ABSTRACT
The Northern Ireland conflict is fueled by interlocking cultural, economic, historical, political, and psychological factors. Local peacebuilders use their skills and practices to engage and work with many allies and partners across class, ethnonational, gender, and religious barriers to nurture constructive cross-communal relationships as well as building local capacities and empowering marginalized communities. The chapter covers how peacebuilders felt funded projects had worked out regarding community development, the social economy, and peacebuilding and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland. It highlights that local peacebuilders have agency, feel empowered, and often take enormous risks to work cross-communally to build peace and challenge oppressive structures. It also includes how civil society organizations work collaboratively with allies and partners to build peace locally.
