Seeds of Change: GAP to start new programme in Monaghan

At Global Action Plan Ireland, we believe that meaningful change grows from the ground up – quite literally.

That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new ‘Connect And Grow’ community garden programme in County Monaghan, in partnership with Monaghan County Council and funded by PEACEPLUS, a programe managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). 

This exciting new initiative builds on the success of GAP’s GLAS Community Garden model and brings that same unique combination of social inclusion and environmental education to towns and villages across Monaghan.

Why Community Gardens?

We often think of climate action, mental health, education and social inclusion as separate challenges. But in reality, they’re deeply interconnected, and community gardens are uniquely positioned to address them all.

Community gardens offer far more than just food. They are places where people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures can come together, share knowledge, get their hands in the soil, and reconnect with nature, and with each other.

Supporting Communities, New and Established

Monaghan County Council has been at the forefront of community climate action, and its collaboration with GAP reflects a shared commitment to supporting local groups in creating a more resilient and sustainable future. Through the programme, community members will have access to expert guidance, training and resources to enhance and expand their gardens’ role within their towns and villages.

This initiative is funded through the PEACEPLUS Programme, a €1.1 billion investment managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) that supports peace building and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, including Monaghan.

GAP’s ‘Connect and Grow’ project in Monaghan is part of a broader programme, managed by Monaghan County Council and funded through PEACEPLUS. The programme is a county-wide regeneration and peacebuilding initiative that strengthens shared spaces, promotes inclusion and wellbeing, and brings people from all backgrounds together through youth engagement, community connection, cultural celebration and collective action.

If you’re part of a community group in Monaghan, or simply someone passionate about growing food, growing connections or growing change, we’d love to hear from you.