Community Resilience
Based in Cloughjordan the Community Resilience programme develops resources and delivers training in community resilience - the capability of communities to hold together, learn, adapt and maintain their ability to function in response to change.
Where sustainability aimed to change the world, resilience looks for ways to manage change in an uncertain world.
- The Community Resilience Resource Website
See all 10 Powerdown Shows, the Surfing the Waves of Change animation, and other resources. - Get started by downloading a free copy of Carnegie Trust's Exploring Community Resilience here.
Realising our Potential
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- Category: Community Resilience
"Realising our Potential - What becomes possible when we learn from each other?
An opportunity to share approaches to host dialogue processes that help local communities and territories face current challenges.
Join us for a 120 minute on-line event on
TUESDAY 14th JUNE 2022 - 16.00 - 18.00 CET
Sign up here. (https://framaforms.org/networking-event-dialogue-realising-our-potential-14-june-2022-1608145095)
An invitation for practitioners, local activists, climate coaches, community catalysts, territorial mediators, local leaders and people trying to implement dialogue processes in their community and territory:
- to meet and exchange with colleagues from across Europe,
- to share practices and receive inputs,
- to go deeper with other practitioners and contribute to our collective learning.
With this networking event, we propose to practise this “culture of dialogue” altogether, testing dynamics that will allow us to listen to others and learn more from people who share similar interests and concerns but may have a different experience and perspective.
The event will be held in English with French translation.
It is organised by Forum Synergies, in partnership with Cultivate: The Sustainable Ireland Cooperative, Community Climate Coaches, Change Exploratory, Ireland, Resilience Earth, Spain and Geyser/Ecole de dialogue territorial, France.
Wellbeing Economy Alliance
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- Category: Community Resilience
We're delighted to announce the formal launch of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance's Ireland Hub with this interactive event - a follow-up to the Hub's successful online gathering in June.
We’ll hear from leading global visionaries Kate Raworth of Doughnut Economics and Katherine Trebeck of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance. They will join with Jennifer Wallace of the Carnegie UK Trust, core members of the new WEAll Hub for Ireland, the Irish Doughnut Economics Network and other local Irish activists to help identify the strategic actions that are needed to shift values and reorient our economies toward wellbeing policies and practices, to create an island of wellbeing.
Date: Tuesday October 19
Time: 12:30-2pm Irish time
Book a place here
Cultivate is a co-organiser of this event, along with FEASTA, the European Health Futures Forum and QUB School of Law and Social Justice Ireland.
A Question SCALE Podcast
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- Category: Community Resilience
A Podcast featuring some of the contributors to the Question of Scale Webinar and Framing Paper was recorded in Cultivate’s new digital studio in WeCreate Workspace.
This production is available here https://youtu.be/TnQaq_E3xaA
Framing Paper A Question of Scale - PDF
00:00.00 - Introduction
Davie Philip - Cultivate/ Ecolise.eu, Ollie Moore - Cultivate/ ARC2020
00:02.18 - Resilience - A Guiding Principle for a Just Recovery & Transition
Dirk Holemans - GEF
00:08.10 - Climate Emergency Economy
Jonathan Essex - Green House, UK, Bram van de Glind - GroenLinks, Netherlands.
00:17.10 - Introducing Doughnut Economics
Dr. Carol Power - Centre for Co-Operative Studies at UCC
00:28.00 - Just Transitions & Community Wealth Building
Sinead Mercier, Sean McCabe - TASC
00:46.00 - Historical Perspectives on Cooperatives in Ireland
Tommy Simpson - GFI
00:53.50 - Cooperatives Now
Sam Toland - Solid Network, Aoife Hammond - Dublin Food Coop
Production - Eoin Campbell (JustMultimedia)
Music and Tech Support - Darren Flynn
The project is made possible with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.
Deepening Civic Dialogue
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- Category: Community Resilience
Deepening Civic Dialogue
WEDNESDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2021 - 17.00 - 18.30 CET
Event Registration: https://framaforms.org/webinar-deepening-civic-dialogue-1608145095
An invitation to a conversation on the power of dialogue for community-led transitions.
This dynamic webinar will explore how social dialogue can help us build more resilient communities. Includes a keynote on the ‘Power of Dialogue’ by Chris Chapman, case studies from France, Ireland and Spain and a facilitated conversation exploring these questions.
