GROW It Forward

We can fix the future through food

GROW it Forward is a food education & sustainability programme designed to educate, inspire and empower individuals to grow, share and understand how their local action can deliver global impact. Together, we can unlock the potential of small growing spaces across the world to support the health of both people & planet.

GROW It Forward

We can fix the future through food

GROW it Forward is a food education & sustainability programme designed to educate, inspire and empower individuals to grow, share and understand how their local action can deliver global impact. Together, we can unlock the potential of small growing spaces across the world to support the health of both people & planet.

How Does It Work?

GROW

  • Households, families and community members are invited to take part in GROW it Forward and receives a Seed Growing Starter Kit

SHARE

  • Each Seed Kit contains seeds to share with 4 others; households, families or members of the community.
  • Participants register online form/QR code to receive campaign communications

ENGAGE

  • GIY deliver a communications campaign providing growing advice, as well as tips & tricks to live sustainably and for health of people & planet
  • Participants are invited to download the GIY App and join monthly webinars & advice

INFORM

  • The campaign is designed to support food system knowledge, encourage sustainable behaviours, & inform participants of the impact they can have on our planet (and their own health!)

Measuring the Impact

GIY undertake pre and post programme evaluation in order to understand the Food Empathy impact of GROW it Forward. Food Empathy are the changes in knowledge, behaviour and attitude that happens when people start to grow some of their own food.

"Growing food changed my life. The GROW It Forward campaign got me through the hardest year of my life. I'm so grateful for it. I finally had a purpose on the hard days, and once you're out of bed it's easier to find joy. So thank you very much."
— Molly K | Dublin

Case Study

GIY ran a national campaign pilot in Ireland in 2021 funded by the Department of Health (Healthy Ireland) in partnership with the National Library network.

Education & Engagement:

  • 50,000 seed kits were distributed to households in towns, villages & cities through online registration and via the local library network.
  • The campaign engaged 218,500 people across Ireland, supporting them to grow, share and adopt more sustainable behaviours.

Impact & Outcome:

Almost a quarter of a million people started on their food empathy journey

  • 94% of those who participated reported that they will continue to grow food.
  • 87% of those who participated in the programme are more likely to adopt pro-environmental behaviours
  • 80% of participants shared their growing experience with others.

Research by University College Cork using data from GROW it Forward concludes that “growing food… decrease(s) the likelihood of wasting food, supporting a shift in mindset surrounding how food is viewed and reducing the disconnect between consumers and food that is prevalent in modern society”[Source]

*GIY/UCC social impact survey results

Beans Is How

GIY are a founding partner of the global Beans Is How coalition.

The Beans Is How aims to double global bean consumption by 2028 

As part of this initiative, GIY will support 5 Million people to grow the tiny but mighty, the charming but disruptive food that is the bean* (*also pulses and lentils).

Why Beans?

  • Beans are a simple and affordable solution to the global climate, health and the cost‑of‑living crisis.
  • Beans release 90% less harmful greenhouse gasses than some animal proteins. They also help fix nitrogen to support soil fertility.
  • Tasty & nutritious; beans contain protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals
  • Beans grow everywhere in the world, as a cost-effective food source. (Did you know; dried beans cost on average USD 1.00 per 500 grams and are packed full of protein and goodness.)

Contact us to learn more about the Beans Is How coalition, and our plans to engage millions of people across the world in growing beans.

Delivery Partners

GIY partner with mission-aligned organisations to fund and deliver the GROW it Forward programme across global markets. Under pillars of health & wellbeing, environmental action and social & financial supports (food security, cost of living), we work with our partners to engage audiences at scale and to deliver programme goals and KPIs that support healthy, sustainable behaviours at home and in the community.

Programme Partners

SDG2 Advocacy Hub:
The SDG2 Advocacy Hub coordinates global campaigning and advocacy to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: To end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.

Beans Is How:
GIY are a founding member of the Beans Is How coalition, an initiative that aims to double the production and consumption of beans globally by 2030.

Partners