Growing Together 2008-2010, a cross-border peace-building programme, wasofficially launched today at the Market House in Blacklion, Co. Cavan. Theprogramme uses the medium of organic gardening to promote better communityrelations in the border counties of Leitrim, Fermanagh and Cavan. Theprogramme is primarily funded by the International Fund for Ireland whichhas contributed €362,192. The programme has also received generous supportfrom the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; the County LeitrimPartnership; and Polden Puckham Charitable Foundation.Over 200 people from the age of eight to 73 years of age are involved inthe ‘Growing Together’ Programme. The gardens are located in two clusters,one around the Fermanagh-Leitrim border and the other around theFermanagh-Cavan border. With the expertise of the Organic Centre inRossinver, Co Leitrim, the cross border ‘Growing Together’ 2008-2010programme has developed into a thriving local network of women’s, schools’and community organic gardens.The Organic Centre in Leitrim has pioneered the use of gardening as amedium for bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to enhancetheir mutual understanding. From its inception, it has acted as a catalystto improve community relations.  The programme has three strands:‘Sustainable Communities’  ‘Primary Schools’ and ‘Women’s OrganicHorticultural Training Project’Speaking at the launch, John McDaid, Board Member International Fund forIreland, said: “We hope that the Growing Together programme will make avery positive difference to the lives of the people of Leitrim, Cavan andFermanagh – three border counties which were prevented from fullyexploiting their true potential for many, many years due to the effects ofthe Troubles.”Andy Hallewell, project manager at The Organic Centre, said: One of themost exciting elements of the programme is it’s focus on reconciliation andpeace building amongst participants.  In addition, “Making gardens close toeach other is part of the sustainability of the programme, for example, ithelps reduce the carbon footprint of our outreach gardeners. Once you talkto someone else in the next village about what they’re growing you have themakings of a local food network. These networks enable people to shareskills, knowledge, food and even recipes. The current economic climatemeans more and more people are interested in growing their own food toreduce cost. Cooking sessions are an important part of the programme inhelping people make the most of what they grow and getting the differentcommunities together in an informal, relaxed atmosphere.”Peace Building is at the core of the IFI programme and according to Mr.Hallewell, during the quieter winter months, the participants will be ableto converse with each other in greater depth about the issues andchallenges of living in the border counties in the early 21st century.Gardens are located at Beleek, Co. Fermanagh twinned with Kinlough, CoLeitrim; Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh twinned with Blacklion, Co. Cavan;  theOrganic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim; the Field Studies Centre,Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh; St. Martin’s Primary School, Garrison, Co.Fermanagh; Belleek Controlled Primary School, Co. Fermanagh; St Patrick’sNational School, Blacklion, Co. Cavan; Kiltyclogher National School, Co.Leitrim; Rossinver National School, Co. Leitrim; St Columban’s PrimarySchool, Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh; and Florencecourt Primary School, Co.Fermanagh. Click here to download press release: 27.00 Kb