Feeding Ourselves Partners

Cultivate

Cultivate is an Irish non-profit organization that promotes sustainability through practical education and community engagement. Based in Cloughjordan Ecovillage, it offers courses in permaculture and green technologies and leads projects to strengthen local food economies and community resilience. It collaborates with national and international networks to support a sustainable future.

Talamh Beo

Talamh Beo is an Irish grassroots organization led by farmers and land-based workers advocating for food, fuel, and fibre sovereignty. It promotes agroecology, regenerative farming, and community-led food systems. Talamh Beo is Ireland’s sole member of La Via Campesina, a global movement of over 180 organizations across 82 countries. The organization leads initiatives like the Soil Biodiversity Literacy and Enhancement Project, empowering farmers to regenerate soils and enhance biodiversity through participatory approaches. Talamh Beo also engages in policy advocacy, gender equality in agriculture, and building resilient rural communities.

Open Food Network Ireland

Open Food Network Ireland is a community-owned, open-source platform that connects local food producers, farmers, and consumers through digital marketplaces. Established in 2020, it enables producers to create online shops, manage orders, and collaborate within food hubs, fostering resilient local food economies. Operating as a solidarity cooperative, OFN Ireland offers tiered pricing plans to accommodate various business scales and needs. The platform emphasizes transparency, ethical supply chains, and collective development, aiming to build a fairer food system.

FEASTA

Feasta (Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability) is an Irish think tank focused on promoting systemic change towards a sustainable society. It develops innovative economic models like “Cap and Share” to reduce carbon emissions fairly and advocates for alternative progress indicators beyond GDP. Feasta emphasizes social justice, environmental health, and collaborates on projects supporting local food economies and ecological resilience.

Food Policy Ireland

Food Policy Ireland is an Irish consultancy focused on creating fairer and more sustainable food systems. Founded and led by Ruth Hegarty, the agency offers project management, strategic consultancy, and facilitation services to NGOs, community groups, government bodies, and businesses. Its work supports viable livelihoods for producers, strengthens food culture, and promotes the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Key initiatives include organizing the international food symposium “Food on the Edge” and leading the “Global Goals Business Conversations” project.

Methane Matters

Methane Matters is a coalition of European non-governmental organizations working to significantly reduce methane emissions in agriculture, waste, and energy sectors by 2030. The initiative aims to strengthen EU leadership in implementing the Global Methane Pledge, advocating for robust mitigation policies, enforcement of existing regulations, and the adoption of national action plans across key European countries. The coalition comprises NGOs such as Deutsche Umwelthilfe, Legambiente, ZERO, Green Transition Denmark, Clean Air Action Group, Legambiente Lombardia, Green Alliance, Bankwatch, ECODES, Ecologistas en Acción, Zero Waste France, and Talamh Beo.

EU4Advice

EU4Advice is a Horizon Europe-funded project aimed at strengthening short food supply chains (SFSCs) across Europe by improving and integrating advisory services within national Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS). The project operates through four Living Labs in Ireland, Spain, Hungary, and the Netherlands, where advisors, farmers, researchers, and policymakers collaborate to co-develop practical solutions. EU4Advice works to build a robust European network of SFSC advisors, promoting knowledge exchange, innovation, and sustainable food systems that are more local, transparent, and resilient.

Deep Medicine Circule

Deep Medicine Circle is a women-of-color-led nonprofit in California focused on healing the wounds of colonialism through food, medicine, story, restoration, and learning. Their “Farming is Medicine” program supports farmers as ecological stewards and provides free, culturally relevant food to communities. They work to decolonize food and medicine, return land to Indigenous communities, and offer educational programs blending traditional knowledge with agroecology. Their mission is to restore relationships among people, land, and the broader web of life.

