Community changemakers in Donegal are being invited to feature in exhibitions and a documentary about Ireland’s response to the Climate Crisis.
Stories of Change, one of only 16 projects funded by the new Creative Ireland Climate Action Fund, is an exciting new project that uses stories, food and photography to showcase feasible, practical and community-driven solutions to the climate crisis.
A team of educators, chefs and photographers are going on tour this summer to four Irish counties; Donegal, Kerry, Clare and Galway with seven partners BurrenBeo, Leave No Trace, Climate Ambassadors, Artlink, SeaSynergy, Essentially Eco and Wildstrands.
Their mission is to bring stories and solutions to the table, to flip the current climate narrative from doom and destruction to inspire community-led climate action.
The project will result in four portrait photo exhibitions, a documentary that highlights key people doing good work for the people and planet and a website featuring stories and solutions of local people, doing good things for Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share.
Stories of Change will be launching their first community photo exhibition with Artlink at Fort Dunree this July, with eco-workshops, local storytelling, and a feast created by William McElhinney from Wildstrands.
William believes in the importance of our connection to food heritage and culture and its role in our own health and the health of our planet. Martha McCulloch, one of Artlink’s Co-ordinators says ‘’Artlink is privileged to be part of this ambitious, optimistic, national project. We believe that creativity is crucial if we are to think of new ways to deal with the challenges posed by the climate crisis. Creative thinking can support transformative action and help us imagine a better world”
Speaking about the project Laura-Kate Howells The Project Lead says ‘’The narrative around climate change is often scary and can leave us feeling overwhelmed, disempowered and questioning where to start. It’s important to remember that we are not going into this blind. We have an incredible network of people here in Ireland that are making, creating, advocating and designing solutions for a better future. Donegal is thriving with good people doing good things for the climate. This project is about promoting those people, sharing their stories and celebrating their solutions to inspire community-led climate action’’.
Stories of Change is calling out to businesses, eco-entrepreneurs, individuals, volunteers, community groups and youth groups in Donegal doing something good for people and the planet to nominate themselves or others to feature in the Stories of Change project.
Think people recording climate podcasts, communities setting up seed swaps, farmers creating biodiversity corridors, eco entrepreneurs designing food waste apps, fashion advocates campaigning for workers’ rights to community groups doing litter picks. Writers writing books on Ireland’s biodiversity, businesses committing to clean and green energy to zero waste shops and cafes committing to local produce. No story too quirky, no action too small. To make your nomination (or nominate yourself) please email essentially.eco.ie@gmail.com with your name and your contact details by Monday 20th March.
Follow Stories of Change on their nationwide journey on Instagram @stories_of_change_ Website storiesofchange.ie
