Beyond the Call: Motivation and Practice of Northern Ireland's Grassroots Peacebuilders

Northern Ireland’s peace process operates across multiple strategic levels, yet much scholarly attention has focused on top- and middle-tier peacebuilding initiatives, leaving grassroots efforts relatively underexplored. This study examines the role of grassroots peace practitioners, analyzing how personal motivation and professional practice intersect within community-level peacebuilding. Drawing on Lederach’s (1997) peacebuilding pyramid as a conceptual framework, the research highlights the significance of local actors in sustaining peace and addressing the legacies of conflict. By systematically reflecting on past methodologies and practices, this study aims to identify effective strategies that respond to the evolving needs of communities navigating post-conflict challenges. Understanding the motivations, experiences, and approaches of grassroots practitioners not only contributes to academic discourse but also informs practical frameworks for ongoing engagement in divided societies. This research underscores the importance of integrating community perspectives into broader peacebuilding strategies, ensuring that lessons from grassroots practice enhance both policy and practice in Northern Ireland and comparable post-conflict contexts.