Leading the Way

Delivered by Blu Zebra Limited

Leading the Way launched in July 2020.

This project worked with a wide range of groups in the development Leadership skills for Peace building across Louth and in conjunction with cross border partners. It aimed to increase understanding and appreciation of other cultures and communities, and to build positive and sustainable relationships.

As a result of Covid 19 restrictions, workshops were held online and site visits were done virtually. Despite the move to online, participants were able to engage and speak openly and honestly with one another, resulting in high quality and fruitful debate and discussion, alongside new relationships. 

A branch of this programme focused on the integration of ethnic minorities in County Louth. It included representatives from a wide range of different ethnic minority communities across County Louth. Participants received Leadership skills training and explored integration projects in Lisburn and Fermanagh.

A second branch of this programme included music based organisations representing different genres from traditional Irish music and orchestra groups, a Scottish pipe band, and modern pop music. Participants explored each others musical traditions and their understanding of each others cultures. 

The role of Church and State in peacebuilding was explored in the third branch of this project. It explored the concept of establishing an informal network of churches across County Louth with a focus on the role of churches and faith in community development. The discussed building relationships across different church denominations and across different faiths, through focusing on common interests linked to the everyday lives of people on building friendships and investing in those relationships. 

The fourth and fifth groups focused on the role of the Local Authority in the promotion of peacebuilding, and how social enterprises can help build peace within local communities. This programme included talks from Derry City and Strabane District Council, a social enterprise in Lisburn, and from The Executive Office's Urban Village Initiative, all of which helped to identify different area based approaches to addressing complex issues and addressing the challenges faced in communities in County Louth. 

The closing event was held in May 2022, via Zoom.