Shared Narratives

Shared Narratives

Has your life been shaped by conflict?
Your story matters.

Shared Narratives is a cross-border peacebuilding programme bringing together people from different communities and perspectives to share their stories, listen to others and build new connections.

Through film, photography, creative writing and facilitated discussions, the programme explores experiences of conflict and peace, the stories that shape our communities and our hopes for the future.

There are several ways to take part in Shared Narratives. You can indicate which opportunity interests you when you complete the enrolment form.

There is no fee to take part in Shared Narratives activities.
Complete the enrolment form

Completing the form does not commit you to taking part if the dates or arrangements do not suit you.

How can I take part?

We are currently recruiting for three different Shared Narratives opportunities. Have a look below to see which one feels most relevant to you. Please select one opportunity on the enrolment form. Each person can take part in one element only.

Opportunity 1

Stories of Peace and Conflict

We’re inviting people whose lives have been touched by conflict or peace, including former security forces personnel, to share their experiences.

What will I do?

Participants will take part in a sensitively handled conversation and have a professional portrait photograph taken, respecting what each person feels comfortable sharing. Filming is optional.

The portraits will feature in public exhibitions in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and the films and portraits will also be shared online.

Time commitment Approximately 8 hours, spread across different activities.
Dates and locations To be confirmed.

Taking part is free, and dates and locations are to be confirmed.

Complete the enrolment form
Opportunity 2

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 reading session. Filming is optional.

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.

Participants will be invited to read or present selected pieces in a relaxed and supportive session. Filming is optional.

Full programme Approximately 20 hours of activity.
Minimum participation At least 12 hours.

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 book, which will also be available online. Filming is optional, with any filmed readings shared online.

Complete the enrolment form
Opportunity 3

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.

Expected commitment Approximately 16 hours in total.
Minimum participation 10 hours.

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.

Complete the enrolment form

Other Shared Narratives opportunities

Shared Narratives also includes opportunities involving theatre, young people and documentary storytelling. Some of these activities are being arranged directly with schools or community partners, while others will open to the public later in the programme. You can indicate your interest on the enrolment form and we will keep you informed as plans develop.

Documentary about former political prisoners and peacebuilding

A new documentary will explore the role that former political prisoners from republican and loyalist backgrounds have played in building and sustaining peace.

The project will involve 20 participants, including former political prisoners and their children or grandchildren. Participants will take part in filmed conversations and intergenerational dialogue, creating a record that can be shared with younger generations.

Participation will involve approximately six hours, spread across filming and related project activities. The finished documentary will premiere at a public screening and will then be made available online.

Because of the sensitive nature of this work, recruitment is taking place mainly through trusted partner organisations. People with a direct connection to the project can indicate their interest on the enrolment form or contact Imelda McAloon in confidence at imelda@eventwiseni.com .

Schools and young people

Shared Narratives will work with selected secondary schools to help young people explore stories of conflict and peace, build relationships with people from different backgrounds and consider what peace means to their generation.

The programme is intended for secondary school students. Students will take part in facilitated discussions and create their own digital stories and reflections, with the exact format developed as the programme takes shape.

Each participating group will complete either one full-day session or two half-day sessions. A teaching toolkit will also be created so that schools can continue using the learning in future years.

This opportunity is being arranged directly with schools rather than through individual student enrolment. Teachers or school leaders interested in finding out more can contact imelda@eventwiseni.com .

A new Shared Narratives stage play

A new play is being developed exploring peace, identity, changing communities and what the future of this island might look like. It will draw on the experiences of people who lived through the conflict and the perspectives of younger generations.

Seven public performances are planned. Each event will include a welcome and networking session, the performance and an opportunity for the audience to take part in a discussion afterwards.

Two of the performances will focus particularly on the experiences of security forces who worked in the border region. These performances will be followed by question-and-answer sessions with former members of the security forces.

Public audience enrolment will begin in summer 2027. Dates and venues will be announced nearer the time. You can indicate your interest on the enrolment form if you would like to hear when places become available.

Complete the enrolment form

What happens when I enrol?

The enrolment form allows you to tell us which Shared Narratives opportunity interests you. It asks for the information needed to enrol you in the programme, meet PEACEPLUS monitoring requirements and understand any support needs you may have.

1

The Shared Narratives team will review your information.

2

We will contact you with more detail about the opportunity you selected.

3

We will share dates, locations and practical arrangements as soon as they are confirmed.

4

You can decide whether the arrangements work for you before confirming your participation.

Completing the form does not commit you to taking part if the dates or arrangements are unsuitable.

Enrol in Shared Narratives

Whether you want to share a personal experience, explore your story creatively or contribute your perspective on the future of the island, we would love to hear from you.

Complete the enrolment form

If you have any questions before enrolling, contact Imelda McAloon, Project Coordinator, at imelda@eventwiseni.com .

About Shared Narratives

Shared Narratives is a two-year cross-border peacebuilding programme delivered by EventWise NI on behalf of Louth County Council and the Louth Local Community Development Committee.

The wider programme will bring together more than 1,100 people through film, theatre, creative writing, photography, facilitated discussions and work with young people.

Shared Narratives is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

PEACEPLUS

Any Questions? Contact our Programme Manager, Imelda McAloon, at imelda@eventwiseni.com.