Ireland’s North-West City Region launches "Grow Eat Compost Repeat" Local Green Deal initiative

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"Grow Eat Compost Repeat" showcases a circular economy solution for community composting and is a step towards a more sustainable future

17 September 2024 - DEUICC project

Last week, the Ireland North-West City Region, as part of the European Commission's Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC), launched its Local Green Deal (LGD) initiative, titled “Grow Eat Compost Repeat,” at the Clonmany Market House. The initiative, led by the ICC Donegal team, is a positive step forward in promoting a circular economy within the region in the key area of soil regeneration.

The "Grow Eat Compost Repeat" LGD builds awareness, demonstrates and builds capacity for a bio-economy solution where biodegradable food, garden and park waste are converted into high quality microbial compost. This compost can then be employed by communities and businesses alike for soil regeneration. Led by KPM Soils and supported by Donegal County Council, this initiative brings together a large community of businesses, biodegradable garden and park waste donors and regenerative soil users to create a community-wide circular economy solution. Kevin & Claire Moore from KPM Soils, "Our focus at KPM Soils is the regeneration of soil for healthy plants, animals, people and ecosystems. The very existence of all of us depends on soil. We are delighted to be involved in a project which recognises the importance of soil health, and which has presented us with this opportunity to share further with the community what living soil looks like, how we can create it and the benefits it holds for us all."

15 local companies, along with community groups and Donegal County Council, have already committed to the project, underscoring the region's strong dedication to sustainable practices. Among the participants are Clonmany Community Centre, Clonmany Mental Health Association, Clonmany Community Garden, Spraoi agus Sport, Clonmany Community Pantry, Clonmany PreSchool, Acorn Farm Project, Inishowen Co-Op, The Conservation Volunteers, The Square Bar, The Market House Café, Cafe Banba, Clonmany Tidy Towns, Inish Forestry and Simply Inish. The event was attended by representatives from community organizations, social enterprises, local businesses, Donegal County Council, and Saverio Romeo, the City Region’s lead expert from the European Commission, all showing support for this environmentally driven initiative.

Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District and ERNACT member, Jack Murray, joined the signing event, demonstrating his support for the initiative. He shared that, “The Local Green Deal is a shining example of community climate action, highlighting the importance of regenerating our soil, and using our local resources in a sustainable way to benefit us all. Donegal County Council is proud to support this initiative”.

The Ireland North-West City Region, which includes Donegal and Derry/Strabane, is one of 64 cities and regions across Europe participating in the European Commission's Intelligent Cities Challenge 2.0 (ICC), aimed at advancing green and digital transitions. Saverio Romeo, European Commission expert, “The Local Green Deal is a strategy instrument that brings together local authorities, local businesses, and other local stakeholders to design and develop climate friendly and sustainable solutions for the entire community”.

This event reflects the region’s commitment to the European Green Deal’s goals, using Local Green Deals (LGDs), collaborative agreements between local authorities, business and communities to accelerate sustainability efforts at the local level. Margaret Quinn, ERNACT Programme Manager and NW Ireland City Region ICC Team Leader, commented, “We are very fortunate to have the local capability of KPM Soils on soil regeneration, great support from Clonmany and the wider Inishowen community and the involvement of Donegal County Council climate action team. The approach could be replicated across the county and country to bring significant environmental, health, and climate action benefits.”

Lorraine Arbuckle, Climate Action Co-ordinator of Donegal County Council, “Our Local Authority Climate Action Plan 2024 – 2029 places key importance on community resilience and sustainable resource management in developing our resilience to climate change. This Local Green Deal is at the heart of the Plan’s goals and objectives and is a great example of community working together to realise the co-benefits of climate action”.

Click here to email Maixa Zabaleta at ERNACT for further information

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