In this two year programme we will support 2 local community growing networks – Reclaim the Commons in Belfast and the Derry & Strabane network - enabling them to meet the needs of their local community growing groups. 

When people are motivated it’s so important to harness and support that energy. By supporting and networking key volunteers and staff we strengthen the delivery of the mostly voluntary community growing projects. 

Each year we will organise 5 skillshare workshops and a Gathering open to all community growing groups. Broader gatherings are so valuable for a sense of the scale and range of community growing groups and for groups to benefit from sharing experiences, best practice and policy development. We have found that visiting other community gardens can help the members of one garden to develop ideas for their own site and gain a better understanding among themselves of what their goals and vision are. 

Comments from participants of the previous Growing Resilience Network: 

“Networking is a great way of exchanging ideas and experiences.” 

“The networking is not just a good idea but an essential part of putting sustainability into the heart of this work. It's only through connections that any individual initiative can survive over the long term.” 

“The network brings to light the amount of work going on across the area.” 

This project is funded by the National Lottery Fund Awards for All programme.