ARC 2020

ARC2020 (Agricultural and Rural Convention) is a European platform uniting over 150 civil society organizations across 22 EU Member States to advocate for sustainable food systems, agroecology, and rural development. Founded in 2010, ARC2020 works to reform the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) by amplifying civil society voices, promoting cross-border collaboration, and mobilizing diverse stakeholders—including farmers, environmentalists, and rural communities. Through campaigns like the “Good Food March,” ARC2020 fosters dialogue and action towards equitable and environmentally sound agricultural policies.

Bioregional Weaving Lab SE Ireland

Bioregional Weaving Lab South East Ireland is a collaborative initiative hosted by GIY (Grow It Yourself) in Waterford, aiming to build a resilient food system that supports biodiversity and thriving communities. Launched in 2022, the lab brings together local changemakers to co-create solutions addressing environmental and societal challenges through workshops, stakeholder mapping, and the development of a shared manifesto. Utilizing frameworks like the “4 Returns”—inspiration, social, natural, and financial—the lab fosters collective impact for systemic change in the region.

CODECS

CODECS (Maximising the CO-benefits of agricultural Digitalisation through conducive digital ECoSystems) is a four-year Horizon Europe project (2022–2026) led by the University of Pisa with 33 partners across Europe. It supports farmers in adopting digital tools by co-developing methods to assess the social, economic, and environmental impacts of digitalisation. Through 21 Living Labs—including one in Ireland—stakeholders test solutions and evaluate outcomes. The project also creates indicators like digital readiness to guide sustainable and resilient digital transitions in agriculture.

Centre for co-operative studies

Centre for Co-operative Studies at University College Cork (UCC) is Ireland’s leading academic institution dedicated to the study and promotion of co-operatives and social enterprises. Established in 1980, the Centre conducts interdisciplinary research, offers educational programs, and provides consultancy services to support the development of co-operative organizations. Its work emphasizes democratic participation, social inclusion, and economic equity, aiming to empower communities through sustainable and locally-owned initiatives. The Centre collaborates with national and international partners to advance the co-operative movement and influence policy for a more just and resilient society.

Community Garden Ireland

Community Gardens Ireland (CG Ireland) is a volunteer-led organization that supports and promotes community gardens and allotments across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Founded in 2011, CG Ireland connects gardeners, community groups, and educators to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration. The organization offers free membership, providing access to resources, training, and networking opportunities. CG Ireland maintains a national map of community gardens, advocates for supportive policies, and organizes events like the annual Spring Gathering. In 2024, their efforts contributed to the legal recognition of community gardens in Irish law, mandating local authorities to consider them in planning strategies.

UAWC

UAWC (Union of Agricultural Work Committees) is a Palestinian NGO founded in 1986 that supports farmers and rural communities across the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It promotes sustainable agriculture, food sovereignty, and land reclamation, providing technical assistance and resources to small-scale producers. UAWC also manages a local seed bank to preserve traditional crop varieties and strengthen food security. Despite political challenges, the organization remains a key advocate for Palestinian agricultural rights and rural development.

Cork Food Policy Council

The Cork Food Policy Council (CFPC) is a collaborative initiative involving Cork City Council, the Health Service Executive, University College Cork, and community groups, aimed at creating a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable food system in Cork and its region. Bringing together diverse stakeholders from agriculture, retail, education, and environmental sectors, the CFPC develops policies and runs programs to tackle food insecurity, promote healthy diets, support local food production, and reduce environmental impacts. Through public consultations, events, and advocacy, it works to ensure access to nutritious food for all while strengthening the local food economy and contributing to the overall well-being of the community.

Cloughjordan Community Farm

Cloughjordan Community Farm is a member-owned CSA initiative based in the Cloughjordan Ecovillage on the Tipperary-Offaly border. Since 2008, it has used organic and biodynamic methods to grow diverse produce for over 90 households. Members pay a monthly fee to support fair wages, land use, and operations, receiving fresh food twice weekly. The farm promotes community through volunteering, workshops, and events, and plays a key role in the ecovillage’s sustainable living model. It also partners in the EU-funded SOILCRATES project to improve soil health and promote sustainable agriculture.

