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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark are at the centre of a new all-island partnership connecting UNESCO-designated sites throughout Ireland for the first time. The council has secured 100% funding through the PEACEPLUS Change Makers Programme for the two-year 'UNESCO Together' project.
The initiative will establish a cross-border network linking UNESCO Global Geoparks, World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves and Creative Cities on both sides of the border. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is the lead partner, responsible for overall coordination, governance, financial management and communications, with the project delivered in partnership with Cavan County Council and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark.
At its core, UNESCO Together will develop an all-island strategic roadmap for long-term cooperation between UNESCO sites, including exploring a potential UNESCO Tourism Trail that would highlight World Heritage Sites and Global Geoparks as drivers of sustainable tourism, education, cultural identity and community development.
The emerging network will involve all 14 UNESCO sites on the island of Ireland as well as the six Tentative UNESCO sites. Over the course of the project, UNESCO Together will deliver more than 650 participations in cross-border activities, including in-person workshops, community events at UNESCO sites and online exchanges. Creative programmes will also celebrate UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage, including Irish harping, uilleann piping, hurling, falconry and dry stone walling.
The project is supported by both the National Commission of Ireland to UNESCO and the UK National Commission to UNESCO, with a strong focus on peacebuilding, reconciliation, youth engagement and shared natural and cultural heritage.
Council Chairperson Councillor Glyn Hanna said the project had practical benefits at its heart. "UNESCO Together is an important and practical example of how we can work in partnership to deliver real benefits for our communities. This project brings together some of our most significant UNESCO sites and organisations to strengthen cooperation, share expertise and support sustainable tourism, education and cultural development in a way that delivers value for people locally."
Cllr Hanna said he looked forward to seeing communities get involved. "Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is pleased to be leading this work with partners in Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark and we look forward to seeing communities, schools and organisations take part in the wide range of activities planned over the next two years. At its heart, this is about creating opportunities for people to connect, learn and benefit from our shared natural and cultural heritage in a practical and meaningful way."
Ambassador David Brück, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the OECD and UNESCO, said the timing of the initiative was significant. "At a time when peaceful cooperation is more important than ever, initiatives such as UNESCO Together highlight the power of cultural and natural heritage to bring people together, strengthen community connections, and create opportunities for collaboration, dialogue, and understanding."
Matt Rabagliati, Head of Policy, Research and Communications at the UK National Commission for UNESCO, welcomed the project. "Congratulations to UNESCO sites across the island of Ireland on this extraordinary initiative. UNESCO designations are not only places of outstanding natural and cultural heritage; they are also spaces for collaboration, learning and shared action. UNESCO Together shows how sites can work together across the island to build relationships, share approaches and support wider objectives around sustainability, peacebuilding and community cohesion."
Rabagliati added that the commission was glad to be involved. "We are delighted to support this ambitious project through our Local to Global programme, and to work alongside the Irish National Commission for UNESCO to strengthen collaboration across the UNESCO network."
