The project also includes opening up green spaces and year-round events
The Connswater Greenway(Image: David Young/PA Wire)
A new project in East Belfast is offering residents the chance to grow their own food and shape how climate action could improve their community and the lives of people in it.
Working with communities across the east of the city, the EastSide Climate Action project from EastSide Greenways will use the 16km Connswater Community Greenway to engage up to 40,000 residents.
By supporting community-led climate projects and action plans, the initiative will boost local skills, improve wellbeing, strengthen neighbourhoods and help ensure the Greenway continues to benefit people, nature, and the city’s transition to a sustainable future.
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The project will help local people act on climate change by opening up green spaces, offering food-growing initatives, and providing hands-on climate activities. Residents can take part in a community food-growing and orchard pilot, year-round Greenway events, volunteering, and citizen science projects monitoring soil, habitats, and water quality.
Through workshops, awareness campaigns, and training, the project will make climate action accessible, engage local people, amplify marginalised voices, and ensure community priorities are at the heart of practical solutions.
The climate action project will be delivered in partnership with Queens University Belfast, Belfast City Council and East Belfast Community Development Agency. It has received £1.3 million in funding over five years from The National Lottery Community Fund.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly said: “I am delighted to see this significant award from the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund which will help the EastSide Partnership to engage with local residents and start some really important conversations about climate change – something that affects us all.
“Belfast City Council supports multiple projects to help us understand ways in which the city can improve resilience to climate change and protect its future in line with our Resilience Strategy and Climate Action Plan. It will be great for local communities to have an input into what they can do locally to promote sustainability, grow their own food, create green spaces and develop the knowledge and skills they need to prioritise practical climate-driven projects at a grassroots level.”
Michele Bryans, Chief Executive EastSide Partnership added: “We are incredibly grateful to National Lottery players and The National Lottery Community Fund for their generous £1.3 million support for the EastSide Greenways Climate Action project.
“This funding, alongside our valued partners, including Queens University Belfast, Belfast City Council, East Belfast Community Development Agency and local community groups, will empower east Belfast residents to lead climate action projects, grow greener spaces, strengthen our communities as well as continue with the invaluable work on the Connswater Community Greenway. We’re excited for the next five years of collaboration, learning, and meaningful impact for everyone in our community and the environment.”
Kate Beggs, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “It’s fantastic that communities in east Belfast will have a say in how climate action can improve their everyday lives thanks to this project from EastSide Greenways.
“We are proud to have invested significantly in east Belfast, and this project continues the legacy of our £23.5 million support of the Connswater Community Greenway by empowering and helping local communities who need it most. Through practical support like creating green space and developing food growing skills, communities can take ownership of actions that can have an impact on their wellbeing and confidence, as well as helping the planet.”
Professor of Public Health and Planetary Health at Queen’s University Belfast, Ruth Hunter added: “The Connswater Community Greenway is an important example of how climate action, urban regeneration and public health can work together.
“Our research has shown that improving access to high-quality green and blue spaces can support physical activity, mental wellbeing and stronger communities. This new investment through the Climate Action Fund is a valuable opportunity to continue learning from the Greenway and to strengthen the evidence on how climate action can also reduce health inequalities.”
For more information on how to get involved with EastSide Greenways visit www.eastsidegreenways.com.
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