Annual Reports
Annual Report 2025/26
From Local Action to Regional Impact: NIRN Delivers Circular Boost
Our latest Annual Report highlights the growing impact of Northern Ireland’s circular economy, powered by a network of 65 social enterprises, charities and community organisations.
Our 2025/26 Annual Report celebrates another year of progress in promoting reuse, repair and the circular economy across Northern Ireland.
The collective impact of NIRN members includes:
43,834 tonnes of carbon saved
Over 8,100 tonnes of waste reused
400,000 volunteer hours
673,943 people benefited
Highlights from the year include Northern Ireland’s first Repair Café on Rathlin Island, strengthening our Circular Schools programme, supporting young people through Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Environmental Youth Speak, and working with local authorities and DAERA to explore zero-waste initiatives.
With our network now representing 65 member organisations, NIRN continues to bring communities, councils, schools and government together to drive positive environmental and social change.
Read our Annual Report 2025/26 to discover more about the impact we’re making together
Annual Report 2024/25
Major achievements from the year include:
- Hosted “From Niche to Normal” Conference at Stormont and the first Repair Café inside Northern Ireland Parliament building and a powerful moment for circular economy policy visibility.
- Delivered Northern Ireland’s first ever Repair Week, with 50+ events to celebrate repair and reuse.
- Members diverted over 8,000 tonnes of waste from landfill
- Reuse activities benefitted over 280,000 people, demonstrating wide community reach.
- NIRN expanded to nearly 50 member organisations across all 11 local authority areas, including repair cafés, tool libraries, textile reuse projects and more.
- Introduced new platforms for collaboration, including the Circular Resources Library, enabling member to member collaboration to share best practices, skills and increased knowledge across the sector.
- Launched the pilot Circular School programme to engage young people in waste prevention and develop as agents of change.
In 2024/25, NIRN strengthened its role as a central force in Northern Ireland’s circular economy and turning grassroots actions into measurable environmental, social and economic outcomes. Through collaboration, innovation and community energy, we are helping reposition reuse and repair from niche activities into everyday practices that benefit people and planet.