Banner image for Border Transition, 2022

Past Project

Border Transition, 2022

A new community development initiative with a focus on climate change was delivered in 2022 for the communities in and around both Upper and Lower Lough MacNean (covering both sides of the border in Counties Cavan, Leitrim and Fermanagh).

Project Overview

Local Communities Leading Climate Action

Six communities were involved, covering both sides of the border in Cavan, Leitrim and Fermanagh, and with representation from both main traditions: Belcoo, Blacklion, Cashel, Glenfarne, Killesher and Kiltyclogher.

For this initiative ICBAN partnered with Tasc, the Think tank for Action on Social Change, based in Dublin, and who have been running other successful Peoples Transition initiatives. The project provided the opportunity for border citizens to communicate the local issues they feel are most pressing, and to then receive expert support and guidance to develop solutions that promote community wealth and well-being, whilst being climate / environment friendly.

Tackling climate change as individuals is often daunting and we don’t tend to see the long terms benefits of our actions. So, the idea of Border Transition is that by acting collectively across borders and generations, our responses as communities to climate change are more effective and achievable. In 2022 people had plenty to think about already, in terms of the cost of living and other issues as we came out of the pandemic. We therefore sought to impress that action on Climate is really an opportunity, and not a burden. It’s also an opportunity to make the beautiful environment around Lough MacNean even more attractive and accessible for local people and tourists.

From Engagement to Community-Led Vision

Participation involved coming to discussion events, that were involving all the various communities in the Lough MacNean area. During these the key local issues were raised, aired and shared. Through these participants constructed a detailed picture of the issues, needs and demographics of the areas (conducted by survey) to ensure that did not miss any specific issues or omitted to engage with any section of the local communities. Through analysis and discussion these gave rise to potential solutions that were then set in the form of a vision for the area. It is the communities themselves who have decided what the issues are, and we, ICBAN and Tasc, have helped them to identify and start developing their optimum solutions, which include: Geothermal energy; an Anaerobic digestion cooperative; social farming; and slow food tourism.

The project formally completed before Christmas 2022 with the release of a toolkit for the area, “Border Transition: Building Peace through Community-led Climate Action”. ICBAN and Tasc continue to work with the communities in progressing the identified solutions.