Field Exchange

Field Exchange is a creative initiative based at Brookfield Farm, Tipperary, launched in 2022 by Ailbhe Gerrard and Culture Works. Supported by Creative Ireland, it connects agriculture and the arts to tackle climate change and promote sustainable farming. Through workshops, performances, farm walks, and art installations, it engages farmers, artists, and the public. The program fosters community-based solutions and culminates in an annual festival celebrating the intersection of creativity and ecological resilience.

CSA Network Ireland

CSA Network Ireland is a national alliance of community-supported agriculture (CSA) initiatives established in 2015. It brings together farmers and communities committed to sustainable, local food systems where members share the risks and rewards of farming. The network promotes CSA practices across Ireland by facilitating knowledge exchange, organizing events, and supporting the development of new CSA projects.

TUS Midlands Midwest

The Midwest Student Hub is the central online portal for students at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) campuses in Limerick, Tipperary, and Clare. It provides access to essential services and resources, including academic calendars, timetables, student support services, accommodation information, IT support, library access, and more. This hub is designed to assist students throughout their academic journey at TUS.

Soilcrates

The SOILCRATES project is an EU-funded initiative under Horizon Europe, aiming to enhance soil health and promote sustainable land management across Europe. It establishes four Living Labs in Ireland, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, where farmers, researchers, and communities collaborate to co-create and test innovative practices for improving soil quality, biodiversity, and resilience. The project also focuses on increasing soil literacy and developing policy recommendations to support the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’.

Agretain

The AGRETAIN project is a European initiative co-funded by the Erasmus+ program, coordinated by the Technological University of the Shannon in Ireland. It aims to transform market gardening education by developing innovative, cross-sectoral training resources for students, new farmers, and practitioners. By integrating higher education, vocational training, and farming expertise, AGRETAIN seeks to bridge the skills gap in sustainable agriculture across Europe.

European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is an independent philanthropic initiative established in 2008, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. It aims to tackle the climate crisis by promoting the development of a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions society at national, European, and global levels. The ECF supports over 700 partner organizations through strategic grantmaking, focusing on areas such as clean energy, sustainable transport, and climate policy advocacy, to drive urgent and ambitious climate action.

Irish Environmental Network

The Irish Environmental Network (IEN) is a coalition of environmental NGOs across Ireland, established in 2002. It supports its members by providing access to funding, training, and services, enabling them to engage in conservation work, public awareness campaigns, and policy advocacy. Through these efforts, the IEN aims to strengthen the collective impact of environmental organizations in promoting sustainability and protecting Ireland’s natural heritage.

Environmental Pillar

The Environmental Pillar is a coalition of 32 national environmental NGOs in Ireland, established in 2009. It serves as a representative voice for the Irish environmental sector, advocating for policies that promote sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate action. The Pillar engages in policy development, public education, and lobbying efforts to influence environmental decision-making at local, national, and European levels.

May 22, 2025

Enabling short food supply chains

A workshop was held with the Open Food Network Ireland (OFN) and the CODECS project, which focuses on living labs. OFN is a non-proprotory digital farmers market platform, while CODECS…
Read More >>
May 15, 2025

Local Food Facilitators

Co-Design Webinar | Wednesday 25th June 2025 | 3:00 – 4:30 PM Supports & Training for Short Food Supply Chain Advisors Following the rich conversations at the Feeding Ourselves gathering…
Read More >>
May 15, 2025

Falling Through the Cracks?

Webinar | Tuesday 10th June | 20:00 – 21:30 How Policies & Pathways Can Better Support Ireland’s Local Food Producers. Join this important Feeding Ourselves webinar that asks: what would…
Read More >>

Join the Community of Practice!

Engage in gatherings, conversations, co-learning, webinars, and working groups to strengthen the local food movement in Ireland.

Subscribe to the Feeding Ourselves newsletter

Feeding Ourselves

Pages

Sustainable Ireland Cooperative T/A Cultivate

North Tipperary Green Enterprise Park
Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary
E53 VP 86 Ireland