- What approaches to dialogue helps us build more thriving communities?
- How do we ensure meaningful participation and that marginal voices are heard?
- What approaches to dialogue enable local action, and especially climate action?
- What would it take to catalyse more and better dialogue?
The event will be held in English with French translation.
Organised by Forum Synergies, Cultivate: The Sustainable Ireland Cooperative and Geyser Asso, France.
www.forum-synergies.eu www.cultivate.ie www.geyser.asso.fr
Chris Chapman is an experienced facilitator of systemic dialogue, based in Ireland, working both at a local community level and also in the transformation of complex systems through greater inclusion and participation.
Full details of the case studies from France, Ireland and Spain as will be announced 1st February. Information & Registration: https://forum-synergies.eu/article768.html
A Question of SCALE Publication
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- Category: Community Resilience
A Question of SCALE: “Imagining a cooperative, community-led approach to regional resilience” (SCALE also being the acronym for Supply Chains and Local Economies).
Cultivate produced this framing paper with Green Foundation Ireland and the Green European Foundation. It is part of the Climate Emergency Economy transnational project, which includes Green House Think Tank, UK and GroenLinks, Netherlands.
The process began by bringing together some new, and old ideas for shortening supply chains and strengthening local economies into a position paper, which was distributed to 50 researchers and cooperative advocates. We then invited them to a webinar in September 2020 to discuss and build on the ideas. 10 illustrations as well as the findings from the webinar were then synthesised into the final framing paper.
The paper introduces and explores the potential of the Social and Solidarity economy, Doughnut Economics, Just Transition, The Commons, Community Wealth Building, Federated co-ops new co-operative approaches.
Question of Scale Framing Paper is available on the GEF website here..A Question of Scale - PDF
A Question of SCALE
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- Category: Community Resilience
A Question of SCALE
“Imagining a cooperative, community-led approach to regional resilience”
SCALE being the acronym for Supply Chains and Local Economies
This initiative from Green European Foundation, along with Cultivate and Green Foundation Ireland is part of its Climate Emergency Economy transnational project. The project is made possible with the financial support of the European Parliament to Green European Foundation.
‘A Question of SCALE’ is a conversation in the context of global vulnerabilities and challenges - climate, pandemic, risks to supply chain, jobs, etc - that will…
* identify ‘Blockers & Enablers’ to a cooperative, community-led approach to regional resilience;
* secure local supply chains and strengthen regional economies; outline the benefits of regional economies (especially, but not limited to, the agri-food sector);
* encourage cooperative effort in local production for local need;
* identify the potential for livelihoods in our regions (with a focus on the midlands).
The aim of ‘A Question of SCALE’ is to demonstrate how in the context of global vulnerabilities and challenges - climate, pandemic, risks to supply chain, jobs etc - we can…
The Imagination Café - conversations for a sustainable Clare
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- Category: Community Resilience
Wednesday 27th March I 19.30 I Glór Theatre, Ennis, County Clare
This free evening workshop for stakeholders of Clare based projects will cultivate collaboration and greater cohesion between groups in the context of climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Book your place here
The Facebook Event page is here
Read more: The Imagination Café - conversations for a sustainable Clare
Stories & Conversations / Engagement & Communication for a Sustainable Limerick
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- Category: Community Resilience
ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
28th March - Urban Co-op, Limerick - 14.30 - 15.30
Community projects are invited to participate in this free capacity building workshop on public speaking, communication and storytelling. This session will also outline the opportunities of the Sustainable Development Goals for local organisations.
STORIES & CONVERSATIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE LIMERICK
28th March - Urban Co-op, Limerick - 19.30 - 21.30
Join/share the Facebook event
Read more: Stories & Conversations / Engagement & Communication for a Sustainable Limerick
Feeding Ourselves Conference (SOLD OUT)
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- Category: Community Resilience
REGENERATIVE & COOPERATIVE APPROACHES TO FOOD
Saturday 7th March - with additional Friday evening and Sunday events.
