What We Do
What We Do
Northern Ireland Resources Network (NIRN) serves as the representative body for reuse and repair organisations across Northern Ireland. We are a member driven organisation which aims to:
Champion sustainable reuse and repair practices as effective methods for reducing waste and developing the growth of the circular economy in Northern Ireland.
NIRN connects community led organisations, charities, local authorities and social enterprises involved in reuse and repair, aiming to normalise these activities in everyday life. Through education, collaboration, and communication, NIRN empowers individuals and communities to embrace a more circular lifestyle.
The organisation supports its members by providing networking opportunities, sharing funding and training information and promoting/organising events. NIRN also works to raise the profile of the reuse and repair sector, promoting its environmental and economic benefits to a wider audience and facilitating connections between those who have resources and those who can reuse them.
Our members share a common goal to reduce waste and its impact on our environment.
Sustainable Development Goals – to transform our world
The world stands united in its determination to protect our planet from degradation. This includes promoting sustainable consumption and production, responsibly managing our natural resources, and taking urgent action on climate change. The goal is to ensure that our planet can meet the needs of both present and future generations.
A Shared Blueprint for Peace and Prosperity
In 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations Member States. This agenda provides a shared blueprint for achieving peace and prosperity for people and the planet now and into the future. At the core of this agenda are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serve as an urgent call to action for all countries—developed and developing—to engage in a global partnership. These goals recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must be pursued alongside strategies that enhance health and education, reduce inequality, and stimulate economic growth, all while addressing climate change and preserving our oceans and forests.
How NIRN delivers the sustainable Development Goals
NIRN has sustainable consumption and production goals at the heart of our vision where reuse and repair is integrated into everyday life. Protecting our planet is not just an option; it is a necessity. As we face the challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, it becomes imperative to adopt sustainable practices that ensure the well-being of both present and future generations. We believe we can achieve this through:
NIRN and its members contribute to building more resilient and sustainable communities by promoting local reuse, repair, and sharing initiatives that reduces waste and promotes community cohesion. Through repair cafés, community reuse centres, tool libraries, and upcycling projects, members empower individuals with practical skills, create local employment opportunities, and provide affordable access to goods and services. These grassroots efforts strengthen social ties, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the self-sufficiency of communities across Northern Ireland.
NIRN champions responsible consumption by supporting a circular economy where materials are reused, repaired, and kept in use for as long as possible. Through the work of our members—including reuse organisations, repair initiatives, and community enterprises—NIRN helps reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and shift behaviours away from overconsumption. By providing practical alternatives to buying new, offering education on sustainable living, and advocating for systemic change. NIRN empowers individuals and communities to adopt more sustainable patterns of production and consumption. Fun Facts
NIRN and its members support climate action by helping to reduce the demand for new products—cutting the emissions associated with manufacturing, transportation, and waste. These local actions collectively contribute to lowering carbon footprints and mitigating global climate change. Through awareness campaigns and practical reuse initiatives, NIRN promotes a culture of conscious consumption that challenges the throwaway economy and supports long-term environmental resilience.
Implementation Progress
Each year, the UN Secretary-General presents an SDG Progress Report. This report is developed in collaboration with the UN System and is based on the global indicator framework, as well as data provided by national statistical systems and information collected at the regional level. This ongoing assessment helps track progress, identify challenges, and adjust strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the SDGs.
More information on the Sustainable Development Goals can be found at : https://sdgs.un.org/goals