County Cavan has been selected as the Irish pilot location due to its clear climate vulnerabilities and strong local readiness for action. Situated in the north of Ireland, Cavan is a small county of around 82,000 people, currently transitioning from a predominantly rural and agricultural area to a more semi-urban and ethnically diverse region. Its distinctive drumlin landscape and network of 365 lakes make it uniquely beautiful, but also highly exposed to the impacts of climate change.
Cavan County Council has identified several vulnerable groups already facing the effects of these changes. Farmers, for instance, are increasingly affected by extreme weather events, soil nutrient loss, and livestock heat stress, sometimes with fatal consequences—such as a recent lightning strike that killed ten cattle. Rural communities and older adults are also particularly at risk, as ageing housing and limited access to services can make extreme weather events more dangerous and harder to recover from.
Recent climate data reinforces the urgency of the situation. Between 2006 and 2022, pluvial flooding increased by 24% and river flooding by 15%, with heavy rainfall in July 2022 even triggering a landslide on Benbrack Mountain. Windstorms have risen by 29% over the same period, with Storm Eowyn in 2025 bringing winds of up to 115 km/h, causing prolonged power outages and property damage. Heatwaves and droughts are also on the rise, increasing by 9% and 6% respectively. In July 2022, Ballyhaise recorded a temperature of 30.8°C, and by September 2025, water restrictions had to be introduced.
These escalating risks highlight the need for climate adaptation efforts to be scaled at a national level, with Cavan serving as a crucial testing ground. This pilot aims to foster long-term behavioural change among educators, students, citizens, and policymakers. Through a combination of blended learning, specially designed AI tools, participatory design, and creative practices, it seeks to empower local communities to take meaningful climate action while generating insights that can be applied more broadly across Ireland.
What makes this approach particularly unique is the way it brings together a diverse range of participants—educators, students, youth workers, citizens, and policymakers—who do not often engage in climate adaptation learning collectively. By combining creative tools with interactive storytelling and blended learning, the pilot moves beyond traditional awareness-raising models. It focuses specifically on communities in Cavan that are already experiencing climate impacts but are often underrepresented in national initiatives. By working directly with these groups, the project ensures that its approach is grounded in real local needs, while also producing knowledge that can inform policy and practice at a national level.
As the pilot begins, there is a strong sense of anticipation around how creative approaches will shape engagement. In particular, tools such as storytelling, cinematherapy, visual art, performing arts, and participatory design are expected to help people connect emotionally with climate challenges, making the issue more tangible and personal. There is also excitement about seeing over a year of collaborative work finally come to life, as ideas and planning transition into real-world action.
One of the key activities planned within the pilot is a community performance titled “What Are We Aetin’?”. Developed with local participants, this performance explores the environmental impact of food miles and the importance of sourcing locally grown produce. Blending storytelling, humour, and lived experience, it aims to spark reflection on everyday food choices and their wider consequences. This creative and participatory approach has strong potential to shift behaviours in a positive way, encouraging more sustainable consumption patterns while opening up meaningful conversations about food systems and the often-hidden environmental costs of non-local produce.
The early response from those involved already points to strong interest and relevance. As one participant noted: “Yes, I think this is something that our school would be interested in, especially TY students, as they are studying a module called Global Citizenship and Sustainability.”