NOW SOLD OUT
WeCreate Workspace & Cloughjordan Community Farm, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Tipperary, Ireland
COLLABORATIVE DISTRIBUTION I POLICY MATTERS I FOOD SOVEREIGNTY I BETTER FARMING
Facebook Event
Full Schedule PDFEveryone is encouraged to book through NOTS
Bookings will further enable NOTS to provide a wide variety of in-depth courses to farmers, growers, processors, food businesses, agricultural professionals, and consultants working throughout the organic, food, and agricultural sectors.
Ticket Prices:
All-inclusive Conference + Meals option (includes Lunch and Evening Meal) - €75
Conference + Lunch option - €60
Conference-only Ticket (no meals) €50
BOOKING: http://nots.ie/courses/feeding-ourselves-2020
Or book with Cultivate (not including NOTS discount) at the bottom of this page.
Conference Ticket with Lunch (purchase evening meal separately) €75
Conference Evening Meal (Saturday) €15
Cultivate Community Resilience Webinar
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- Category: Community Resilience
Skills for Increasing Engagement In Community Projects
Tuesday 13th February 2018, 20.00 - 21.30, Free of charge but registration essential
We are delighted to present this interactive webinar to share ideas to increase engagement in local projects and introduce fresh approaches to facilitate transformational conversations in your own community or organisation.
Davie Philip, Cultivate’s Community Resilience Manager will present some of the learnings of 20 years of working in the sustainable community sector. He will also lead a short interview with Chris Chapman (Change Exploratory and Art of Hosting) on his experience of facilitating groups and there will be space to ask questions or share your own experience. The webinar will also outline the details of the ‘Art of Facilitation' course being held in Cloughjordan.
To register email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Convergence 2017
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- Category: Community Resilience
The CONVERGENCE FESTIVAL 2017 celebrates Ireland’s response to the global challenges we face — through transformative, community-led approaches to meet our climate targets and implement the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a fair, healthy and low-carbon future.
Across Ireland, citizens, social enterprises and communities are already using social innovation, co-production and collaborative consumption to strengthen resilience, foster their local economies, and create new jobs in areas such as food, transport, energy, education, housing and waste.
The Convergence Festival 2017 brings together community champions, social entrepreneurs, researchers, networkers, support agencies and policy-makers from around the country to identify and celebrate best practices, build capacity for local change-makers, and promote widespread understanding of the actions local communities can use to transform our lives and the places we live.
Convergence is supported by the EPA, DCU, the Environmental Pillar and Galway European Green Leaf 2017. Carlow County Council, Galway City Council, Limerick Council and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment have supported events in Convergence through the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund.
Feeding Ourselves
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- Category: Community Resilience
Cultivate & Cloughjordan Community Farm present...
Feeding Ourselves: Rural Revitalisation through a Cooperative Approach to Farming and Food.
Saturday 26th: Feeding Ourselves Conference (Venue: WeCreate Workspace, Cloughjordan Ecovillage)
Farm Flicks in the evening: Farming on Crisis
Sunday 27th: Events include: Community Gardens Ireland Gathering | Briefing on the new EU Organic Regulation | Restoring Biological Diversity, Strengthening our Resilience (see pdf for full details)
Book here: Through NOTS (National Organic Training Skillnet)
The Art of Facilitation
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- Category: Community Resilience
The Art of Facilitation
Effective Tools for Cultivating Collaboration and Engagement in Groups, Communities and Co-operative Initiatives
10am - 5pm, Tuesday 23rd May 2017
WeCreate Workspace, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Tipperary
(note: 10am start, though learning material will not be covered until 11am to accommodate those arriving by train)
Course fee €50 (€40 Concession) including a delicious local lunch
To book click below, or for further information contact Davie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0505 56060
Develop your competencies in facilitating groups and using new tools to host transformational conversations in your community or organisation. This full-day course will provide participants with processes to better host meetings, enable dialogue, facilitate participative events and cultivate flourishing communities.
This event will examine the changing role of the facilitator as a catalyst for change, and is aimed at those that have no background in facilitation and also those who are experienced seeking to enrich their skill-set.
Hosted by
Davie Philip, Cultivate Living and Learning; Chris Chapman, the Change Exploratory; and Aaron Bailey, Cloughjordan Ecovillage/Next GEN.
Who is this course for?
