Empowering Longford designers to rethink waste and celebrate traditional African styles

The EDI Centre has been announced as the Longford winner of Lidl’s inaugural Green Fund.

The organisation has been awarded a €3,000 grant to support the Textile Upcycling Project: Cultural Fusion & Sustainable Fashion, an innovative initiative that combines environmental responsibility with cultural celebration.

Breda Murphy, Manager of the EDI Centre, commented, "We are thrilled to be named the Longford winner of the Lidl Green Fund."

Breda continued, "This grant allows us to bridge the gap between sustainability and cultural heritage, proving that environmental action can be a beautiful and inclusive process."

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She added, "By empowering our local designers to rethink waste and celebrate traditional African styles, we are not only protecting the planet but also strengthening the social fabric of our community."

The Lidl Green Fund was established to support community-led projects that prioritise environmental sustainability and healthy living. 

The EDI Centre stood out for its creative approach to the circular economy, focusing on the repurposing of textile waste to foster integration and artistic expression within the Longford community.

The €3,000 investment will facilitate a unique sustainability programme that transforms Western and Eastern textile waste into bespoke, hybrid fashion pieces. 

By blending discarded fabrics with traditional African dress styles, the project creates a new material aesthetic that symbolises cultural fusion. 

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This initiative not only tackles the growing issue of textile pollution but also provides a platform for local and African designers to showcase their craft, offering them national and international exposure alongside new economic opportunities.

Elaine O’Connor, Head of Sustainability at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, commented, "The Lidl Green Fund was created to support the grassroots projects that form the backbone of our local communities. At Lidl, we believe in playing an active role in the areas we serve, and through this fund, we are able to invest in initiatives that promote social inclusion, sustainability, and long-term community welfare."