Share your experience of conflict and peace through film and photography

For people whose experiences and perspectives have not yet been fully heard, including former members of the security forces and others whose lives have been shaped by conflict and peace.

We are inviting 20 people to tell their story in their own words.

This opportunity may be particularly relevant to former members of the security forces, victims and survivors, people displaced by conflict, refugees and asylum seekers, and others whose lives have been shaped by conflict and peace.

What will I do?

You will be supported to prepare for and take part in a sensitive, participant-centred filmed conversation about your experiences. You will also have a professional portrait taken.

Possible themes include:

• Developments after the ceasefires and leading up to the Good Friday Agreement
• What peace means today
• Current challenges to peace
• Hopes for the future of peace

You will remain in control of what you are comfortable discussing and sharing. Every story will be handled sensitively and with care.

What is the commitment?

The full participant journey will involve approximately eight hours, spread across different activities. This is expected to include preparation, the filmed conversation, the portrait session and opportunities for reflection or dialogue connected with the project and exhibitions.

Exact dates and locations will be arranged with participants, with the aim of making participation as accessible and straightforward as possible.

What will the project create?

The finished films and portraits will be made available online. The portraits will also feature in four public exhibitions, two in the Republic of Ireland and two in Northern Ireland, accompanied by talks and discussion events.

Women’s creative writing and photography

For women who would like to explore and share their personal and community stories. No previous writing or photography experience is needed.

We are inviting 12 women to join a warm and supportive creative project exploring women’s personal and shared histories, including their experiences as women, neighbours and peacebuilders.

What will I do?

The project will include:

• Six two-hour creative writing workshops
• Two three-hour photography workshops
• One filmed reading session

The writing workshops will help you explore your own story, your community’s story and the shared experiences of women in this region.

During the photography workshops, you will explore how images can complement and help communicate those stories. At the end of the project, participants will be invited to read or present selected pieces in a relaxed and supportive filmed session.

What is the commitment?

The complete programme will involve approximately 20 hours of activity. Participants must complete at least 12 hours to take part fully in the programme.

Dates and locations are currently being arranged. Activities will take place within the Shared Narratives project area and will be completed by June 2027. Full details will be shared with participants before they are asked to confirm their attendance.

What will the project create?

Participants’ writing and photography will contribute to a published book or resource, which will also be available online. Selected readings will be professionally filmed and shared online.

Women’s Shared Island discussions

For women from diverse and often underrepresented communities who want to contribute their perspectives on the future of the island.

We are inviting 60 women from diverse and often underrepresented communities to take part in the Women’s Shared Island Discussions.

This opportunity is particularly for displaced women, women from migrant and refugee communities, Traveller women, LGBTQIA+ women, disabled women and women from different ethnic, cultural, social and political backgrounds.

You do not need specialist knowledge of politics or constitutional issues. Your experiences, ideas and perspective are what matter.

What will I do?

You will join facilitated discussions exploring questions such as:

• What could a shared island or “New Ireland” look like?
• What would women want its future to look like?
• What matters to you, your family and your community?
• What role should women have in shaping what comes next?
• What could future constitutional arrangements mean in everyday life?

The discussions will be framed neutrally and inclusively. The purpose is not to promote any particular political or constitutional outcome. It is to create a respectful space where different views can be heard.

What is the commitment?

Four workshop days will take place in total, two in County Louth and two in Northern Ireland. Each participant will normally attend two workshops: an initial discussion and a later session to review and develop the emerging findings.

Dates and exact venues are still being confirmed. We will take participants’ locations into account when planning the workshops and will provide full details before asking anyone to confirm their attendance.

What will the project create?

The ideas and experiences shared during the workshops will shape a published report or resource about women’s perspectives on the future of the island.

Participants will have an opportunity to review and sense-check the emerging findings before the report is finalised. The completed report will be published online.