This training is for people working with established or emerging community groups, organisations and co-operative initiatives and for anyone interested in convening better meetings, working with groups, hosting events and designing and delivering courses in a more participative way. Adult and community educators, trainers, hosts and facilitators who want to develop their skills and ways of working to enable them to have impact as we transition to a more values-based and collaborative economy, will benefit from attending this course.
What will the course include?
Learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the competencies needed for effective facilitation and then delve into more advanced aspects such as appreciative enquiry, hosting meaningful conversations as well as practical experience of co-facilitation and group facilitation. This training will introduce practices that support collaboration and citizen engagement.
Unique Setting
The course will be held in the WeCreate Workspace in Cloughjordan Ecovillage one of Ireland’s best examples of an ecosystems of innovation: it includes over 55 high-energy performance houses with community woodlands, renewable energy production, a wood-fired bakery, research gardens and a CSA Community Farm.
Accommodation
Accommodation is available in Cloughjordan Ecovillage. To book Django’s Eco-Hostel see www.djangoshostel.com or call +353 87 256 9348.
Climate Safety
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- Category: Community Resilience
Wednesday June 8th, 2016
Towards Climate Safety and Justice - Dublin Briefing
2-4.30pm Carmelite Community Centre, Aungier St, Dublin 2
This is a free event but please book. To register, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with Dublin Briefing in the subject line and giving your name and organisational affiliation if you have one.
On Thursday June 9th, Feasta, Trocaire and Cultivate are hosting an event to bring together activists, researchers and policy makers from environmental, climate, social justice, development and divestment movements. We would like to invite you to join us.
We will be exploring how we cap carbon and looking at emerging ideas and initiatives that are inspiring a citizens movement for a fair and sustainable transition from fossil fuels.
Thursday 9th June, WeCreate Workspace, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Tipperary
10.30 - 12.30 Cap Global Carbon: A stepping stone to safety.
14.30 - 17.00 Making The Transition: Building momentum for a just and fossil fuel free future.
These events are free of charge and include a delicious local lunch, booking a place is essential.
To request a place send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with Cloughjordan Event in the subject line and giving your name, organisation and area of interest in the mail.
Full Circle
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- Category: Community Resilience
Full Circle, Sustainable Work in a Circular Economy
When: Friday 10th June - 14.00-17.30
Where: WeCreate Workspace, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Tipperary
Event PDF
What role do community groups, co-operatives and local enterprises have in the circular economy?
Under what conditions can the circular economy help us accelerate the transition to a resilient and low carbon society?
This afternoon seminar will explore a commons and community approach to the circular economy and local livelihoods.
Scene setting presentations will be given by Belgian-based Anne Snick, Cillian Lohan (European Economic and Social Committee), Claire Downey (co-ordinator of Community Reuse Network Ireland) and other Irish community and local economy advocates.
Dr. Anne Snick has over thirty years of experience in academic research (KU Leuven), practice in working with families in poverty (University Centre Kortenberg) and action research into new economic models (Flora Network). Her research interests are the systemic analysis of poverty, (gender) inequality and ecological crises. Her focus is on the co-creation of alternative socioeconomic models via commons-based allocation of resources and of a gender analysis of how ‘work’ is defined and valorised.
Rise Up May 2016
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- Category: Community Resilience
Cloughjordan Arts in association with Cultivate, will host the first of a number of workshops and a one-day symposium exploring the role of the arts in times of transition:
First workshop taking place on Wednesday 18th May, 8pm-10pm, WeCreate Workspace
More workshops TBA.
Symposium in Autumn, date & time TBA.
It is easy to see and agree on what we don't want, what we want to leave behind. In order to find out where we want to go, the imagination comes into play. Departing from the concept of someone very talented 'possessing' imagination, this evening workshop takes you along a journey of radical imagination as something we do together, as something that grows through conflicts, contradictions and communication.
A one day symposium in Cloughjordan, the birth pace of the poet and patriot Thomas MacDonagh, on the role of the artist and culture creatives in times of transition.
Reflecting on the role of the artist in the rising of 1916, this event will explore the power of the arts and creativity to challenge injustice, individualism and consumerism now.
What is the repsonse of the artistic and creative community to the vexing problems of climate change, social justice and an unsustainable culture?
How can the arts change our sense of what is possible and engage society on climate action?
Can the the arts help convey the strength, optimism, and urgency we need to move to a fair and resilient future?
