beds, planting and tending the growing plants, through to harvesting and cooking the results. They saw the cycle of life in plants as they grew from seed to adult plant.”

“The Growing Together project has provided opportunities for the children to develop skills across all areas of the curriculum, including thinking skills, personal development, mutual understanding and communications, as well as science. A particular highlight has been the opportunity to work with children from Kiltycloger Primary School from Co. Leitrim and a visit to the Organic Centre itself.”