Our work is focused on four main areas:
Post-Conflict Transformation
The Good Friday Agreement delivered a form of negative peace marked by the relative absence of political violence. Yet, the twin problems of deprivation and sectarian division remain, while the twenty-first century has thrown up a host of new challenges and possibilities. We have long track record of working to advance the prospects for post-conflict transformation in Ireland through:
- Anti-sectarian and anti-racist workplace interventions including mediation, advice and training.
- Grassroots education and dialogue about Ireland’s past, present and future.
- Support for the transition of groups and individuals away from political violence.
- Knowledge exchanges with other countries and regions emerging out of conflict.
If you need help with a workplace issue or wish to discuss any other aspect of this work, please contact Seán: sean@trademarkbelfast.com.
Political Education
The period since the 2008 financial crash represents a historical interregnum in which neoliberalism is dying but a new social order cannot yet be born. One of the reasons for the historic weakness and fragmentation of the left is the lack of political education among activists and the working class more broadly. We are committed to equipping people with the tools for making sense of the world in order to change it. We act as a resource for trade unions, social movements and communities, providing education and analysis on history, political thought, contemporary political economy and alternative futures.
To find out more about our political education programmes, please contact Stiofán: stevie@trademarkbelfast.com.
Economic Democracy
Concentrated private ownership of society’s resources has fuelled inequality, obstructed climate action, undermined democracy and led to a resurgence of authoritarian and far-right politics. Our work looks to promote democratic ownership of the economy through:
- Grassroots cooperative development offering strategic advice, training and capacity support.
- Education and awareness-raising on the need for and benefits of economic democracy.
- Building coalitions for promoting models of worker, community and public ownership.
- Research and best practice advice on strategies for sustainable economic development including Community Wealth Building.
If you need help starting or growing your cooperative business, or want to work with us in building a democratic economy, please contact Alice: alice@trademarkbelfast.com.
Community Capacity Building
To create a sustainable and democratic future, we need an infrastructure of local spaces and organisations that enable collective learning, strengthen marginalised voices and foster community power. We provide community-based organisations with capacity building support in areas including governance, financial management, funding, training, networking and strategic planning.
If you are an organisation that needs this kind of support, please contact Alyson: alyson@trademarkbelfast.com.
Our Team
Alice McLarnon
Alice joined Trademark in 2006 and has been involved in community development for over twenty-five years. She completed her degree in Professional Development at the University of Dundee in 2005, and was awarded a MEd in 2012 having undertaken a study on the reintegration of ex-political prisoners. Alice is an experienced cooperative development consultant and founding member of the Belfast Cleaning Society, Northern Ireland’s first cross-community worker-owned cooperative and winner of the inaugural Living Wage Award.
Alyson McLarnon
Alyson joined Trademark in 2022 after working with the public for over a decade in the retail sector. In 2018 she completed her degree in Media & Film Studies at Queen’s University Belfast. She is a key part of the team organising the annual Scoil Chois Claí festival and works with Trademark’s partner organisations on capacity building, financial systems and back-office support. A committed activist, Alyson is also a volunteer with Alliance for Choice.
Seán Byers
Seán joined Trademark in 2013, having just completed a PhD in Politics at Ulster University. A labour historian by trade, he has experience of researching and writing on a range of subjects including racism and the far right, post-conflict transition, trade union strategy and the new economy. Seán is an active member of Unite and delegate to Belfast Trades Council, as well as sitting on the board of Financial Justice Ireland.
Stiofán Ó Nualláin
Stiofán founded Trademark in 2001 with Joe Law, both having previously worked for ‘Counteract the anti-intimidation unit of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ and is a long time member of Unite. Stiofán worked for International Voluntary Service in the former Yugoslavia from 1993 until 1998. He has a PhD was on the theme of Republican and Loyalist political discourse, a Masters in International Human Rights Law and is an Irish language speaker and activist.