For full details contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hosted by Cultivate in partnership with Cloughjordan Arts, with support from Tipperary County Council.
Co-Housing: A New Model for Ireland
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- Category: Community Resilience
Co-Housing: A New Model for Ireland
Wednesday 11th May
Full Programme PDF
Cloughjordan Co-Housing in association with Cultivate & Cloughjordan Ecovillage
11.00 - 12.30 Tour of Ecovillage, including the proposed co-housing site, €5
14.00 - 17.00 Cohousing Seminar - WeCreate Workspace, Cloughjordan Ecovillage €20
Following on from last year’s ‘Housing Ourselves Co-operatively’ conference held in October 2015, this event will feature discussions and presentations from people involved in the various aspects of developing Co-Housing schemes. The event aims to bring together those interested in setting up a co-housing project, community development and housing agencies, planners, architects and social finance organisations to look at making Co-Housing a reality in Ireland.
Cloughjordan Co-Housing, who have been working on designing and financing a Co-Housing project in Cloughjordan Ecovillage will share their learning.
For full details and booking see www.cultivate.ie or contact Davie at davie@cultivate.
Learning Journeys and Study Visits
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- Category: Community Resilience
Visit Ireland's Only Ecovillage - Learn about Living and Working Sustainably
Cultivate, in partnership with Cloughjordan Ecovillage, designs and delivers one to five day programmes for groups around a particular topic or topics of interest related to the transition to a low carbon and resilient society. These can include Green Building and Sustainable Energy, Local Food, Food Security, Community Energy Transition, Local Enterprise, Digital Manufacturing, Community Resilience and Sustainable Living.
We tailor the tours for each group and work with them to devise a personalised itinerary on their specific area of interest. These study tours can range from one to several days, depending on the itinerary developed, though we recommend at least two days to allow for a more immersive experience.
Cloughjordan is a traditional Irish village which is now also home to the Cloughjordan Ecovillage. This is where we share our experience and knowledge with groups of all ages, sizes and interests.
Activities are based in the Ecovillage and can include tours, talks, practical workshops and social events in Cloughjordan and the surrounding area. We can also work with groups on transport, accommodation and meals. Groups interested in continuing professional development can participate in industry specific workshops and talks.
For more info, options or booking: email Veronica at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Schools for Resilience Transition Year project
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- Category: Community Resilience
One of the schools we worked with on our Schools for Resilence project was Colaiste Chill Mhantain in Wicklow.
They recently posted a great little video on about their Schools for Reslience Transition Year project.
Cooperatives Event June 5th 2015
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- Category: Community Resilience
*COMMUNITY SHOPS AND PUBS * CO-HOUSING * FOOD CO-OPS * COMMUNITY ENERGY COOPS
* COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE * CAR CLUBS * CO-OP CARE
Date: Friday, June 5th 2015
Cost: €30 (€20 CONCESSION) + €8 Lunch Option. Pay via Paypal
Venue: WeCreate, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Cloughjordan, Tipperary
This timely event will bring international experts, national thinkers and local entrepreneurs together to inspire and support a co-operative approach to nurturing resilience, livelihoods and new enterprises through community ownership.
Tipperary has a rich tradition of cooperative enterprise and in recent years this has taken off with the community tearoom in Loughmore, the co-operative energy projects in Templederry and Drumbane, as well as the many cooperative initiatives in food and housing at the Cloughjordan Ecovillage.
* To book or for more info contact Davie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
How Does a Community Find and Tell Its Story?
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- Category: Community Resilience
A friendly weekend at the WeCreate Workspace in the Cloughjordan Ecovillage, looking at how we can use stories to bring communities together and inspire others.
Postponed | Contact us if interested | Minimum Fee : €30 per day (includes lunch and refreshments) | More detail (PDF)
This background article, What’s so special about storytelling for social change?, will help give context to this event.
We are running this event at minimum cost and with flexibility so that people can attend either day or both (and with a late start too, to fit with trains coming from Dublin). We ask people to contribute what they reasonably can, over and above the minimum fee, in proportion to the event’s value to them.
To book accommodation, please contact Pa at Django’s Hostel in the Ecovillage on 087 256 9348
For further details, please contact Chris Chapman on 087 243 3691
To book a place, please click on this link.
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