Community Gardens Ireland
Supporting Community Gardening in Ireland and Northern Ireland
Welcome to Community Gardens Ireland (CG Ireland), a voluntary organisation that was created in 2011 as an online support network. We are an independent, inclusive group that works with all agencies and groups that promote environmental awareness and support community gardening and food growing in all parts of the island of Ireland.
Our Vision
That social community garden spaces are created in every village, town and city in Ireland and Northern Ireland, creating opportunities to empower local communities and provide outdoor environmental places of education where people of all ages, genders, nationalities and socio-economic backgrounds can learn about gardening, food growing and food sovereignty, the environment, biodiversity, climate change, sustainability, community resilience, as well as about the positive mental implications and physical health benefits of being outside in nature and being sociable around food.
Our Mission
CG Ireland’s mission is to work with all other government and non government agencies across the island supporting and establishing community gardens, individually and jointly promoting nature and the environment, sustainability, food education and food health as well as the social benefits of community gardening to encourage positive social change and inclusion in all it’s forms.
Our Values
Recognising that community gardens have a valuable part to play in helping communities across Ireland learn about food, nature and the environment, CG Ireland will:
- actively collaborate with other organisations to encourage positive social change;
- advocate inclusion in all its forms as well as environmental, food, health and dietary awareness;
- encourage all member community gardens to follow organic principles and protect biodiversity, promoting good environmental practice and awareness.
Our Aims
CG Ireland aims to promote, facilitate and enhance community gardening and food growing, sustainability and environmental initiatives. We support, represent and promote the work of new and existing community gardens throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland by providing information, guidance and advice, enabling the gardens to flourish and develop strong and positive reputations; helping to empower local people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to make positive impacts on their surrounding areas and strengthen their communities.
We aim to meet at least twice a year in various locations around the country. Whether you’re a community gardener, a community gardening tutor or coordinator, or just interested in setting up a community garden in your own neighbourhood in Ireland or Northern Ireland, you’re very welcome to attend. Please sign up for the newsletter to keep up-to-date with these events.
CG Ireland is coordinated and run by a committee of volunteers who are working with and are passionate about community gardening. We are in the process of applying for funding streams, so in the meantime, please be gentle with us if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for help and advice, everyone is friendly in our Facebook Group and usually willing to engage or share advice. If you’d like to help us promote your community garden, please let us know!
There’s no better time to get involved with a community garden as we become more aware of food sources and food security as well as all the wonderful benefits of working together, growing and gardening outdoors in nature with friends.
If you haven’t found out the benefits of community gardening just yet, or aren’t sure what they are, take a look at our Benefits section and find out many of the reasons why we do it.